Reduce Carbon Footprint

Lately, not a day goes by without Climate Change being front and centre in the media and it never seems to be good news. 

I think we would all agree that Climate Change is a pressing issue that affects everyone on the planet. 

In a nutshell; we are told that the accumulation of greenhouse gases, particularly carbon dioxide, in the atmosphere has caused an increase in global temperatures, resulting in melting ice caps, rising sea levels, and more extreme weather conditions. 

Of course, humans aren’t the sole cause of climate change, much of it can be attributed to natural phenomena, including cows and termites, volcanic eruptions, fluctuations in solar radiation and according to the national environmental advocacy group – Natural Resources Defence Council (NRDC) – even small changes in our orbit have all had noticeable effects on planetary warming and cooling patterns. 

However, climate records are able to show that today’s global warming, particularly what has been measured since the start of the industrial revolution, is happening much faster than ever before and seems to refute the misinformation that natural causes are the main culprits behind climate change.  

Australia is one of the highest per capita emitters of greenhouse gases in the world, with the average Australian responsible for 16.5 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year. 

While we all might feel completely helpless and unable to do anything to change the carbon impact made by big business and industry, as individuals, we can certainly take steps to reduce our own carbon footprint and be in control of our own domains at home, work and travel.  

By helping combat climate change, we can definitely save money on our energy bills at the same time, which makes it a win/win.

 

• Reducing our carbon footprint at home

The easiest way to reduce our carbon footprint around the home is to decrease our energy consumption and not just on an ad hoc basis. To really make a difference we have to commit to implementing some permanent lifestyle changes and improving our habits.  

You’ll be amazed at the difference it will make when you simply turn off lights and appliances when they are not in use and choose energy-efficient models when replacing old appliances. 

At the moment much of the heating in our homes comes from fossil fuels.

One immediate way to reduce our high carbon generation is to try and hang our clothes out to air dry rather than use a clothes dryer. 

I love the smell of fresh sheets that have been dried naturally in the sun and I can’t remember the last time I used my dryer. 

A good mate of mine hates the feeling of towels that stiffen up when sun dried but she wants to change and not use her dryer so much. 

Her compromise is to hang them out until they are almost dry and she just finishes them off in the dryer for a few minutes, which still makes them soft and fluffy. She has noticed a marked difference to her energy bills since she stopped putting them in the dryer wet, which can take 30 minutes or more to dry.

Another way to make a big difference to your home’s carbon footprint and your energy bills is to look at the way you cool and heat your home. 

Obviously, the less we use our air conditioners, heaters and fans, the better and with the colder weather just around the corner, there are other ways we can keep warm without increasing our carbon footprint. 

I did an experiment last winter, where I decided that I wouldn’t run my air conditioner or put on any heaters when it got cold. The only heater I used all winter was the electric blanket on my bed, and I only turned it on for 30 minutes beforehand and switched it off as soon as I slipped between the sheets. 

When I was cold I put on a jumper or some fingerless gloves or a beanie and I snuggled under a rug when I was watching TV or working at my computer.    

This not only made a huge impact on reducing my carbon footprint but a huge saving on my electricity bill too. As a result, I intend to adopt the same principles this winter. 

Technology is constantly evolving and if you don’t think you can live without your air conditioner then it might be worth investigating sustainable air conditioning alternative technology. 

Installing a programmable thermostat can help reduce energy use by automatically adjusting the temperature in your home based on your daily routine. 

We can easily cut our water consumption and lessen our carbon footprint by fixing any leaky pipes or dripping taps and installing low-flow showerheads and toilets.

Simply not flushing every time you urinate will have an enormous impact. 

An average dual-flush toilet uses 3 litres in a half flush and 6 litres each full flush. 

There is a fun ditty that I live by, it was initially coined during one of the California droughts;

‘If it’s yellow let it mellow, if it’s brown flush it down’

In order to save water, only flush the toilet after defecation, not after urination.

Every litre less in a flush will save a family of 4 nearly 6 kilolitres each year (based on 4 flushes per person per day).

Replacing an old single-flush toilet (9 -12 litre flush) with a 4-star toilet (3.5 litre flush) will save 50 kilolitres of water and hundreds of dollars each year on your water bills.

Another way to reduce our carbon footprint at home is by reducing our waste. 

We can do this in many ways, including recycling and composting, using reusable bags and containers instead of single-use plastics, and avoiding products with excessive packaging. 

By reducing waste, we reduce the amount of methane gas released from landfills, which is a potent greenhouse gas.

My brother and I have been recycling bottles and cans in the ‘return and earn’ scheme run by the NSW State Government for a couple of years now, and we have kept thousands upon thousands of bottles and cans out of landfill, and we are just two people. Imagine if everyone did it. 

One of my biggest environmental concerns is the amount of plastic that is disintegrating in our oceans. Millions of tonnes of plastic and waste are constantly being dumped into our waterways the world over, resulting in artificial islands forming and decomposing at sea, or this pollution is being washed ashore in many countries, causing untold damage to all the creatures in our oceans. Millions of sea creatures are getting caught in nets or swallow this dangerous matter and die a painful death. 

It is not just our ocean dwellers that we need to worry about, as traces of plastic have been found in the fish we eat. Plastic micro-particles are getting into the flesh of fish eaten by humans, according to a new study.

A report in the journal Scientific Reports reveals the results from a team of scientists from Malaysia and France, who discovered a total of 36 tiny pieces of plastic in the bodies of 120 mackerel, anchovies, mullets and croakers. 

They warned that as plastic attracts toxins in the environment; these poisons could be released into people’s bodies after they ate the fish. The plastics found included nylon, polystyrene and polyethylene.

The researchers explain that the widespread distribution of microplastics in aquatic bodies has subsequently contaminated a diverse range of aquatic biota, including those sold for human consumption, such as shellfish and mussels. Therefore, seafood products could be a major route of human exposure to microplastics.

Other studies have suggested that shellfish could be an even greater source of microplastic in the human diet. Some researchers noted that it had been estimated that ‘top European shellfish consumers’ might consume up to 11,000 micro-plastic pieces a year. 

Recycling our plastic and cleaning up our waterways are vital for our survival.

We can diminish our carbon footprint by making changes in our daily lives; however, the amount of greenhouse gases that can be reduced varies depending on the specific actions we take and our level of commitment to making sustainable changes. 

Here are some examples of the potential reduction in greenhouse gas emissions that can result from individual actions according to our federal Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water:

 

Around the Home:

* Turning off lights and appliances when not in use can reduce energy consumption by up to 10%.

* Choosing energy-efficient models of appliances can reduce energy consumption by up to 50%.

* Installing a programmable thermostat can reduce energy consumption by up to 15%.

* Reducing water consumption can save energy used in water treatment and distribution and reduce carbon emissions associated with energy generation. 

* Fixing a single leaky tap can save up to 10% on water bills and reduces up to 95 litres of water per day.

 

• Reducing our carbon footprint at work

Similar to our homes, reducing energy consumption is one way to shrink our carbon footprint at work. Turning off lights and electronics when not in use and choosing energy-efficient models can significantly reduce energy consumption. 

Additionally, simple things like decreasing paper consumption by going paperless, printing on both sides of the paper, and using recycled paper can also help.

Another way to lessen our carbon footprint at work is by promoting sustainable transportation. We can do this by carpooling or taking public transport instead of driving alone. 

Additionally, walking or biking to work is an excellent way to reduce carbon emissions while also improving our physical health and working from home eliminates having to travel at all. 

 

At Work:

* Going paperless can reduce paper consumption by up to 100%, saving trees and reducing carbon emissions from the paper industry.

* Turning off electronics when not in use can reduce energy consumption by up to 25%.

* Choosing energy-efficient lighting can reduce energy consumption by up to 75%.

* Promoting sustainable transportation can reduce carbon emissions. 

 

• Reducing our carbon footprint from our vehicles

Reducing carbon emissions from our cars and trucks is critical, as transportation is one of the leading contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. In fact, transport was responsible for 18% of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions in 2020.

One way to decrease our carbon footprint is by simply driving less, but that isn’t always possible.  

Carpooling, taking public transportation, or walking or biking when possible can significantly reduce our carbon emissions. 

If driving is necessary, choosing a fuel-efficient vehicle or a hybrid or electric car will help, as well as keeping your car regularly serviced and using the correct fuel. 

Next time you’re on the road, take note of the cars around you and see how many of them only have a driver and no passengers. 

I’m very lucky to live in Sydney’s inner west, where I am within walking distance from all forms of public transport. I made the decision about three years ago to sell my car and I have not missed it once in all that time.

 

Around the Car:

* Choosing a fuel-efficient vehicle can reduce carbon emissions by up to 20%.

* Choosing a hybrid or electric car can reduce carbon emissions by up to 80% compared to traditional gasoline cars.

* Carpooling or taking public transportation can reduce carbon emissions by up to 90% compared to driving alone.

* Walking or biking to work can reduce carbon emissions to zero, while also promoting physical health.

Overall, the potential reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from individual actions can be momentous. 

 

• Help is at hand 

If you need help in identifying your home’s energy use, there is the Residential Efficiency Scorecard (the Scorecard), which rates your home’s energy use and comfort, and provides tailored recommendations for improvements.

Getting a Scorecard rating from a government-accredited assessor will help you make the best choices by providing targeted information to ensure that any money you spend on upgrades will lead to a cheaper to run, more comfortable home.

During your Scorecard assessment, the assessor will visit your home, discuss your goals and conduct a thorough on-site assessment. They will collect data in the government-supported Scorecard tool of your home’s fixed appliances and features.

The Scorecard provides an energy star rating for your home on a scale from 1 to 10. A high star rating means your home will use less energy, and cost less to run, than one with a lower star rating. 

Currently endorsed by Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS), the Scorecard program is expected to be fully accredited and phased into NatHERS. Until this occurs, all elements of the Scorecard program, including the assessment tool, assessor training and assessor accreditation, will continue to be delivered by the Victorian Government on behalf of all Australian governments.

The Scorecard program is available across Australia, and for more details go to; https://www.homescorecard.gov.au/ 

Reducing our carbon footprint will improve air and water quality, reduce waste and save us money on energy bills and help reduce the impact of climate change on the planet and improve our quality of life.

By making sustainable changes in our own daily lives, we will be contributing to a healthier planet and a more sustainable future for ourselves and future generations…cheers susie