Using less energy

28 07 2008

For appliances

  • Standby power sucks up to 12% of your energy (switch off the power point for things like computers, DVD players, pay TV boxes, faxes etc)
  • Buy electric appliances with higher efficiency ratings (each extra ’star’ saves around 10% of running costs) or buy Energy Star approved appliances.

Renovating, building or buying?

  • Think ‘green’ and make sure you (or your builder) makes the most of orientation to the sun, superior insulation, efficient heating, cooling, water usage, lighting and household appliances
  • Green homes can easily reduce their household energy consumption by 40% or more.




Emissions Trading Scheme

22 07 2008

As you would have heard for the past few days, the Australian Government has released their green paper on an emissions trading scheme.  The details of the scheme can be found here.

There have been a range of responses already made to the green paper.  The Brimbank Climate Action Network does not support the proposed scheme as it does not include the major emitters.  In fact we found a very cool video that explains it for us:





The Garnaut Report

6 07 2008

The Garnaut Report is a significant piece of work regarding climate change and it’s economic impact on Australia.

Visit the Garnaut website for the draft report.  It has been a very busy website since it’s release so it may take some time to download.





Climate Emergency Rally

4 07 2008
Climate Emergency Rally Information

Climate Emergency Rally Information





Greenhouse gas emissions and food

4 07 2008

When you go down to your local supermarket to do grocery shopping or pick up something up for dinner, have you considered where that food has come from?

Something you may not have considered when you’re down the shops is how many kilometres the food we eat has travelled to end up in your local supermarket.  Part of the CO2 footprint that we all contribute to is from the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions produced in transporting food from farmer to supermarket.  So when you buy oranges from California, the GHG emissions produced from transporting those oranges from a US farmer to your local supermarket are enormous.  Even the GHG emissions produced from transporting food around Australia are enormous and contribute to our CO2 footprint.

One way of diminishing your contribution to the GHG emissions from food transport is to visit your nearest farmers’ market.

Farmers’ markets gives a place for local growers to sell their fruit and vegetables, and in many cases these markets include other wares to buy.  The best thing is that farmers’ markets sell food that has been produced locally, probably within mere kilometres of your front door.

Fortunately, through the work of the Greens councillor, Miles Dymott, there is a farmers’ market held in Sunshine every 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month.  Get more information from the Brimbank City Council