Published Wednesday, 25 June, 2008 at 01:12 PM
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation
The Honourable Andrew McNamara
Climate Change Target: 500,000 Queenslanders to Take ‘Low Carbon’ Diet by 2010
Queenslanders have been set the challenge of losing weight - one million tonnes to be exact – to help meet the challenge of climate change.
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation, Andrew McNamara, set the carbon weight-loss challenge at the launch of the $3 million ClimateSmart Communities program, designed to equip Queenslanders with the know-how they need to make energy savings at home.
“On average, every Queensland household produces 11 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions a year from electricity use alone,” Mr McNamara said.
“ClimateSmart Communities is about giving householders the tools and know-how they need to cut carbon-fat.
“The initiative is based on an international model which recognises that people want to help meet the challenge of climate change, but often don’t have the tools or know-how to do it.”
Mr McNamara said the low carbon campaign is designed around recommendations of the Premier’s Council on Climate Change, which met for the second time today.
The Council was established to provide the State Government with advice on key priorities of action on climate change issues, and this program is a positive and tangible outcome of their important work.
The ClimateSmart Communities program includes two components:
1. Low Carbon Diet (Community Challenge)
A two-year challenge where Queensland’s community and sporting organisations recruit households to take the 30-day ‘Low Carbon Diet’.
“The Diet has been developed by renowned behavioural change expert David Gershon and provides a menu of options for householders to reach a carbon-loss target of 2,000 kilos a year,” Mr McNamara said.
“Options can be as simple as reducing the use of your dishwasher or washing machine by one load a week – to attaching a timer to your pool pump – to purchasing carbon offsets when you fly.
“Every little thing adds up to make a big difference.
“AFL Queensland, Greening Australia and Keeping Australia Beautiful have already signed up and I will write to 1500 other organisations today encouraging them to take part.”
Target: 500,000 Queenslanders = total of 1 million tonne reduction in greenhouse gas emissions (equivalent of taking 160,000 cars off the road)
Government will offer grants of up to $10,000 to eligible organisations to implement the program and engage facilitators to help it happen, and prizes will also be up for grabs for the best greenhouse gas savings, including eco-friendly cars, solar power panels and energy efficient appliances.
2. 7-day Carbon Challenge (Individual challenge)
From today, Queenslanders can calculate their carbon footprint online and take a 7-day challenge to reduce it.
With plenty of useful tips, there is also an advanced program for households that want to go carbon neutral.
Participants can create their own profile to track their progress.
Mr McNamara encouraged all Queenslanders to get on board.
“Queenslanders care about what is happening to our climate – they have already demonstrated this in their extraordinary efforts to save water.
“Let’s keep our momentum and enthusiasm for sustainable behaviour going and set ourselves an ongoing climate change challenge – Queensland and the planet’s futures depend on it,” he said.
For more information go to www.climatesmart.qld.gov.au
Media contact: Peter McCarthy 3336 8004
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation, Andrew McNamara, set the carbon weight-loss challenge at the launch of the $3 million ClimateSmart Communities program, designed to equip Queenslanders with the know-how they need to make energy savings at home.
“On average, every Queensland household produces 11 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions a year from electricity use alone,” Mr McNamara said.
“ClimateSmart Communities is about giving householders the tools and know-how they need to cut carbon-fat.
“The initiative is based on an international model which recognises that people want to help meet the challenge of climate change, but often don’t have the tools or know-how to do it.”
Mr McNamara said the low carbon campaign is designed around recommendations of the Premier’s Council on Climate Change, which met for the second time today.
The Council was established to provide the State Government with advice on key priorities of action on climate change issues, and this program is a positive and tangible outcome of their important work.
The ClimateSmart Communities program includes two components:
1. Low Carbon Diet (Community Challenge)
A two-year challenge where Queensland’s community and sporting organisations recruit households to take the 30-day ‘Low Carbon Diet’.
“The Diet has been developed by renowned behavioural change expert David Gershon and provides a menu of options for householders to reach a carbon-loss target of 2,000 kilos a year,” Mr McNamara said.
“Options can be as simple as reducing the use of your dishwasher or washing machine by one load a week – to attaching a timer to your pool pump – to purchasing carbon offsets when you fly.
“Every little thing adds up to make a big difference.
“AFL Queensland, Greening Australia and Keeping Australia Beautiful have already signed up and I will write to 1500 other organisations today encouraging them to take part.”
Target: 500,000 Queenslanders = total of 1 million tonne reduction in greenhouse gas emissions (equivalent of taking 160,000 cars off the road)
Government will offer grants of up to $10,000 to eligible organisations to implement the program and engage facilitators to help it happen, and prizes will also be up for grabs for the best greenhouse gas savings, including eco-friendly cars, solar power panels and energy efficient appliances.
2. 7-day Carbon Challenge (Individual challenge)
From today, Queenslanders can calculate their carbon footprint online and take a 7-day challenge to reduce it.
With plenty of useful tips, there is also an advanced program for households that want to go carbon neutral.
Participants can create their own profile to track their progress.
Mr McNamara encouraged all Queenslanders to get on board.
“Queenslanders care about what is happening to our climate – they have already demonstrated this in their extraordinary efforts to save water.
“Let’s keep our momentum and enthusiasm for sustainable behaviour going and set ourselves an ongoing climate change challenge – Queensland and the planet’s futures depend on it,” he said.
For more information go to www.climatesmart.qld.gov.au
Media contact: Peter McCarthy 3336 8004