What you can do
Climate change is happening now, but we can all do something about it!
All Victorians have a role to play in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This section provides practical advice on what you can do at home, at school or in your business to lower your impact on climate change.
What you can do at home
Australian households generate almost one-fifth of national greenhouse gas emissions. Here are 10 simple things you can do at home to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save money in the process...
1. Use less hot water
For the average Australian household, hot water accounts for 16% of total greenhouse gas emissions. Washing your clothes in cold water and only having a four minute shower can make a real difference to your greenhouse gas emissions and use less water.
2. Switch to GreenPower
| For a few dollars more a month, you can use electricity generated from wind, hydro or solar power to bring your greenhouse gas emissions from electricity use down to zero. The Federal Government's GreenPower website has more information on accredited renewable energy products and other useful information. |  |
3. Use the right light
Choosing appropriate energy efficient lighting for each space in your home can reduce your energy use by 75% in some rooms. Installing compact fluorescent light bulbs in high-use areas and switching off lights when not needed are simple changes that have a big impact.
| 4. Choose energy-efficient applicances Use the star rating labels on new domestic appliances to buy more efficient products - with cheaper running costs! The Federal Government's energy rating website contains detailed information on the scheme, along with energy ratings and approximate annual energy costs for a range of appliances. You can also search their database for the most energy efficient appliances for your home. |   |
Almost a third of all Victorian waste that goes to landfill comes from households and public places (like parks). Composting, recycling and bulk buying can see your household waste cut in half.
6. Take public transport, car-pool, walk or cycle
Minimising the kilometres you drive can help make the environment healthier, while saving you money and helping tackle climate change. Metlink's journey planner can help you plan your public transport options for trains, buses and trams.
7. Choose a fuel efficient car
Put fuel efficiency high on your list of criteria when buying a car, and buy a vehicle based on your needs. You wouldn't buy expensive hiking boots to wear every day if you only hiked twice a year – 4WD vehicles use a lot more fuel than smaller cars when used as a town car, making them more expensive for you and worse for the environment.
| Check out the the Green Vehicle Guide for the most up to date information on a range of new and used cars. |
8. Stop losing standby power
Turn appliances off at the power point when not in use – if a light is on, you are paying for it to use power. A simple test you can do before making this change is to check your electricity meter reading at the start of a month and again after two weeks as a baseline. In the last two weeks of the month, try to turn everything off at the wall and then check the meter for any difference in power usage. For some homes and businesses, the results might surprise!
9. Check the temperature of your home
If you are living in a temperature-controlled home, aim to set your heating at 18-20°C in winter, and no less than 25ºC in summer.
10. Draught-proof your home
Enjoy the comforts of a warm home in winter, and a cool home in summer without relying on the heater or air-conditioner. Insulating your home, and using doors to trap warmth in high-use areas or allow breezes through, will keep your home’s temperature naturally more comfortable.
For more energy saving tips and further information visit the Victorian Government's black balloons website!
11. Rent green!
Environment Victoria has put together the Victorian Green Renters’ Guide: Sustainable living tips for renters, to answer a range of questions commonly faced by tenants wishing to live more sustainably . With sections on everything from heating to fridges to food to getting around, it’s designed to help renters make a big dint in their environmental impact. Most of the suggestions can be done on a shoe string budget, and information is also included on government rebates, for renters and landlords.
The renters’ guide also includes a checklist for people looking for a new place to rent, to make it easy to find which property will have the least environmental impact, and the lowest bills. The guide, which was put together with the help of the Tenants Union of Victoria, also includes an explanation of renting law in Victoria.
What your business can do
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions in workplace can have many additional benefits – for employees, managers and shareholders, including:
- lower energy bills
- improved productivity
- a more innovative working environment
Resource Smart Business
Sustainability Victoria is helping to assist Victorian businesses identify, design and implement sustainable energy solutions. For more information on these initiatives visit Sustainability Victoria.
| TravelSmart The TravelSmart Program can assist your workplace implement a green transport plan to reduce the financial and environmental costs of travelling to from and for work. |  |
GreenPower
You can reduce your greenhouse gas emissions, and demonstrate your organisation's commitment to the environment by purchasing GreenPower. GreenPower has also developed guides to assist organisations construct a tailored business case for the purchase of renewable energy.
What you can do at school
Students, teachers and school administrators can all do their bit to lower greenhouse gas emissions and fight climate change!
Have you tried:
- Using the Australian Greenhouse Calculator to measure your greenhouse gas emissions at school and at home?
- Reducing energy use at home and at school- can you install energy efficient light globes, or limit your air conditioner use?
- Choosing sustainable transport- walk, catch public transport, ride a bike or share car trips?
- Learning as much as you can about climate change? Start with the tools and resources below!
Tools and resources
| Australian Greenhouse calculator The Australian Greenhouse Calculator is an interactive software program that enables users to calculate the greenhouse gas emissions and energy costs associated with everyday activities. As well as including an activity book for teachers, the CD-ROM package contains resources and references for both teachers and students. Further information, and an on-line version of the calculator, is available from EPA Victoria. |  |
Energy toolbox for government energy managers
The save energy@school curriculum resources are designed to support primary and secondary teachers to develop teaching programs about energy and the environment. All materials have been linked to the Victorian Curriculum Standards Framework. In addition, the website also contains resources for school energy managers.
AirWatch Victoria
AirWatch Victoria is a free service which offers a range of resources to support schools in teaching and learning about environmental issues. The resources cover:
- Local and regional air quality
- Climate change topics (including the enhanced greenhouse effect, energy, waste and environment impacts).
ResourceSmart Schools program
ResourceSmart Schools is the umbrella that links the wide range of sustainability programs available to Victorian schools.
Integrating state and federal programs, it brings together a consortium of sustainability educators and delivery organisations to help Victorian schools minimise waste, save energy and water, promote biodiversity, and cut their greenhouse gas emissions. For more information visit Sustainability Victoria.
Organisations
The Centre for Education and Research in Environmental Strategies (CERES)
CERES has a Greenhouse Trail that students can follow to 16 sites within the four hectares of CERES environmental park. The trail links 'real life' practice with the enhanced greenhouse effect and climate change, and indicates the positive actions that can be taken by individuals and communities.
