Climate Change - how can we make a difference?

Did you know that driving a vehicle to school, work or the shops produces up to 400 times more greenhouse gas (GHG) than someone who walks the same distance?

Australian-grown vegetables bought from the supermarket contribute 100 times more GHG than those grown in your own garden.

Using a clothes dryer, leaving your computer screen on, drinking from a plastic cup - all have the capacity to impact on our global environment.

Just about everything we do every day contributes to the amount of GHG we produce.

It is now widely accepted that humans have accelerated the 'greenhouse effect' or global warming, by pumping billions of tonnes of GHG into the atmosphere.

The impacts on our fragile environment are already being felt world-wide - drought, flooding, erratic weather, higher temperatures and rising sea levels.

What are Greenhouse Gases?

The main 'greenhouse gases' are:

• Carbon dioxide (CO2) - from the decaying or organic matter and the burning of fossil fuels (for electricity production), other burning and the manufacture and curing of concrete.
• Nitrous Oxide  (N2O) - from industry, agricultural fertilisers and car exhausts.
• Ozone (O30)
• Water vapour (H2O)
• Methane (CH4) - from garbage dumps, cattle and other ruminants.
• Chlorofluorocarbons

In Australia, most GHG come from producing electricity from coal fired power stations.  The next biggest emissions come from burning petrol.

Our country is among the highest per capita producers of GHG in the world.

How does GHG affect our environment?

The energy coming in from the sun and the energy constantly being emitted from the surface of the earth to space provides determines the temperature.

Greenhouse gas traps heat when it is radiated from the earth into our atmosphere. The higher the concentration, the warmer the earth becomes.

A portion of CO2 emissions were being naturally captured and stored by the ocean and trees.

About 50 years ago, we started producing more than the earth could handle placing the future sustainability of the planet in jeopardy.

Global temperatures have already risen by 0.6 degrees.

Scientists predict that with a rise of just 2 degrees in Australia, we could lose the Great Barrier Reef, half of the Kakadu fresh water wetlands and thousands of animal and plant species.

By 2030, the Pacific nations and coastal areas of Australia will be directly affected by rising sea levels and some areas of New South Wales will experience a 20 percent decrease in rainfall.

Heat-related deaths could rise by up to 164 percent in some Australian cities by 2050.

By 2070, temperatures along our coast could rise by up to 5 degrees.

(CSIRO, NASA, the Bureau of Meteorology and World Health Organisation)

You can make a difference

Climate change may be a global issue, but the effects will be felt by each and every one of us.

Simple changes to your daily routine and the environment in which you live, will make a world of difference.

Being aware that you have an influence on the climate and our environment is an important first step in reducing the effects of climate change.

• Change your light bulbs! Using energy efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs can reduce electricity usage for lighting by up to 80 percent. One light bulb will save you around $50 on your energy bills and half a tonne of greenhouse gas over the bulb's lifetime.
• Sign up for Green Energy. This means 100 percent of your energy will come from solar, wind or other clean sources. Go to the Country Energy website www.countryenergy.com.au for more details.
• Install solar hot water heating (Government subsidies are available). The hot water system is the greatest user of electricity in most homes.
• Use less hot water. Take shorter showers and install AAA-rated showerheads.
• Energy smart design (eg: skylights, north facing windows) and energy efficient appliances (eg: fan forced ovens/gas heaters) around the home can reduce household energy use by 60-70 percent and save up to $800 annually on your power bill.
• Plant more trees and compost your organic food scraps.
• Walk or ride your bike instead of using your car. If you need a vehicle - carpool.
• Turn lights, fans, heaters and the TV off when you leave a room.
• Recycle glass, cans, paper and plastic.
• Use natural daylight and ventilation - open the window instead of using an air-conditioner. Close windows and curtains to keep the heat in.
• Take 'green bags' shopping instead of using plastic bags.
• Switch off your computer when not in use.
• Hang your clothes on the line to dry instead of using a clothes dryer. Wash your clothes in cold water.
• Use your dishwasher only when it's full.
• Install water saving devices like dual flush toilets, water saving aerators and flow regulators in your taps. Fix dripping taps. A tap dripping 45 times per minute wastes around 1000 litres of hot water a month, the equivalent of ten bathtubs or over $25 per year!
• Rainwater can be used for flushing toilets, watering your garden, washing your car or used in your washing machine - and will help reduce your water bills. It also means reduced demand on our drinkable water supply.

You can also use your voice to make a difference by joining the local Climate Change Australia group.

For more information contact Tony Doherty on 6553 9727.

Useful links:

Climate Action Network Australia www.cana.net.au

Bureau of Meteorology www.bom.gov.au

Climate Change www.climatechange.com.au

Greenpeace www.greenpeace.org.au

Australian Greenhouse Office www.greenhouse.gov.au