Go on a Carbon Diet

Become an EcoSmart cookie with a carbon diet that will fulfil your sustainability goals.

Many diets have come and gone over the decades with faddish aplomb. But there is one diet that, if more people were to go on, would make a world of difference – literally.

Debate has been raging over whether human activity is the cause of global warming, and there are a whole bunch of sceptics out to disprove this. The glaring facts are that since the world has become rapidly industrialized, forcing the earth’s natural resources to be plundered to keep up with an alarming growth in consumption, untold damage has been done to the environment which has provoked some startling and unpredictable changes in climate. Mother Earth is trying to tell us something.

So, while governments continue to bicker over an Emissions Trading Scheme, here are some simple steps for us all to take in the meantime to reduce the harmful amount of C02 currently being released due to power and fuel consumption. Not only will you be doing your bit to save the planet, but you’ll also be saving on bills:

Water: Water everywhere and not a drop to waste

1. Turn off the tap when brush your teeth -  3 kg of Carbon saved each year.
2. Turn off or fix any dripping taps - 20 kg of Carbon saved each year.
3. Take shorter showers (a 3 minute one does the job) - 160 kg of Carbon saved each year.
4. Install a low flow shower head and use less hot water - 160 kg of Carbon saved each year.

Electric

1. Turn off electric appliances at the main power point - don't leave them in standby mode (ie where a little red light is showing, this goes for mobile phone charges, electric tooth brushes, plasma TV's. - 440 kg of Carbon saved each year.
2. Turn off any lights when not in those rooms - 300 kg of Carbon saved each year.  (or even when you are in the room - do you really need your lights on during the day? or do you need your lights on to watch TV?)
3. Run your washing machine only with full load - 45 kg of Carbon saved each year.
4. Run a dishwasher cycle only when it’s full -  90 kg of Carbon saved each year.
5. Changing one regular light globe with a compact fluorescent - 260 kg of Carbon saved each year (such a simple thing to do - but so often people overlook the simple changes)
6. Use a clothesline to dry clothes instead of a dryer -  640 kg of Carbon saved each year (or if you have to use a dryer, put a dry tea towel in with the wet washing it is more energy efficient)
7. Wash clothes in warm or cold water, not hot - 160 kg of Carbon saved each year.
8. Adjust your thermostat down by 1 degree Celsius - keep it one degree "warmer" in summer and one degree "cooler" in winter can make a huge difference -  900 kg of Carbon saved each year.

Reduce Waste & Pollution

1. Start a car pool with your co-workers or friends (based on sharing a ride 2 days per week) - 183 kg of Carbon saved per year.
2. Reduce your garbage by 25% (by buying products with less packaging, buying reusable items instead of disposable one, recycling your paper, plastics and glass) -  455 kg of Carbon saved per year.
3. Recycle at least half your household waste - 1080 kg of Carbon saved per year.
4. Use a reusable bag every time you go shopping -  8 kg of Carbon saved per year.

Simple Handy Hints to save more Carbon.

1. Keep the tyres on your car fully inflated – check monthly - 365 kg of Carbon saved per year.
2. Keep the air filter in your car clean – check monthly - 365 kg of Carbon saved per year.

So.... with all these small and easy "carbon diet tips", you could save up to 14,000 kg or carbon per year.

Written by Sam Lane, Mojarra General Manager

First published on Springday

Wanting more information on how to reduce your energy bills and do your bit for the environment? Book a Ecosmart Assessment