Published Thursday, 15 November, 2007 at 04:05 PM
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation
The Honourable Andrew McNamara
Fridge at four helps cool the climate
Queenslanders are being asked to check their fridge temperatures tomorrow (16 November) for ‘Cool it by Degrees Day’, the second ‘call to action’ in the Queensland Government’s ClimateSmart Living campaign.
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation, Andrew McNamara, said ‘Cool it by Degrees Day’ follows the very successful Change a Light Bulb Day.
Mr McNamara encouraged every Queenslander to take the pledge to make a difference to the environment by setting their fridges to 4ºC.
“Your fridge is one of the largest users of energy in your home and a change of just 1ºC can reduce energy consumption by up to five percent,” Mr McNamara said.
“International expert advice is that food should be stored at 5 degrees or less to prevent spoiling and the growth of bacteria.
“That’s the recommendation from organisations such as the World Health Organisation, Queensland Health, the Food Standards Australia New Zealand and the United States Department of Agriculture.
“With the ‘Cool it by Degrees’ campaign, we are encouraging people to set their fridges to 4 degrees to allow a margin of error.
“This will keep your fridge cool and safe, and any lower than this consumes more energy than necessary – costing you money and creating excess greenhouse gas emissions.
“The 4 degrees figure was determined to err on the side of caution.”
Mr McNamara said the best way to check your fridge temperature is to use a thermometer.
Free fridge thermometers are available at Westfield shopping centres, Retravision and Good Guys stores throughout Queensland, and from Nova FM’s Street Machines.
EPA staff will be giving away thermometers at Brisbane’s Central Station tomorrow morning.
“The best place to position your thermometer is on the top shelf near the thermostat, as this is the warmest part of the fridge and will ensure all your food will be stored safely,” Mr McNamara said.
“If the temperature is 4 degrees on the top shelf, the rest of the fridge should be at least that cold.
“It will be necessary to check the temperature each 15 minutes or so when the thermometer is first installed to get the setting just right.”
“‘Cool it by Degrees’ follows on from the highly successful Change a Light Bulb Day, where more than 36,000 Queenslanders made the switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) in the first step to reducing household greenhouse gas emissions.
“The number of Queenslanders who installed CFLs has saved 3,870 tonnes of greenhouse gasses from entering the atmosphere every year, which is equivalent to planting 19,700 trees,” Mr McNamara said.
“By doing simple things like changing a light bulb or setting your fridge to 4ºC, Queenslanders can truly see that it’s the little things we do that can make a world of difference.”
To find out more information about Cool it by Degrees Day and the other things you can do to reduce your personal greenhouse gas emissions, log onto www.climatesmart.qld.gov.au.
Media contact: Peter McCarthy 3336 8004
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation, Andrew McNamara, said ‘Cool it by Degrees Day’ follows the very successful Change a Light Bulb Day.
Mr McNamara encouraged every Queenslander to take the pledge to make a difference to the environment by setting their fridges to 4ºC.
“Your fridge is one of the largest users of energy in your home and a change of just 1ºC can reduce energy consumption by up to five percent,” Mr McNamara said.
“International expert advice is that food should be stored at 5 degrees or less to prevent spoiling and the growth of bacteria.
“That’s the recommendation from organisations such as the World Health Organisation, Queensland Health, the Food Standards Australia New Zealand and the United States Department of Agriculture.
“With the ‘Cool it by Degrees’ campaign, we are encouraging people to set their fridges to 4 degrees to allow a margin of error.
“This will keep your fridge cool and safe, and any lower than this consumes more energy than necessary – costing you money and creating excess greenhouse gas emissions.
“The 4 degrees figure was determined to err on the side of caution.”
Mr McNamara said the best way to check your fridge temperature is to use a thermometer.
Free fridge thermometers are available at Westfield shopping centres, Retravision and Good Guys stores throughout Queensland, and from Nova FM’s Street Machines.
EPA staff will be giving away thermometers at Brisbane’s Central Station tomorrow morning.
“The best place to position your thermometer is on the top shelf near the thermostat, as this is the warmest part of the fridge and will ensure all your food will be stored safely,” Mr McNamara said.
“If the temperature is 4 degrees on the top shelf, the rest of the fridge should be at least that cold.
“It will be necessary to check the temperature each 15 minutes or so when the thermometer is first installed to get the setting just right.”
“‘Cool it by Degrees’ follows on from the highly successful Change a Light Bulb Day, where more than 36,000 Queenslanders made the switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) in the first step to reducing household greenhouse gas emissions.
“The number of Queenslanders who installed CFLs has saved 3,870 tonnes of greenhouse gasses from entering the atmosphere every year, which is equivalent to planting 19,700 trees,” Mr McNamara said.
“By doing simple things like changing a light bulb or setting your fridge to 4ºC, Queenslanders can truly see that it’s the little things we do that can make a world of difference.”
To find out more information about Cool it by Degrees Day and the other things you can do to reduce your personal greenhouse gas emissions, log onto www.climatesmart.qld.gov.au.
Media contact: Peter McCarthy 3336 8004