Sustainable Living Tasmania Guidelines
A do it yourself guide to saving energy & money. Read the guide...
Ten Climate Action Tips
- Take a walk or ride a bike
Transport accounts for 16 per cent of Tasmania's total greenhouse gas emissions. By walking, riding or taking the bus to work one day a week you can reduce your carbon footprint, save money on petrol and it's good for your health.
- Drive smarter
Changing the way you drive saves fuel and reduces your greenhouse gas emissions. Harsh acceleration and braking can use up to 30 per cent more fuel, and taking off too fast uses up to 60 per cent more fuel. If you change gears in your car at a slower speed you can reduce your fuel consumption by up to 15 per cent. Want to know more? Check out 10 more tips for smarter driving.
- Give your mates a lift
Car pooling with colleagues or neighbours saves fuel and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. More people together in a car means fewer cars on the road and this may even lead to smoother runs to work each day.
- Avoid short car journeys
Cold engines use almost twice as much fuel as warm ones so walk to the shop instead of driving.
- Reduce waste
Australians are the second highest producers of waste on the planet, behind the United States. The waste management sector generates 4 per cent of Tasmania's greenhouse gas emissions. Cutting down the amount of waste going into our bins not only reduces emissions from transporting the waste, it also reduces methane emissions from landfill. We could reduce total waste going to landfill each year by up to one third if we all composted and mulched our green waste.
- Think before you buy
A lot of emissions are generated in the production of goods. By choosing products with less packaging, products that last longer, and by using re-useable shopping bags, you are reducing your carbon footprint. Buying locally made products also reduces the emissions generated by transporting the products.
- Look for the stars
Installing appliances such as fridges and washing machines with high star ratings will help reduce energy use in your home, and save money on your power bill.
- Turn down the heat
Fifty per cent of the average Tasmanian household's energy use is for heating and cooling. Reducing the temperature of your heater by 2 to 3 degrees will reduce your energy use and save you money. So keep the heat at 18°- 20°C in winter and put on a jumper.
- Change the light bulbs
Energy efficient fluorescent based globes use about one-quarter of the energy of old style incandescent globes and last for about 16,000 hours (compared to 1000 hours for incandescent). Replacing halogen down lights with LED lights can be up to 10 times more energy efficient.
- Turn off your screen
Screensavers don't save electricity, they can use more electricity. Using 'sleep' mode or switching off your monitor altogether is a better option. If you can, choose a laptop: Laptops use between 60 per cent and 90 percent less power than desktop computers.
