Things we CAN DO to help slow climate change

1. Transport - motor vehicles produce 17% of Australia's greenhouse gas emissions and transport is the largest contributor to domestic emissions

• Use the car less and use public transport where possible
• Reduce plane travel. www.chooseclimate.org/flying/emit.html
• Down size your vehicle to what you really need and car pool
• Offset the emissions for the fuel and plane travel you do www.carbonneutral.com.au

2. Electricity Generation and Use - contributes 33% of total greenhouse gas emissions and up to 20% of domestic emissions.

• Change to solar or gas hot water and house heating; insulate your home
• Buy electricity through Green Power - see www.carbonneutral.com.au for details
• Switch off appliances and lights when not required.
• Use low energy bulbs and 'four or five star' rated appliances.
• Use air conditioners only when necessary & keep cooling/heating settings for summer & winter 21- 23 degrees for most efficient use
• Offset emissions through www.carbonneutral.com.au

3. Food - Reduce use of containerized food, drinks, dairy foods and meats

• Eat more fresh foods and vegetables. More fertilizer, nutrient and fuel inputs are required to produce a tonne of meat or milk than to grow the same amount of grain, vegetables or fruit. Cattle & sheep - emit methane (which has 20x the global warming effect of CO2).

4. Waste - Minimize the amount of rubbish you discard for landfill

• Minimize purchases of containers, packaging that will be discarded after little use. About 38% of our waste is paper/ cardboard. Use recycled paper products where possible e.g. toilet paper, tissues
• Listen to the news on TV or radio rather than buy newspapers and magazines
• Recycle paper, glass, plastic and metal waste.
• Use a compost bin or worm farm for food scraps and organic wastes. Avoid putting in the rubbish bin, as they produce methane in landfill.

5. Housing and possessions - Embodied energy used to make your housing and possessions accounts for over 20% of domestic emissions

• Live in an energy efficient house occupied to capacity. When building, use lighter, low energy materials and passive solar design principles and insulate your home.
• Only have possessions that you'll use often. Hire, share or borrow rather than buy.
• Have an energy audit of your home or office to find ways to make it more efficient.

6. Water - water supply is a major issue for sustainability, as the climate dries & warms.

• Install dual flush toilet systems, grey water recycling, rainwater tank/s, AAA rated washing machines (rebates available). Repair leaks. Do not waste water.
• Do not water garden more than necessary, even if you have a bore
• Use mulch and plant native plants in garden and on verge.
• Install water saver shower heads; keep showers short (saves heating energy too)
• Create an environmentally friendly garden by using native plants