Environment

You’ve heard all the lingo by now – but do you know what it all means? What’s the difference between global warming and the greenhouse effect? Is your washing machine energy efficient, environmentally friendly, or both? What’s YOUR ecological footprint? Let’s straighten out some of the jargon to help YOU understand if you’re doing the right thing or not.

Global warming refers to the increase in the Earth’s temperature since the mid-twentieth century, believed to be caused by toxic emissions and deforestation. These circumstances are affected by the greenhouse effect – which refers to the way heat from the sun is trapped in the Earth’s atmosphere by greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane. This greenhouse effect is normal and necessary, but experts now believe that due to the increase in these gases, the Earth’s atmosphere is trapping more of the sun’s heat than is ideal.

If something is labeled ‘energy efficient’ it simply means it uses less energy than normal – for example, a fluorescent light bulb. These days, most electronic goods, particularly washing machines and fridges, are rated for their energy efficiency. Of course, anything energy efficient is environmentally friendly – as is anything that doesn’t harm the environment. Recyclable goods, or products made from renewable resources without chemicals or pollution, are all considered eco-friendly.

Renewable resources are considered such if they can be replaced as quickly as they are consumed. Some examples are wood, paper and leather, if they are harvested in a sustainable way. Gas, coal, and fossil fuels are NOT renewable resources. Solar power, wind power and hydropower are all considered perpetual resources, because there’s no danger of ever having a shortage of them.

Sustainability means ‘with the capacity to endure ’, in other words, in a way that can be continued indefinitely without depletion. Current evidence says that humans are living in a non-sustainable way – that is, we consume more than we produce, and at this rate, will one day simply run out of resources.

So your ecological footprint? It’s a measure of your demand on the Earth against the Earth’s ability to provide for your lifestyle. In 2005, humanity’s ecological footprint was measured as 1.3 – meaning, we use the Earth’s resources 1.3 times faster than we can renew them. There are several websites where you can measure your personal footprint – perhaps you should check how you stand!

Never has the world used more plastic bags than right now. Every day, consumers around the world take home about four billion plastic bags, and little do they know the impact their actions are having on the environment around them. Not only do plastic bags account for about 100 million tons each year, they also cause over 100, 000 marine animal deaths annually and add tons of carbon emissions into the air. Did you know that approximately 80 million barrels of oil are required to make the world's plastic bags every year? Some experts predict the world's oil resources will run out in the next ten years. Perhaps, only then will the world start to take the plastic bag crisis seriously.

Not only do plastic bags create millions of tons of landfill, they take at least 500 years to breakdown.

Only after the government offers incentives or enforces strict laws, will the people learn to find alternatives to plastic bags.

On 'Clean Up Australia Day' people collect around 500, 000 plastic bags. Unfortunately, about 50 million bags end up as trash annually in Australia.

Seldom I have I seen such a tragic sight as a dolphin dead from eating a plastic bag.

Never have we faced such a difficult decision.

We'll surely meet a grim fate.

One good way to save energy is to take the bus.

That play may have disastrous results.

If we don't change, we will face dire consequences.

Your colleague wants to live a more environmentally-friendly lifestyle, but he is not sure how to go about it. Help him make decisions on how to change his habits and lessen his impact on the environment. Listen and respond appropriately. Speak into your microphone.