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Campaign gets China to switch on to energy efficiency
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-08-02 22:07

On Saturday, the State Council, or Cabinet, released a circular to promote the campaign. Major measures include:

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-- activities to simulate energy shortages to enhance awareness of energy conservation;

-- one day off the roads each week for official vehicles;

-- air conditioner temperature limits in public buildings -- a minimum of 26 degrees Celsius in summer and no higher than 20 degrees in winter;

-- reduced use of elevators and escalators;

-- controls on street and landscape lamps;

-- promoting the use of reusable shopping bags and discouraging the use of disposable products;

-- relaxations of work dress codes to allow cooler clothing in summer.

Last month, Premier Wen Jiabao presided over a State Council executive meeting on energy conservation and emissions reduction, where it was agreed that energy saving was the common responsibility for all Chinese and the promotion of energy-efficient lifestyles was imperative.

The concepts of energy conservation and environmental protection have begun to sink into public awareness, notably after top government leaders were photographed in short-sleeved shirts, instead of suits, last summer.

On Wednesday, 100,000 wrist bands embroidered with eight Chinese characters meaning "energy conservation and emissions reduction -- actions by all people" were given to Olympic volunteers to raise public awareness.

"When more people see energy conservation and environment protection as part of their lifestyles, the efforts will pay off greatly," says Yunnan provincial government energy conservation official Ma Liangju.

In Tianjin to the north, 100,000 college students and volunteers helped collect rubbish along the Haihe River. Senior citizens in the northeast Liaoning Province handed out fabric shopping bags. In the southwest city of Kunming, college students campaigned against disposable chopsticks.

Businesses are acting too. China Mobile, China's biggest mobile telecommunications company, has begun a "green packaging" scheme, aiming to cut consumption of timber by 57,000 cubic meters a year and fuel oil by 1.37 million liters, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 120,000 tons.