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• Energy and the future

Home Page > Environment matters > Energy and the future

Energy and the future

Awareness!

It is up to all of us to help reduce increases to greenhouse gases. To do this, we must be aware of the connection between all the things we rely on in our daily lives and the impacts of producing them.

Energy is one of the most important parts of our lives. It is the power behind almost all of the tools we use to make our lives easier. Imagine living in a home or going to a school with no lights, no heat, no refrigeration? Imagine a city with no power to its buildings, no telephones, no computers, no street lights? Imagine only being able to travel on foot? Imagine having to grow your own food? Imagine no TV?!

If you are aware of the connection between these things and the generation of energy, then you will be able to help sustain our quality of life on the planet, whilst reducing our impact on it!

Steps to reducing greenhouse gases:

• Walk, cycle or use public transport
• Cut hot water use – shower for less than 4 minutes and wash clothes in cold water
• Power Down! Make sure that between the hottest parts of the day you don’t use things like washers, driers and other energy-hungry appliances
• Plant and protect trees and plants – did you know that it takes 12 trees to absorb the carbon released by driving the average car over 1 whole year?! Did you know that leafy green suburbs can be up to 5-8 degrees cooler in summer than bare suburbs?
• Dress according to the season – if it’s cold, put on a jumper!
• Become Energy wise – follow the steps set out in our Energy wise section
• Support renewable energy by installing a solar PV system, a wind turbine, or buying Green Power
• Cut down on the amount of power you use – remember, when you flick on a switch for most of us that means somewhere coal is being burnt, which is heating up the planet!

Related links

• You can find out much more information and even calculate your own carbon footprint at http://www.carbonneutral.com.au.
• How to be Energy wise – Energy efficiency doesn’t just save us money, it also saves the environment!
• Find out more about energy efficiency
• Renewable Energy – Finding and using renewable energy sources is vital if we are to protect our environment from the enhanced Greenhouse Effect.
• Our educational programs to teach students (and teachers!) about the connection between energy and the environment and how we can all help to make a difference
• Activities and Events – find out how you can get involved!
• Scitech Discovery Centre – Western Power has been working with Scitech to create a new exhibition called ‘Climate Change’ – check it out! Visit Scitech’s website for more info!