Greenhouse Gas Pollution

What can YOU do to cut down on pollution?

To reduce your own negative impact on climate change, consider the following tips for your activities at home*:

  • Switch to Green Power (contact your electricity supplier to find out how).
  • Heat, cool and light only the areas you are in at the moment rather than the whole house.
  • Use lower general lighting pus desk lamps and standard lamps where light is most needed. Keep lamps and light fitting clean - dirt build up reduces light output.
  • Return cold items to the fridge imediatley after use. Cooling a 2 litre drink bottle from room temperature generates 10 times more greenhouse gas than opening the fridge door!
  • Turn off your computer screen when you are going to be away from your computer for more than 10 minutes. The screen uses far more electricity than the processor.
  • Walk, cycle or use public transport - do you really need to take the car?
  • Clean out your boot and remove infrequently used roof racjs to improve car fuel efficiency.
  • Compost non-meat food and graden waste rather than send them to landfill.

On a slightly larger scale:

  • Replace an electric hot water service with solar or high-efficiency gas
  • If purchasing a new car consider fuel efficiency, car size and shape
  • If renovating your home, apply the principles of passive solar building. Have your architect or draftsperson work within energy rating parameters.
  • If you are looking at a new cook top or oven go with gas.
  • Install optimum home insulation to minimise heating and cooling costs all year round.

Links for more information on greenhouse gas:

 

* Courtesy of Environment Victoria