$25m climate–change campaign launched in Australia

Families will be encouraged to become "carbon-neutral" by planting trees and other green initiatives, as part of a $25 million climate-change advertising blitz. The Howard Government hopes the national television campaign, staring tomorrow night, will boost its environment credentials. It aims to generate a "feel-good" factor by encouraging households to do simple things, such as turning off their computers, to reduce carbon emissions. But the Government has dropped an expensive plan to mail a booklet to each household, explaining how to "Be Climate Clever". A spokesman for Environment Minister Malcolm Turnbull denied the decision to ditch the booklet was cost-related. Instead, households will be encouraged to use a special internet site. The launch of the campaign comes as the Government battles to rein in Labor's commanding lead in the polls. Voters have been particularly tough on John Howard, believing he is out of touch on climate change issues.