Tip 2
Upgrade to LED light bulbs. LED stands for light emitting diodes. LED are 75% more energy efficient than incandescent or halogen bulbs and, the best part is, they last 20% longer.
LED's do not contain any hazardous chemicals. They can also be recycled. Here are some options:
- Mosman Council's e-waste collection program.
- Your nearest Community Recycling Centre (CRC).
- Take them to the next Household Chemical CleanOut Collection.
Tip 3
Use active transport: Walking or taking the bus is better for the environment, the community and you. Transport, coupled with engery usage, makes up ~80% of household emissions. Getting active has great health benefits: for fitness and cognitive abillity, and for building communities. Most families live within 1.2km of the school, which is easy walking distance even for little legs. Make time to walk to school one day a week, then two and build from there. With the warmer weather upon us, it's the perfect time to get outdoors.
Catchinng a bus is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint too - here are some
FAQs on catching the MPS school buses. Parents, please make sure you check the routes and correct stops for your child/ren.
If you have to use your car and don't have an Electric Vehicle yet, you can offset your annual car emisssions via Greenfleet or GoNeutral.
An idling engine can produce twice as many exhaust emissions as an engine in motion, so turn your car off when you're waiting at school.
Tip 5
Eat less meat and more plant-based foods. Aim for at least one meat-free meal per week. Here are four reasons why:
- It's healthier. Eating more plant-based foods reduces the risk of chronic disease.
- Environment. Red and white meat production has significant enviromental impacts. Forgoing 500g of red meat such as beef is equivalent of taking one car off the road. It takes 1900 litres of water to grow 500g of chicken meat.
- Quality and cruelty. Anibiotic and pesticide overuse is detrimental to animal and human health. By reducing your family's meat intake, you lessen the need for factory breeding and farming.
- So mant meat-free options. From plant-based alternatives to nourishing vegetarian / vegan meals, it's never been easier to try plant-based alternatives and dairy replacements.
Tip 6
Reduce waste and avoid single use plastics. Once you consciously start trying to avoid single use plastic you become very aware that it is EVERYWHERE and task seems insurmountable.
- Start by collecting and recycling your soft plastics (Coles / Woolworths have bins for soft plastic recycling).
- Bring bread bags, reusable shopping bags and bring your old jars to Scoop Wholefoods or Naked Foods in Mosman for package-free staples.
- Bring your own coffee cup for take away and use paper or metal straw instead of plastic.
- Pack 'nude' lunches (no plastic wrapping) for your kids. There are plenty of compartment-based lunch boxes available.
Remember: Start small, don't get discouraged and keep at it. It's better to have millions doing this task imperfectly than 10 families doing it perfectly.
Tip 7
Start a vegetable / native garden or plant a tree. Plant bee / butterfly-friendly gardens with bright flowers to nurture these amazing pollinators. Plant natives that are water hardy and low maintenance. re-use old pots for herbs. A home garden educates kids on where there food comes from and how to eat seasonal produce. They'll love to eat the food they've grown. Trees provide shade, are cooling and improve air quality by absorbing pollitants.
Tip 8
Buy local or Australian made. Be conscious of the miles imported food travels between where it produced to your home. On occasions, a locally-produced alternative is available.
Fewer miles travelled means fresher produce, and you are supporting local, state and national farmers and manufacturers. Shopping at at your local farmer's market is a great way to see what's in season too.
Tip 9
Install water efficient shower heqads and conserve water. Water is such a precious resource and something we don't always have a lot of here in Australia. Whenever possible have a shower (rather than a bath) and keep it short. Never leave a tap running while brushing your teeth. If you have a big garden invest in a water tank for irrigation and watering your plants.
Ticked off the top 10? Here are some ways you can go the extra mile.....
1. Go paper-free: have your bills, utilities and bank statements delivered online.
2. Green purchasing: Use recycled toilet paper made from 100% post-consumer waste or bamboo options that are available and more sustainable. Buy green cleaning products to reduce chemical use and improve water quality.
3. Eco tea / coffee: Invest in an eco-kettle and get reusable coffee pods.
4 Avoid fast fashion: It's better to spend more money on one quality item and wear 30+ times than purchasing trendy, cheap clothing that ends up in landfill or being burned.
5.
Track and reduce your carbon footprint at home with
Climate Clever . It's so easy the kids can do it!
