At Home

Helping to ease the strain on environmental flows and resources begins with a little understanding on the consequences of our actions.   Unfortunately the typical Australian has become accustomed to using more energy and resources than we should be.   The consequences of this have been well documented, and describe long term degradation of rivers (Murray), high levels of salinity in soils making crop yields low (from antiquated farming techniques - WA wheat belts), increased levels of CO2 in the atmosphere (from electricity production and transport - enhancing the greenhouse effect), erosion and loss of topsoil (from hard hoofed animal grazing on fragile land), unhelpful slowly degradable rubbish and toxins in waterways (placing strains on aquatic environments) and many many others.   By finding out where electricity is produced, where our water comes from, how our clothes are manufactured and where your wastes go, beyond that plastic bin on the kurbside is an important step in deciding what choices you can make in easing the strain.

The following stepping stones are intended to improve self-awareness in everyday life.  

AT HOME:

Electricity:

Turn off appliances at the wall 12% of Australia's household energy usage is from appliances on standby - buy a 'Power Genie' powerboard, which automatically switches things off when you don't need them.

Look out for appliances with good energy star ratings

Go outside to the hotwater system - that big cylinder, open up the little flap at the bottom/side, and turn the little temperature knob down, so the water isn't absolutely scalding (if the water is not hot enough the next day, just nudge it up).

Find out how your electricity is made, see if renewable, low CO2 emitting options are available to you (switching to 'green power' may not cost you anything extra).

Water:

If you have a garden that needs watering, buy a simple DIY kit from your hardware store to divert the laundry water straight to the lawn

Change the shower head to a water efficient one.   Pester your landlord for this - can be as little as $15

Have shorter showers.

Get aerator tap insets

Keep a bucket in the shower to collect the cold water before it gets hot.

Mulch your garden

Waste:

Compost your garden waste, - then spread it back onto the garden.

Put a no junk mail sticker or sign on your letterbox

Dont buy things you rarely use. Beg or borrow from neighbours - you might even become friends

Second hand is a good way to reduce waste, and supports local enterprise

Buy bulk - and it is cheaper

Recycle acording to your council regulations

Travel:

Carpooling to Monash is a good way to reduce road conjestion and you get the good car parks free! Car share (like Flexi car) is becoming popular if you need to hire a car infrequently.

Bicycle transport is the most efficient way to get about. You can even ride to the train, then from Huntingdale, no more waiting for a connecting bus

Food:

Cut down on animal product consumption, which often require huge amounts of land water and energy to produce.

Organic produce reduces the impact on land. Organic implies that there are no artificial additives in production, such as pesticides and inorganic fertilizers.

Choosing Melbourne market garden produce supports local networks, and reduces energy expensive (refrigerated) transport.

This list is constantly revised and added as people send us their suggestions.

Get aware!