Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

Reduce your carbon footprint in your home:

There are plenty of things you can do to help reduce your carbon footprint at home, and the best part is by using fewer resources on the whole, many of these techniques will save you money in the long term.

• Change from incandescent to compact fluorescent light bulbs or even LED lighting to save electricity and improve lifespan.
• Switch to Green Power by calling your electricity provider today. This will take you off the coal-fired standard grid and place you on a renewable source such as wind or solar. While you are at it, offset your gas too.
• Check your insulation. Insufficient thermal insulation may be massively increasing the costs of heating or cooling your house.
• Regulate the temperature of your house by hand, shutting doors, to only heat or cool smaller areas you are using. Use shade cloths and natural breezes to cool your house if air conditioning is not essential.
• Hand dry clothes rather than tumble dry. The Australian backyard rates with the best in the world when it comes to drying your clothes. Use a bright sunny area and well space your clothes for an effortless dry. Well hung clothes also reduce your ironing- so you may be able to save yourself some extra work too!
• Choose energy efficient appliances (good energy ratings will be well advertised by the manufacturers), this can help save you money on your energy bills.
• Use mirrors to brighten inner rooms with ambient light. This means you wont need to switch on lights during the day, and feng shui aside, well positioned mirrors can have a drastic impact on the atmosphere and feeling of space in your home.
• Plant native trees to provide shade and attract birds and animals (free fertiliser). Create a vegetable plot for delicious, cheap and nutritious additions to dinner.
• Conserve water in any way you can. Switch off taps while brushing your teeth. Switch off the water mid-shower while you use soap. If you live in an area with little rainfall, a tank can help save your garden and you money, but starting with a bucket in the shower can be just as successful.

Reducing your carbon footprint at your work or study:

Being carbon conscious at your school or workplace can save huge amounts of resources from being needlessly wasted. It is a great opportunity for you to make an impact that may soon spread to your friends.

• Make sure hibernation and sleep functions on your computers are enabled, and when shutting down, turn off monitors too.
• Speak up if the air conditioner is too cold, or heater too warm as this usually means energy is being wasted. No one wants to study or work in an uncomfortable environment, but often the simplest answer is to dress appropriately for the weather.
• Ask if your building uses sensor regulated lighting for infrequently used hallways, bathrooms, meeting rooms, stores or outdoor areas. Lighting accounts for up to 40% of electrical use in commercial buildings. Motion or occupancy sensors can ensure this is only used when needed.
• Use the off-switch, the most powerful tool in reducing wasted energy. Use a power-strip to help you efficiently power off all appliances at your desk in one deft flick.
• Conserve your paper resources. Its not only trees, but manufacturing and transport resources that are used every time you open a new packet of paper. Set up a scrap paper pile for test printings and non-essential printing jobs. Ensure there is an active recycling scheme at work for your paper rubbish, and chose to use recycled paper yourself.

Reducing your carbon footprint when you shop:

Consumers have more information than ever before at their disposal when shopping. Check labels for the origin and content of food items, and look for products that emphasise their environmental credentials.

• If you are an omnivorous sort, cut the proportions of your meat (its far less energy efficient to produce 1 kg of meat than 1 kg of vegetables). Switch to Kangaroo rather than Beef. It produces less damaging methane, has less impact on the Australian environment, is healthier (only 2% fat), cheaper, and is 100% free-range.
• Shop locally, or as you return home from school or work- why make two trips?
• Bring your own shopping bag. Not just for the supermarket, but whatever you are shopping for. No-one needs to simply throw away another plastic bag.

Reducing your carbon footprint as you travel:

Transport is a huge contributor to the greenhouse gases produced in Australia. Switch to public transport or ride your bike, or if you really have to take a car, offer to car-pool with friends.

• Walk or ride, especially for short local trips. It’s great for your health, stress and wallet, and if you live in areas with heavy traffic you may find you even save time.
• Utilising Public Transport saves stacks of energy and often money too. Reducing the number of vehicles pumping CO2 into the air contributes to everyone’s environment.
• Check your tire pressure (flat tyres can waste 2-3% of your fuel). Ever tried to cycle with flat tyres? It’s not easy, think of the extra energy your engine wastes if your car tyres are flat too.
• Rent close to work or study. No one likes to commute, but as transport costs hit both your wallet and the environment, there is even more reason to avoid a long trip.