One degree
In today's world-in-motion everything seems to involve a car trip, from driving the kids to sports to shopping or getting to work. Australia's sprawling suburbs and patchy public transport network can make it hard to do without a car entirely, but one of the best things you can do to fight climate change is to use it less.
Every kilometre you don't drive means less carbon dioxide going into the atmosphere, so look for ways to replace car journeys with alternative forms of transport such as walking, cycling, car-pooling, trains or buses.
When you do need to drive, "fuel-efficient driving" - reducing cruising speeds, anticipating traffic flows to drive more smoothly, shutting windows and removing roof-racks to improve aerodynamics, keeping tyres correctly inflated and having your car regularly serviced - can reduce fuel consumption by up to a third.
And if you are buying a new car, consider a smaller, more fuel-efficient one.
Flying is another major source of greenhouse gas emissions. Before you book your next long-haul holiday, consider local holiday options - and think about teleconferencing by computer instead of flying to business meetings.
Facts
- The average Australian car travels 15,000km per year, emitting around four tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
- There are around 11 million cars and trucks in Australia. They consume around 26 billion litres of fuel every year.
- Road traffic accounts for 16 per cent of Australia's greenhouse gases.
Tips
- Don't drive to work - take the train, catch a bus, walk, cycle or carpool with a colleague or neighbour.
- Holiday closer to home - Australia has some of the world's best restaurants, resorts, beaches and natural scenery.
- Combine local errands in one trip. Car engines are least efficient while warming up and in urban traffic, so short trips are relatively more polluting.
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from freight transport by buying local food and products.
- Plant a tree in your garden to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
