Environment

Climate Change Actions

Environment

Posted by: CafestudyAdmin

7th Feb 2019 12:01pm

In today's news, the UN reported that last year was the fourth warmest on record. We would like to hear what our Cafestudy members are doing to help slow down climate change. Have you changed your habits recently? Or maybe you are meaning to but haven't got round to it yet? Please let us know!

ybot
  • 12th Feb 2019 01:05pm

We recently bought our own place moved house. We have air conditioning and other cooling systems installed but go to work straight away in having non electricity reliant heat extraction fans (otherwise known as whirlybirds) installed to help with the relentless Queensland heat. As we speak, I have a low draw fan cooling the room I am in and regularly keep windows open to allow the heat to pass through and keep the overall temperature down. Also during investigating the house, we found there is no insulation in the roof to allow to keep the energy reliance to cool the house down. This will be addressed in the very near future. Solar panels and solar appliances will be the next major investment to be added to the property to assist our part in climate change.

As for shopping, we stopped using plastic or single use bags some 3 years ago now, opting for a no bag option or using cardboard boxes from the shelves of our supermarkets. For those playing at home, the egg boxes are the best along with soft drink or orange juice / other chilled 2L+ sized boxes will last a while. Regardless all cardboard is biodegrable and recyclable.

We often buy in bulk when shopping and avoid as much waste as possible, for several months probably even over a year, our rubbish bin landfill waste consisted of about 5 or less litres in volume. Our recycling bin however was always full by the time the fortnightly cycle had finished and bin was emptied.

We use as much recyclable materials as possible, even when camping. Using kitchen equipment or suitable camping alternatives without being disposable. After several years in hospitality, I was introduced to Bamboo plates, bowls and cutlery, Despite the higher price, they are a monumentally better alternative to plastic disposable equipment. I hated how much was wasted and often encouraged guests to take home the food that was still available or gave it to someone in need if they were unable to take it all the way home.

When we recently moved house, we cleared out a significant amount of clothing. Instead of simply putting it in the bin, it was donated to a family in need or suitable charitable organisation that would accept it.

My workplace recently phased out single use plastic bottles in our vending machines and similar avenues of dispensing. Together with our social club we have sold a number of reusable lexan(polycarbonate), metal and glass water bottles all made to order.

Our backyard is fortunately fully landscaped and requires minimal maintenance that requires machinery such as a lawn mower or similar motorised equipment. For the times that we do need to use these, almost all of them are electric powered, charged from car batteries which have been recharged by solar panels.

If everyone played a small part in reducing their waste, it would go a long way to helping out.


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