Earth Hour
March 2007
David Attenborough — BBC World Landmark Screening April 7th, 5.10pm
Earth Hour: On March 31st at 7.30-8.30 Sydney will turn off it’s lights.
At the time of writing this 43,600 individuals and 1614 businesses had signed up to earth Hour. I want to congratulate the WWF and Sydney Morning Herald Teams for this amazing achievement. I hope all members are undertaking their own Earth Hour celebration, wherever. I would ask all of you to reflect on why we are doing this. I have no doubt that this will be a most memorable and moving evening and I hope you can send me a Jpeg photo marking the event for a special Earth Hour Page.
Climate Change and The ASX100
WFCA co hosted with the WWF a most successful evening on March 22nd, where 100 people attended to hear Elaine Prior, Citigroup investment research present on the impact of Climate Change on companies listed on the stock market, highlighting the potential winners and losers. Please contact me for information. The event has been highlighted in the Village Voice. See the article here.
As we head into Easter I want to draw your attention to the BBC World Screening of Sir David Attenborough’s “Are We Changing the Earth”. This will be shown at 5.10pm on April 7th on BBC World. I encourage you all to take the time to watch this programme with your family. Tell your friends as well.
“When world renowned Sir David Attenborough talks, people listen and this time he is not mincing his words ‘Climate Change is the biggest challenge facing the world’ he says ‘If we care about our grandchildren (our children), then we have to do something, now.
Sir Nicholas Stern's fleeting visit has had tidal wave effects, as he successfully re ignited the debate on Climate Change. Sir Nicholas, leading world economist called for Australia to follow Europe and California to enact mandatory 1990 emission cuts (enforceable by law) of 60-90% by 2050 and an initial target of 30% by 2030.
"We don't start from a good place, but it's not too late," Sir Nicholas said yesterday in an interview with the Herald in Sydney, where he outlined a far more aggressive program for action than either the Government or Opposition proposes. See the article here.
It is at this point that I want to make a few points on the political agenda. Firstly the Climate Institute released a very interesting survey. "Leadership on Climate Change a Vote Changer" Based on a poll of 1000 Australians, 66% say they would be more likely to vote for a party with a strong, clear climate change plan. Infact surveys continue to find Australians are deeply concerned about Climate Change and the level of in action from both major political parties to offer positive short and long term solutions. At a personal level we can all make a difference, which is we all need to cut our energy consumption and switch to accredited green energy. I ask all of you that have not yet switched or not informed me that you have switched to please do so, in order to send your . Secondly to become more energy efficient we can all make changes at home. I have managed to halve my electricity consumption (YOY) and in my first quarter Origin invoice my house has saved 0.5tonne of CO2 by using electricity sourced from renewable energy sources.
Here are a few tips:
a) Turn off lights when they are not needed.
b) Turn off all appliances that are on standby
c) Air Dry clothes instead of using the drier (you may need to purchase a clothes line!!!!)
d) Consider installing ceiling fans instead of using air conditioning
e) With winter on the way (I think!!) consider putting on a jumper and sealing off draughts rather than turning on the heater. Use gas heating where possible
f) Take shorter showers as hot water systems can account for up to 40% of your electricity bill.
g) Call Sydney Water to install a more efficient shower head
h) Consider installing a solar hot water system or a instantaneous gas fired system.
i) Buy locally manufactured goods to avoid transportation emissions.
j) Think about why you shop and think whether you really need to buy so much
k) Contact NECO (www.neco.com.au) or TODAE (www.todae.com.au) to book a home assessment.
Infact one of the major solutions to cutting emissions as per Sir Nicholas Stern’s recommendations, is through increased energy efficiency and reducing the demand for electricity. This process can begin at home by introducing some of the above mentioned steps.
As the Prime Minister has raised the topic, I felt that is time to discuss some of the crucial aspects of solving the Climate Change problem. Each newsletter for the next few months will aim to cover an aspect of the Climate Change solution so that all members can ascertain a better understanding of the issues involved.
I want to wish you all a Happy Easter and can I please have a response from those members who have yet to tell me they have switched to accredited green energy.
Danielle Ecuyer
President WFCA
