World Environment Day (WED) was established by the UN in 1972 to raise awareness of environmental issues and increase action at both individual and political levels. The aim is to show people they have the power to change their future. WED argues that by working together, and being actively involved in environmental preservation, we can enjoy a safer and more prosperous future.
The theme for WED 2009 is ‘Your Planet Needs You-UNite to Combat Climate Change’, and an online 12-step ‘checklist’ is provided to help guide you. This is what the UN suggests we all try and do:
- Make a commitment: make a promise to yourself, tell other people about it, and schedule it into your lifestyle. Taking these simple steps means you’re more likely to succeed
- Assess where you stand: knowing where and how you generate greenhouse gases is the first step to reducing them. Individuals and small businesses can can use online calculators to find out where to start. Try this Greenhouse Gas Emissions Calculator from the Australian Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and Arts
- Decide and plan where you want to go: once you’ve done the greenhouse emissions calculations above, you can see which areas of your life can be improved. Set up a strategy and action plan. Targets help focus efforts and also provide a benchmark for measuring success
- De-carbon your life: everything you do or buy involves carbon emission in some way- either in the products themselves or in the energy and materials it takes to make them. Try to find low-carbon alternatives, for example, switch to recycled or sustainably sourced paper, and choose public transport. For some simple tips on lowering your carbon footprint, visit Action for Climate Change
- Get energy efficient: improving the efficiency of your home and workplace is the fastest and most lucrative way to save money, energy and carbon emissions. This does not mean going without. Energy efficiency is about increasing productivity but doing more with less. Turn of lights, heaters and computers when not needed. Look for energy efficient standards on appliances like fridges, and make the switch to energy-efficient light globes. More more information, download Energy Australia’s Energy Wise pamphlet, or try out their many ways to save energy
- Switch to low carbon energy: if possible, switch to energy sources that emit less carbon and can reduce costs and emissions. One of the easiest things to do is sign up to GreenPower, a government accredited program for renewable energy. When you choose to buy a GreenPower product the few cents extra you pay in addition to your electricity account each day is invested in the renewable energy sector. Download information sheets from the GreenPower resource centre
- Invest in offsets and cleaner alternatives: if you’ve done as much as you can at work and home, but want to do more, think about buying carbon offsets. These will compensate for your remaining emissions by funding another activity which reduces carbon (such as planting trees). Often airlines offer you the chance to offset your travel when paying your fare. For more information, read this carbon offset guide
- Get efficient: becoming more carbon-aware can help you ‘green’ other parts of your life. You could find yourself following ‘Reduce, reuse and recycle’ without even thinking about it
- Offer-or buy-low carbon products and services: search for products which are designed by companies dedicated to sustainability. Visit The Green Directory for lists of suitable businesses
- Buy green, sell green: the more demand there is for sustainable products and services, the greater the choice we’ll have, and the lower the prices will get
- Team up: how can you help? Work with local businesses, neighbours and councils to bring awareness to environmental issues
- Talk: communication and transparency are crucial. We should demand businesses be honest about their products, and the effects they have on the environment and human health
Visit the World Environment Day website for daily ‘Do Something’ tips
back to top
Print This Page
Send to a friend
Change Text Size
RSS Feed
