7 Day Carbon Challenge

Are you looking for simple ways to reduce your greenhouse gas emissions? The 7 Day Carbon Challenge is an easy way to start saving money, saving energy and help save our environment. By taking seven, straightforward steps to cut your emissions, you’ll be well on your way to reducing your carbon footprint and helping abate climate change.

Each day provides you with one step, using inexpensive actions, to cut your carbon. When you have completed each step, tick it off on the checklist. If you need a reminder, print the checklist and put it somewhere where you can see it every day.

The order of the steps doesn’t matter and you can take as long as you like to complete them. The most important thing is to take every step you can to cut your carbon emissions. Remember, tomorrow’s Queensland is about today’s choices.

Good luck!

DAY 1 – Reduce your waste

By reducing the amount of rubbish you send to landfill you can cut greenhouse gas emissions. Here are some ways to limit your rubbish.

Recycle everything you can. Make sure recyclable glass, metal, plastic and paper goes in the right bin and make sure your housemates do the same.
It’s important to remember that plastic bags can’t be recycled. So if you place your recycling in a plastic bag, the bagged rubbish will go to landfill. Try using a box or bucket to collect your recycling and empty frequently.
Reduce packaging by bringing your own reusable bags to the supermarket and when you go shopping.
Try to buy in bulk or purchase items with the least packaging. A great example is choosing loose tea leaves over tea bags. It’s still a great taste but a reduced carbon footprint.
Put a “no junk mail” sign on your letterbox to reduce unsolicited mail.

DAY 2 – Switch to GreenPower

Buying green energy is one of the best &most cost-effective ways to reduce your greenhouse gas emissions.

GreenPower options are available from most energy retailers. They are available as 10%, 20%, 50% and 100%. The greater the percentage you purchase, the more greenhouse gas you will save.
Contact your energy retailer to find out how you can buy GreenPower
GreenPower is generated from renewable energy sources such as solar, geothermal and wind. GreenPower is purchased by your energy retailer on your behalf from accredited, renewable energy generators.
Go to greenpower.gov.au for more information.

DAY 3 – Change your light bulbs

Replacing incandescent light bulbs with energy-efficient compact fluorescent lights (CFL) is a simple way to cut energy consumption.

Incandescent light bulbs convert 95% of their electricity into heat, and only 5% into light. CFLs last longer and use up to 80 percent less energy than incandescent light bulbs.
Take a room-by-room inventory of your lighting fixtures. Note the wattage and the type of fitting, such as screw or bayonet, so you can purchase the equivalent compact fluorescent light.
Make sure you note which fixtures require dimmable bulbs and which will be used outdoors as they require special CFLs.
Purchase and install your new energy-efficient compact fluorescent lights.
Remember to always turn off the lights when you leave a room.
It’s a myth that fluorescent lights should be left on if you are leaving the room for a short period of time. Modern CFLs don’t need time to ‘warm up’.
Go to the ‘Make the switch to compact fluorescent lights fact sheet’ for more information.View this factsheet

DAY 4 – Check your temperature

A surefire way to waste energy is over-heating or over-chilling your home. If you use an air-conditioner, adjust the temperature to be more energy efficient.

In winter, try putting on extra clothing or add blankets to stay warm.
If you use the heater set the temperature to 18º-20ºC.
Consider using a programmable thermostat so you make sure the temperature suits your needs. This can reduce your heating bill by up to 20%
In summer, try using fans to cool down the house. If you set the temperature to 10 degrees below the outside temperature or 24° and keep windows, curtains and doors closed to help your air conditioner operate more efficiently.

DAY 5 – Think before you eat

Producing food requires large amounts of land, energy and water and grazing animals generate greenhouse gases as a result of their digestion.

Commit to eating at least one less meat meal a week.
Look for opportunities to substitute vegetarian meals.
If you eat meat and eggs, consider choosing “free range” or “organic” varieties that will contribute to a healthy environment and greater health for you and your family.
Buy local produce and dairy products and reduce energy in transporting food. Check your supermarket for produce labels or visit a local farmers market.
Grow your own food. Even if you live in an apartment you can still grow herbs or tomatoes on your balcony. Be sure it’s organic and don’t use chemicals and pesticides.

DAY 6 – Reduce your car travel

Driving your car is one of the single most polluting things we do. By reducing the distance you travel by car you can cut greenhouse gas emissions and save money.

Keep a trip diary for one week and note the destination and length of each car journey. For each trip, check if it could be combined with other activities such as shopping or taking the kids to school. Ask yourself is this journey really necessary?
Where you can, substitute car journeys with other modes of transport such as public transport, bike, walking or car pooling.
Reduce your car travel by at least one trip each week.

DAY 7 – Use less in the laundry

There are plenty of ways to cut energy and water use in the laundry.

Only wash clothes when they are dirty. If there are a few spots/marks, try to spot clean them.
Make sure you have a full load before you use your washing machine.
Wash your clothes in cold water using phosphate free detergents whenever possible. This will dramatically reduce your energy consumption and your electricity bill.
Dry your washing on a clothesline rather than using a clothes dryer.
If you must use a clothes dryer, set it to the eco-setting.

There are many more ways you can reduce your greenhouse gas emissions, which are available on this website. Under ‘Your Home’, there is more content on all the actions you will undertake on your 7 Day Carbon Challenge. Good luck and remember to calculate your footprint before you get started so you can track your progress.