SONG CAN BE DOWNLOADED FROM THE FRIENDS OF THE EARTH WEBSITE: WWW.FOE.CO.UK

PICTURES ARE AVAILABLE

A new Razorlight song has been recorded by Johnny Borrell in support of The Big Ask, Friends of the Earth climate campaign, at the UK's only solar powered recording studio today (30 May). The song, Funeral Blues, has been recorded to highlight the solutions to climate change which exist and which could flourish if the Government introduces a strong climate change law [1].

Funeral Blues was recorded in Studio A at The Premises in Hoxton, East London which is powered by 18 solar panels [2]. It is available to download for free for two weeks from Friends of the Earths website: www.foe.co.uk.

Friends of the Earth led the campaign for a strong climate change law. The Big Ask campaign is calling for a law that will commit the UK to cutting its carbon dioxide emissions by at least three per cent every year.

The Government agreed to introduce a Climate Change Bill in November 2007. However the proposed law is weak and will not ensure the UK plays its part in keeping global temperatures below danger levels. A strong law will force the Government to introduce a range of measures aimed at cutting emissions. This could include making it easier and cheaper for homes and businesses to use solar energy.

Micro-generation systems - such as solar panels, small-wind turbines and renewable heating - have a key role to play in tackling climate change. They have the potential to provide over 100 per cent of a building's energy needs with clean, renewable energy. And any surplus energy could be sold into the national grid. More than half of UK carbon dioxide emissions, the main climate changing gas, come from buildings.

Climate change will be at the top of the international agenda next week when the leaders of world's most powerful countries meet at the G8 summit in Germany.

Johnny Borrell said:

"I really enjoyed recording my first solar powered song - the studio made tackling climate change easy. I'd like to see this sort of thing take off right across the UK. That's why I support The Big Ask, Friends of the Earth's campaign for a strong climate change law. A strong law will force the Government to make it easier and cheaper for everyone to make the most of solar energy - and the many other climate change solutions which are out there."

Friends of the Earth Director, Tony Juniper said:

"The Premises solar powered recording studio - used by Johnny to record his new song for Friends of the Earth - highlights just one of the ways we can tackle climate change. The studio is a one off - we need many more homes and businesses to follow suit if we are going to make the cuts in carbon dioxide emissions that are needed. The Government can help make this happen. To ensure they do we need a strong climate change law that commits the UK to cutting its emissions by at least three per cent every year."

NOTES

[1] For more information on The Big Ask and the climate change law go to: http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/press_releases/draft_climate_bill_publish_13032007.html

[2] The Premises Studio A www.premisesstudios.com

Studio A is the only solar powered recording studio in Europe. State-of-the-art and sustainable, it's powered by 18 photovoltaic panels, which convert light energy into electricity. In one year, the studio will use the same amount of power as it generates. Carbon-conscious artists who have recorded here include Bloc Party, Hot Chip, Klaxons, Lily Allen and of course Johnny Borrell.

Renewable energy sources don't contribute to climate change and provide an unlimited supply of clean and safe energy.

The studio was built on a sub-floor of 100 old car tyres while the doors and windows were salvaged from Enron.

The studio works perfectly, even on a rainy night in Hackney.

Insulation levels are so high that no heating is required.

London is home to 70 per cent of the UK's recording studios - just imagine how much energy could be saved if all of them used renewable power.