Energy - save the planet and money

This section contains pages on:

• heating and cooling, which make up half the average energy bill,
  
• managing and understanding your bills,
  
• renewable energy options and
  
• finding energy efficient appliances

A Simple Climate Change Guide

1. What is it? Carbon dioxide is a gas that traps heat in the atmosphere. We have pumped an extra 30% into the atmosphere since the industrial revolution through the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas and we are increasing our emissions globally at a massive rate. Australia is the worst per capita in the world.
   
2. Is it natural? Yes ... and No. The climate has always changed and always will. But in 650,000 years it has not experienced change like we are causing. Global scientific consensus says we are the cause - the debate is now around the impacts: will they be really devastating or moderately devastating?
3. What are the impacts? A 2007 report by the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) spoke of sea level rises of up to a metre this century (which would displace 600 milion people), temperature rises of up to 6 degrees (which would make the earth uninhabitable), increased extreme weather events, lower rainfall, the loss of arctic and antarctic sea ice, new strains of disease and species population crashes. Since that report (based on 2003 science) most measures have been tracking worse than their worst case scenario.   
4. The Reduction Numbers: We need to reduce our emmissions globally by 25-40% by 2020 and 90-100% by 2050 and then reduce carbon levels in the atmosphere by a further 30% beyond that to regain a safe climate.
   
5. The Answers: If we woke up tomorrow and swapped to an efficient car, bought local food and green power and planted some trees we would have done it in a day. We need to reduce energy use and change our sources of energy. We need to do it at home, in our communities, towns, cities and in all countries around the world.
6. The Cost, NOT! Reducing energy saves money. Every home and business, over a ten year period can be carbon emissions free and have done it cost positive. Many businesses and homes have saved a lot of money.
   
7. The Movement: Take heart! There are over two million community groups around the world (including our own Bendigo Sustainability Group) working towards a sustainable future. There are countless businesses, homes, schools and governments all creating the change we need. The tipping point for change is closer than we think. It may just need action from one or two more ...
8. Local Sources of Information: Cool Melbourne, Climate Change in Australia, The Climate Institute and the Victorian Government Climate Change Program.