Quality not quantity
61337
Energy; Water; Waste
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Building resilience for the future
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I'm a single mother of three children aged 5 and 3 (twins). Life is a bit hectic but will not always be this busy.
About 10 years ago I felt the urge to get into this 'environmental' stuff. I did some study at uni and my sustainability journey began.
I am now a sustainability advisor on government projects and for businesses.
About 10 years ago I felt the urge to get into this 'environmental' stuff. I did some study at uni and my sustainability journey began.
I am now a sustainability advisor on government projects and for businesses.
's story
For me it's nice to have a lighter impact on the earth but most importantly my quality of life is better. I use less resources, it costs less, my family are healthier, we live comfortably (less need to heat and cool) and I don't have to work as much to pay for it all.
I've taken advantage of many government incentives. Solar panel rebate ($8,000), Green Loan ($10,000 interest free), 60c per kWh paid for the energy I produce, roof insulation ($1,600) - and more to do on solar hot water and rainwater tanks.
My first priority is to reduce energy use. This is where prices will impact most in the short term. It's also one of the hardest to do as it isn't logical to replace all big ticket items before we need to.
At the same time I'm reducing water use but for me this seems easier to do (I used to live on tank water) and the financial costs are currently not as great. I think there is a lot to be gained from re-using water. To do that we need to think more about what we put into it. There are health impacts of chemicals and pathogens. I have a sub surface greywater pipe to disperse my washing machine water to a swale (ditch). This retains water and allows it to soak into the ground (with many future garden benefits I'm yet to implement).
Food production is an emerging priority. When we start to pay the REAL price for food (the carbon price of fertilisers, transport, water etc) it will become less available. I am building my skills to get more food from my garden which makes my family more resilient in the future. A key benefit is that my children eat better, giving health benefits - again improving quality of life. And it's very satisfying!
Waste is low in my home. I spent some time looking at my shopping to reduce packaging, additives and imported foods. Real prices will mean these things cost more. In the future we will also pay more to dispose of waste so it's a benefit to learn how to reduce it now. Recycling is not the answer, reducing all packaging is.
My journey will never end. I'm constantly assessing and improving my resource use. It's not fluffy greeny stuff - it makes good sense.
I've taken advantage of many government incentives. Solar panel rebate ($8,000), Green Loan ($10,000 interest free), 60c per kWh paid for the energy I produce, roof insulation ($1,600) - and more to do on solar hot water and rainwater tanks.
My first priority is to reduce energy use. This is where prices will impact most in the short term. It's also one of the hardest to do as it isn't logical to replace all big ticket items before we need to.
At the same time I'm reducing water use but for me this seems easier to do (I used to live on tank water) and the financial costs are currently not as great. I think there is a lot to be gained from re-using water. To do that we need to think more about what we put into it. There are health impacts of chemicals and pathogens. I have a sub surface greywater pipe to disperse my washing machine water to a swale (ditch). This retains water and allows it to soak into the ground (with many future garden benefits I'm yet to implement).
Food production is an emerging priority. When we start to pay the REAL price for food (the carbon price of fertilisers, transport, water etc) it will become less available. I am building my skills to get more food from my garden which makes my family more resilient in the future. A key benefit is that my children eat better, giving health benefits - again improving quality of life. And it's very satisfying!
Waste is low in my home. I spent some time looking at my shopping to reduce packaging, additives and imported foods. Real prices will mean these things cost more. In the future we will also pay more to dispose of waste so it's a benefit to learn how to reduce it now. Recycling is not the answer, reducing all packaging is.
My journey will never end. I'm constantly assessing and improving my resource use. It's not fluffy greeny stuff - it makes good sense.
's recommendations
The most 'environmentally friendly' thing I do is keep my money in my pocket. The following is a process I use to spend money.
1. Do I really need it? Will it improve my quality of life?
2. Can it be borrowed, hired or purchased second hand?
3. If I do buy, is it energy and water efficient (both in manufacture and use)
4. Is it produced ethically
5. Can it be returned to the manufacturer at the end of its life
1. Do I really need it? Will it improve my quality of life?
2. Can it be borrowed, hired or purchased second hand?
3. If I do buy, is it energy and water efficient (both in manufacture and use)
4. Is it produced ethically
5. Can it be returned to the manufacturer at the end of its life
