Download managing energy impacts - Lake Macquarie City Council

Fact sheet 2
MANAGING ENERGY IMPACTS
What is the Greenhouse Effect?
The ‘greenhouse effect’ is the effect natural gases in the Earth’s atmosphere have on the amount of
heat escaping from the atmosphere. These gases act like a blanket around the Earth, regulating
temperature and helping create the conditions that support life on our planet.
Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere include water vapour (H2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), methane
(CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and halocarbons, including chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and
perfluorocarbons (PFCs).
Greenhouse gases are naturally occurring substances; however, the greenhouse effect can be
increased by the accelerated release of greenhouse gases generated by human activities.
Practices that increase the levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere include:
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burning fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas
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clearing land, which releases stored carbon
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farming, which involves decomposition of organic and animal waste
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energy intensive industries such as cement and aluminium manufacturing.
What is Global Warming?
The greenhouse gas ‘blanket’ regulates the temperature of our planet, helping create the conditions for
life. Increased greenhouse gases increase the amount of heat trapped within the atmosphere, altering
these conditions.
Global warming describes the resulting increase in the average temperature of the Earth’s land, air and
oceans since the mid 20th century.
Safe levels of global warming are estimated to be below a 2oC temperature rise which equates to
about 450 parts per million (ppm) of CO2 in the atmosphere. We have already passed 350 ppm CO2 ,
which had been long recognised as the key threshold for increased average temperature.
Global warming will bring complex changes in the balance of the Earth’s ecological systems and
climate. Predicted changes include altered weather patterns, which may result in severe droughts,
floods and more extreme weather events, such as heatwaves and storms.
What can I do?
Your ‘environmental footprint’ is a measure of your demand on nature; how much land and water you
require to produce the resources you consume and the wastes you create.
There are many ways to reduce your energy impact and your environmental footprint. By looking at
the amount of energy and resources you use and how you manage your waste, you can make simple
changes to ‘tread more lightly’ on the Earth.
To measure your ecological footprint, go to www.lakemac.com.au
Some ways you can help reduce your energy impacts:
Green Power
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It is possible to convert 10–100% of your domestic energy consumption to energy derived from
renewable sources such as solar, wind and biomass. Visit
http://www.greenpower.gov.au/home.aspx (under 'Energy Products')
Contact your energy supplier to ask about their GreenPower program.
Insulate your ceiling, walls and floors
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A well-insulated home will require less energy for heating in winter and cooling in summer.
Install an energy efficient water heater and use less hot water
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A solar or gas hot water system will substantially cut down your greenhouse gas emissions
and hot water bills.
Ensure the size of your system meets your needs.
Take shorter showers and save up to half a kilogram of greenhouse gases per minute.
Install a low flow showerhead.
Install Solar Panels
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Reduce your reliance on coal powered energy and reduce your energy bill.
Choose and install appliances carefully and use them efficiently
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Use energy rating labels to help you decide which appliance to buy. A high star rating means
lower energy use and it can save you hundreds of dollars over the lifetime of the appliance.
Visit http://www.energyrating.gov.au/
Build an energy smart home
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Take advantage of natural heat, light and ventilation through passive solar design.
When building or renovating, consider energy saving principles such as placing living areas on
the north side and bedrooms and service rooms on the south side.
Install energy efficient lighting and use lights efficiently
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Install compact fluorescent light globes, LED (light emitting diodes) and/or lighting control that
will reduce your energy consumption and electricity bills considerably.
Turn off unnecessary lights and appliances on stand-by.
Use desk lamps where light is needed most.
Where possible, use natural instead of artificial light.
Wash and dry clothes efficiently
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Wash clothes in cold water, only wash a full load.
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Front loading washing machines tend to be more water and energy efficient.
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Using the clothesline instead of an electric clothes dryer is calculated to prevent more than 3kg
of greenhouse gas entering the atmosphere per load.
What is Council doing?
Council recognised the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adopted the Greenhouse
Gas Emission Reduction Targets Policy in 2008. This policy outlined reduction targets of 3%
p.a./capita for the city, and 3% p.a. for Council operations (based on 2007/2008 baseline data).
Some of the actions currently being implemented include: installing solar panels at the Works
Depot and other Council buildings; recycling building materials; car pooling, improving fleet
management and introducing hybrid vehicles to the fleet; developing a sustainable purchasing
policy; monitoring energy consumption; incorporating sustainability features in building upgrades;
improving water and energy efficiency at caravan parks, pools and libraries; and considering
sustainable building materials in project design.
Council has also entered into a contract with its energy supplier to provide 15% GreenPower to
Council's largest facilities saving approximately 494 tonnes of carbon equivalent per year
Council is incorporating global best practice in its drive towards sustainability and recognises the
immediate need to support behavioural change, climate change adaptation and increased awareness
of sustainability issues in the workplace.
How can I find out more?
To learn more about the greenhouse effect and global warming, and find out other ways you can
reduce your greenhouse emissions, check out these websites:
Rebate and RECS
www.livinggreener.gov.au/rebates-assistance
Green power
Talk to your energy provider or visit
www.greenpower.nsw.gov.au
Solar Bonus Scheme
www.industry.nsw.gov.au/energy/sustainable/renewable/solar/solar-scheme
Green vehicle guide
www.greenvehicleguide.gov.au
Green Safe car profiler
www.nrma.com.au/motor
Energy smart Info centre
www.energysmart.com.au
Energy smart ideas
www.livingthing.net.au
Solar systems comparison
www.solarchoice.net.au
LMCC–Our City/Air quality
www.lakemac.com.au
ICLEI- Local Governments for Sustainability
www.iclei.org
Australian Greenhouse Office
www.greenhouse.gov.au
The Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water
www.environment.nsw.gov.au/
Energy Smart Information Centre
www.energysmart.com.au
Energy Rating information
www.energyrating.gov.au
www.yourhome.gov.au under Technical Manual
This project has been assisted by the New South Wales Government through its Environmental Trust.