New research by comparison website Finder.com.au has discovered that the equivalent of two in five Australians don’t care about going green, a startling discovery given that going green contributes to creating cleaner water and air, preserves natural resources and reduces the impact of global warming.
The research from Finder.com.au surveyed 2033 Australians on their energy habits, and found that when purchasing new appliances, the average Australian is more likely to consider the price, brand name and reputation of the item over the energy rating. In fact, the survey found that 41 per cent of Australians don’t care about the energy rating at all. An interesting fact given energy-efficient appliances can save you anywhere from a hundred dollars to thousands of dollars on your energy bills each year, depending on your usage and the kinds of appliances you have.
By reducing our energy consumption, or using alternative energy sources, we reduce the amount of fossil fuels being burnt. Not only are fossil fuels limited in supply and unsustainable in the long run, but burning them produces greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gases are widely believed to contribute to global warming, an issue the Australian government acknowledges.
The World Wildlife Foundation reports that Australia ranks among the highest carbon polluting countries in the world, with 22 tonnes of carbon pollution emitted per person in 2015. More than one-third of our emissions come from our electricity consumption, so we can make huge emissions reductions by increasing the energy efficiency of our homes and businesses.
Save money and do your part to preserve the environment with these top tips for reducing your energy usage:
- Switch off unused lights and appliances at the power-point on the wall when not in use.
- Only heat or cool the parts of the house most in use.
- Choose energy efficient appliances.
- Use energy-efficient lightbulbs, such as LEDs which have a longer life span and use less power.
You might also like:
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Eco-friendly alternatives to try for plastic-free July
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