Let's all hibernate!

More than £59,000 in electricity bills has been saved at Hull City Council through the introduction of computer software which allows staff to 'hibernate' their computers when they're not at their desks.
It's estimated that the 'hibernate button,' which was introduced just over a year ago, has also reduced the emission of carbon gases by around 480 tonnes, which is the equivalent to around 240 hot air balloons.
"It's about asking people to change their behaviour but this is a very simple thing for them to do," says Martin Budd, the council's environment and climate change strategy advisor.
"They just have to click on an icon and there's very little inconvenience because the hibernate button allows computers to re-start much quicker than if they were shut down."
The council is now urging households and companies in the city to investigate ways of saving energy, while at the same time reducing bills and helping the environment.
The computer software cost £29,000 to install on 4,500 computers across the council, but it's estimated it could save £600,000 over the next ten years.
For more information about how you can help reduce climate change visit www.hullcc.gov.uk then follow the environment and climate change links.