A MAJOR initiative was launched this week to make Petersfield a frontrunner in the battle against climate change. The pioneering campaign led by East Meon's Sustainability Centre aims to make the town a leading light in driving down carbon dioxide emissions. Determined organisers of 'Greening Petersfield' want 60 per cent of homeowners and businesses in the town to show their support by aiming to achieve five of eight energy-saving measures: l Change three light bulbs to energy-efficient ones; l Turn the heating thermostat down by one degree centigrade; l Turn off all equipment standbys; l Walk if the journey is less than one mile; l Boil only the amount of water you intend to use; l Wash clothes at 30 degrees centigrade; lTop up the loft insulation to a level above the rafters; l Reduce water flushed down the toilet. And once people have followed the eco-friendly guidelines, they are being encouraged to display special signs – such as the one printed in the Petersfield Herald – in their windows. The launch of the ambitious campaign took place in The Square, Petersfield, on Wednesday, and organiser Terena Plowright said she was "gobsmacked" by the enthusiastic response from passers-by. She told The Herald: "I must have handed out about 500 leaflets at the launch. Never before has a town joined together in this way to show they are fighting climate change. "It is now a major topic, yet people still think they need to spend lots of money to make a difference. "You don't have to spend millions of pounds on expensive gadgets. It is so simple to make a difference." All eyes will be on the whirlwind two-week campaign which, if successful, could be rolled out across the south by the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA). Mrs Plowright added: "I have really high hopes. This is a massive initiative for Petersfield. "A number of businesses have already shown their support. One new cleaning company has told me that staff are only using green products. People are already beginning to do their bit." The Sustainability Centre is not the only organisation backing the campaign. East Hampshire District Council, the South Downs Joint Committee, the Energy Saving Trust, the Studio@TPS and Queen Elizabeth Country Park are all endorsing the scheme. For further advice, or to get more information, call 0800 512012, quoting code SUS. Or visit the website http://www.earthworks-trust.com">www.earthworks-trust.com or e-mail [email protected]">[email protected]. Meanwhile, a number of events have been organised over the next fortnight in a bid to increase awareness of the campaign: l Sunday May 13: Hampshire Green Fair at The Sustainability Centre, 10am-4pm. Lots of stands and demonstrations about greener living. Buses leave from the square at 10.30am and 1pm. Return trips leave the centre at 1.30pm and 3.30pm; l Monday May 14: Question Time and book launch at Petersfield Community Centre in Love Lane. An opportunity to pose 'green questions' to local experts. Book launch - Terena Plowright will be launching her book Eco Centres and Courses. Doors open at 6.30pm, the event starts 7pm; l Wednesday, May 16: Information available in Petersfield Town Square; l Tuesday, May 22: Where do we go from here? Talk by Andrew Lee, the director of the Sustainable Development Commission, St Peter's Parish Hall, St Peter's Road, Petersfield. Doors open at 7.30pm, talk starts at 8pm. Organised by the Petersfield Christian Ecology Group; l Wednesday, May 23: The count. We start counting the cards in your windows to see how Petersfield took to the challenge.