Byron Shire group, Zero Emissions Byron
www.zerobyron.org is working through
five sectors - Waste, Energy, Transport,
Buildings and Land Use - to reduce
the carbon emissions of their Shire to
zero by 2025. ZEB has put together the
following list of actions we can take
now.
Here’s the ZEB 12-Step Action Plan
towards eliminating the use of fossil
fuels.
1. Use less grid electricity and save
money:
Reducing your energy lowers demand for
coal-fired power.
- Be aware of energy use.
- Switch off lights, appliances when not
in use.
- Get energy-friendly light bulbs.
- Minimise air conditioning.
- Dry clothes in the sun.
2. Install solar panels (and batteries)
when possible.
Use appliances eg dishwasher, washing
machine during the day to minimise
night time use of coal-fired power.
3. Electric vehicles:
When EVs become affordable, trade in
your petrol car, buy an EV and charge it
from your solar panels.
4. Divest from fossil fuels:
- Change to ethical, fossil-fuel free
investments.
- Change from banks who invest in
fossil fuels.
Check out marketforces.org.au/info/
compare-bank-table
- Compare energy providers. For
instance, check out the useful chart at
http://www.repowerbyron.org/switch.
html.
5. Plant trees:
Join your local Landcare group or seek
others with tree-planting programs.
Conveniently, trees remove carbon
dioxide from the atmosphere and store it.
6. Switch to a local ethical energy
supplier:
Why? “Switching to ethical electricity is
a powerful way to significantly reduce
your carbon footprint because around
50% of NSW’s carbon emissions come
from producing our power.” (According
to www.repowerbyron.org)
Understanding which retailers support
community and renewables over coal
and gas is key. - Support a power
company that invests in a clean energy
future.
- Compare ‘greenest’ energy companies
at canstarblue.com.au
7. If you’re renting, check out solar for
renters:
There is a range of programs in
development, like www.eneovaenergy.
com.au/solar-garden/ . Google search for
‘solar gardens’ to find one close to you.
8. Get active:
- Join a local group taking action
to reduce emissions, working with
communities to address climate change
(there are over 70 local groups in
Australia) eg Climate Action Network
Australia www.cana.net.au
- Get involved in a wider campaign
taking action: eg a stopadani.com
campaign, any gasfield-free campaigns,
or www.schoolstrike4climate.com
9. Get political:
– Ask your local parties/candidates
what action they will take in
government to address climate change
impacts.
– Vote for the political party that pledges
to take practical action on climate
change.
– Write letters to politicians – snail mail
if you can – form a letter-writing group,
keep up the pressure demanding a
National Action Plan on Climate Change
10. Talk it up!
- Talk to family, friends, work colleagues
about climate change and the practical
steps you can take in your everyday
lives.
- Share articles on Facebook.
11. Keep informed:
- Read everything you can on the
subject, and check out organisations
such as the www.climatecouncil.org.au
- Subscribe to RenewEconomy (daily
online news service)
12. Keep positive:
Awesome things are happening in
local and regional Australia, so join the
dynamic movement addressing climate
change (with projects such as solar
farms, tree planting, waste reduction,
local food and farmers’ markets,
alternative transport, energy efficiency
and more).
Exciting times need exciting action!
Winter 2019 65