Reducing your Footprint
Tips to reduce your eco footprint
Save energy
- switch to greenpower
- get a solar hot water system
- switch off stand by power.
Save water
- mulch your garden
- take shorter showers
- install a rain water tank.
Reduce waste
- set up a compost
- recycle
- ask yourself before you buy 'do I really need this?'
Eat green
- reduce your consumption of animal products
- buy organic and local
- grow your own!
Travel clean
- get out of the car and on your bike!
- use public transport
- share a car.
What Can You Do?
The Ecological Footprint is a measure of the total amount of land required to supply all the resources a person's lifestyle demands. Australians have the fourth highest Ecological Footprint in the world. An average Australian has an Ecological Footprint of about 6.4 ha (about the size of nine rugby league fields), while Canada Bay residents' Ecological Footprint averages 7.035 ha.
Current estimates show that if the world's population used resources at the same rate as the Australian average, we'd need the equivalent of three to four planets of resources each year.
What does it measure?
The Ecological Footprint takes into consideration:
- how you live at home
- how you travel
- where your food comes from
- the goods and the services you buy, and finally
- the waste you generate.
Measure your environmental footprint
You can learn how to reduce your footprint by visiting the Australian Conservation Foundation's - Green Home website or measure your footprint by using the Ecological Footprint Calculator.
How can you reduce your environmental footprint?
Visit the Federal Government's 'Live Greener' site where you will find information on how to take action to save water, energy, and to help combat climate change. There is also information on how to get a free home assessment and qualify for the government's $10,000 green loan as well as information on all other available government rebates.
Get involved
The City of Canada Bay is hosting a series of free sustainability workshops as part of its 'Treading Lightly' - eco living in the inner west.
Council has a Sustainable City Committee which consists of council and representatives of the community joining together to make Canada Bay a more sustainable place to live and work.