Just before 7 am, Yvonne Orgill,chief executive of the BMA, was interviewed on the BBCs flagship Today Programme and unlike the conclusion of many of their hard hitting interviews, James Naughtie told her "That's splendid. How simple. You've explained it admirably."
As the radio interviews for the BBC and many commercial stations continued, both live and pre-recorded from studios in London, the media team followed up with the press to maximise national and regional coverage around the UK.
You may be interested to know that popular BBC news magazine programme, Inside Out, which produces regional programmes that are aired simultaneously is planning a drought special this Wednesday, so the news of the current water shortages, despite the deluge of recent days, will still be making TV news in your area this week.
Thanks go to David Kukzora and Clive Reeves (PRBloke) for making the arrangements and to David for taking the photo.
THE WATER LABEL
Despite deluge and floods government says public must
do more to save water, but Brits admit it is tough
The Water Label, a new consumer ratings system, launched
as minister says public must do more to help reduce water usage.
Despite a month-long deluge and countrywide flood
warnings, the country is still officially in drought and the government is
urging the public to do more to save water. But a survey released today by the
Water Label shows that most Brits have no idea how much water they use and are
finding it difficult to reduce their consumption.
Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman says the spring
deluge will not be enough to replenish dwindling water supplies and parts of the
country will remain in serious drought so we must do our bit.
But the research reveals that changing attitudes to saving
water could be incredibly difficult, with almost three quarters saying reducing
water usage in the home is one of the hardest behaviors to change and over two
thirds saying they have no idea how much water they actually use.
Yvonne Orgill, spokesperson for the Water Label, said:
“One of the biggest water-wastage areas in the home is the bathroom and despite
water saving initiatives in recent years, more than a quarter of those surveyed
say they have not tried to reduce their water usage in the last five years.
“Almost a third still leave the tap running when cleaning
their teeth, nearly a quarter turn the shower on several minutes before getting
in to warm it up, close to a fifth flush the toilet just to get rid of a tissue,
a similar number keep topping up the bath with hot water during a long soak,
while one in ten shower for ten minutes or more a day.”
The poll has been released today to coincide with the
official launch of the Water Label - a new ratings system for all bathroom
products, similar to the energy ratings used on appliances such as washing
machines and dishwashers.
The Water Label will feature on bathroom fittings
including toilets, baths, showers and basin taps and is already visible in over
2,000 stores and showrooms around the UK. The label received official government
approval in Defra’s Water For Life white paper, published in December 2011.
Yvonne added: “Heating hot water for use in the bathroom
accounts for 24% of average household utility bills and 5% of total UK energy
consumption. The Water Label will provide consumers with clear and visible
information when purchasing new products for their bathroom, which we hope will
encourage them to seriously consider the environmental credentials of the items
they are selecting.
“It stands to help consumers financially, as studies show
that the most efficient items in the bathroom can help people save up to £300 a
year on their utility bills.”
Around 80% say they would like to see the Government offer
a financial incentive to people to make their bathrooms more energy
efficient.
For further information on the Water Label, log onto www.water-label.eu.