MODERN society uses large amounts of energy. A 30pc increase in energy consumption in the UK is expected by the year 2020. Most energy comes from burning fossil fuel producing:

Greenhouse gases (mainly carbon dioxide) leading to global warming and climate changes. The Earth's temperature could increase by 3c by 2100.

Acid rain which corrodes buildings, damages trees and kills rivers and lakes. Power stations and road transport are mainly responsible.

Smog which forms over cities, affecting health and damaging plant life. The biggest cause is road transport.

Nuclear power produces none of these, but instead produces highly toxic, long-lasting waste with no known safe method of disposal. International concern is such that 153 countries including the UK are committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by the year 2000.

The UK Government's approach is to try and reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by improving energy efficiency, and by looking at alternative cleaner power sources. The situation in Bolton EVERY year, three and a half tonnes of fossil fuels are used, and two and three-quarter tonnes of CO2 are produced for every man, woman and child in Bolton.

Trees can help by absorbing CO2, but it would take 76 million trees to cope with Bolton's output.

Nationally, it is estimated that improved energy efficiency measures in homes could reduce CO2 emissions from domestic energy consumption by 40pc.

Twenty per cent of Bolton homes are unfit, and 30pc were built before 1919, so there is even greater room for improvement.

Only eight out of more than 7,000 Bolton businesses have signed up for the Department of the Environment's 'Making a Corporate Commitment' scheme.

Five hundred wind generators could power all of Bolton's homes.

Burning Bolton's rubbish could produce eight megawatts of power every year. Proposals and Targets THE Forum aims to minimise the impact of Bolton's energy use on the environment, and improve energy efficiency by:

Keeping CO2 emissions to levels to 1990 levels

Making more local energy information available

Targeted publicity campaign

Every house in Bolton to achieve an NHER rating of seven by 2006 Every home to have affordable warmth within five years

An energy advice centre

Energy advice and guidelines issued with planning applications

Council and other organisations to set an example by publishing energy saving targets and progress

Investigate alternative energy sources to supply Bolton with six megawatts of power

Promote combined heat and power units. Target 20 megawatts

Encourage the conversion of Bolton's municipal waste incinerator to a combined heat and power unit with the potential to produce eight megawatts of power.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.