For most local children today is the last day of the school holidays. I know many parents I have spoken to are quietly relieved! For those of you not working today I hope it’s a good last day...

Yesterday we had Cabinet at the Olympics site which is truly Amazing. 2012 will be the greenest ever Olympics and the best.

There were many important issues discussed. One of the issues Ed Milliband raised was 10:10. I am pleased to tell you that I have signed up to the 10:10 pledge – a national campaign to get people throughout the UK to cut their carbon emissions by 10% by the end of 2010.

The idea is that through working collectively and each cutting reducing our own carbon footprint, we can help achieve a national cut of 10% in the UK’s carbon emissions by 2010.

The best thing about it is it’s an achievable target – and at the very least could help you save money on your energy bills over the next 12 months! Both the 10:10 website and The national Guardian have advice on how you can achieve the cut, and well worth a read (here and here respectively).

It’s not just for individuals either, businesses and other organisations have also got involved – with the hundreds of companies, educational institutions and public sector bodies already signed up (The NHS, Ocado, Tottenham FC, The Guardian, British Gas and Edinburgh University are just a few examples…) And they’ve pledged to encourage their customers, staff and suppliers to sign up too.

Many people have pointed out that Britain only contributes 2% of the world’s carbon emissions, and ask what’s the point in this campaign?

Yes, huge global reductions in the carbon emissions need to be made to halt climate change, and governments have a big responsibility to fulfil in the coming months and years to ensure this happens.

I’m proud to say that this is one of your government’s priorities – and we are leading the way in developing a ‘low carbon’ economy that can show the rest of the world the way to prevent the worst effects of climate change.

My own department (Department for Transport), where we’re working on cleaner and more energy efficient transport systems, is at the heart of this.

We’re trying to lead the way forward at a governmental level; hopefully this campaign will grow and show the rest of the world what can be done at an individual level.

To sign up, and for advice and help on how you can cut your carbon emissions, visit http://www.1010uk.org/

Red Cross Fundraiser

On Sunday I’m attending a fundraiser for the Red Cross at the house of renowned local architect Nigel Buckie. His ‘Jungle Garden’ – which has been featured in the Guardian’s Weekend magazine - is apparently something to behold. It’s made up of dense plantings of palms, ferns, bananas and bamboos with a variety of tender plants grown outside all year round. The garden also features a pond that has a mixture of fish including Koi carp.

The garden is at 19 Montana Road, Tooting Bec SW17 8SN, and is open to the public from 1.30pm – 5.30pm on Sunday 6th September (I’ve been informed private visits at other times can be arranged by telephone on 020 8682 9300).