Welcome to your first meeting!

Presentation contents 1.What is climate change? 2.Why is carbon a problem? 3.How is climate change affecting Queensland? 4.Understanding carbon 5.What can be done? 6.About the Low Carbon Diet program 7.More information

What is climate change? Climate change is the single biggest environmental threat facing the world today. Climate change (or global warming) is primarily caused by too many greenhouse gases being released into the air. Carbon (dioxide and monoxide) is a greenhouse gas. This means that it is a gas that we know contributes to the greenhouse problem on earth. Carbon dioxide (CO2 ) is the main greenhouse gas emitted. Other greenhouse gases include water vapour, nitrous oxide and methane.

Why is carbon a problem? We have too much carbon gas in the atmosphere. And because we have too much carbon in the atmosphere our planet and our local environments are changing. All together, the gases that are warming the earth are called greenhouse gases because it’s like being in a hothouse or greenhouse. Greenhouse gases Methane Carbon Methane Carbon

How is climate change affecting Queensland? Australia has warmed by about 0.9°C since 1910, with most of the warming occurring since Queensland is warming faster than the national average. Since 1950, Queensland has warmed by around 0.8 °C in the far north, and by 1.5 – 2 °C in the southern and south-western interior. So what does this mean for our state?

Future impacts Climate change could have a number of potential impacts on Queensland’s weather (eg. warmer temperatures, higher sea levels, changes in rainfall patterns, and increased storm and cyclone intensity). This will mean an increased risk of flooding, with coastal areas threatened by rising seas, cyclones and storm surges. Climate change could cause significant loss of biodiversity. Biodiversity is defined as “the variety of all life forms – the different plants, animals and micro-organisms, the genes they contain, and the ecosystems of which they form a part.” This will mean major impacts on the Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics rainforests—a lot of plants and species will not survive.

Think Tank Questions for the EcoTeam: What are some ways that climate change affects or can affect you and/or community? What changes have they seen? What issues are they really concerned about?

Understanding carbon Carbon footprint: is a measure of the environmental impact of a person’s or organisations lifestyle or operation. It is measured in units of CO2. Even though much of the time we cannot see how we do things harms our environment or ourselves, they do, including:  The electricity we choose and use  Transport choices  Waste – how much we generate and what we do with it  Food – where it comes from

Electricity Most households use coal fired electricity. When we use coal fired energy, each time we cook, use the air conditioner, use an electric heater, lights or the television, DVD, VCR, the clothes dryer, running a pool or spa pump, even heating up a jug of water for a great cuppa – we contribute to the growing amount of carbon.

Transport Carbon is found in the gas that is released from motorised transport eg. cars, motorbikes, trucks, construction equipment (such as forklifts, graders and dozers), boats, etc. Every time we drive our car or use other forms of motorised transport, we release more carbon gas into the air and atmosphere.

Waste Waste is usually thought of as something that is left over or that is no longer needed. If it is not properly managed, waste can cause pollution and impact on our environment. Did you know that the average Queensland household generates a 1.3 tonnes of greenhouse gas per year, just through what we throw away?

Food Products tend to be more processed and packaged than ever before – this means we use more energy and produce more waste for each kilogram of goods we buy. Buying food that is grown or transported a long way from your home also contributes to the carbon problem. When food is transported by motorised vehicles, such as trucks, trains, etc., carbon gases are released into the world.

The “home” truth about carbon Many things that we do or use at home contributes to the growing problem of carbon in the atmosphere. Because we each generate so much carbon from the things we do, it means that there are so many possibilities and options to make a difference and reduce our impact on our environment.

Think Tank Question for the EcoTeam: What are some ways that you can help to reduce your carbon?

What can be done? The Queensland Government is committed to helping Queenslanders cut their carbon footprint. The current carbon footprint of the average Queensland household is almost tonnes* of CO2 each year (or 13,770 kg). All of our carbon footprints add up to have a negative impact on our environment. By making small positive changes to our everyday practices we can make a big difference. The Low Carbon Diet can help you reduce your carbon footprint. * Source: Towards Q2:Tomorrow’s Queensland, Queensland Government, 2008.

About the Low Carbon Diet program By coming here today, you have taken the first step towards reducing the future impact of climate change on Queensland. The Low Carbon Diet shows you how to make simple changes to your everyday actions to help lighten your carbon footprint! The success of the program centres around community members working together to motivate each other to set and reach their carbon footprint reduction goals.

Aims for the first meeting 1.Form an EcoTeam so you can encourage and motivate each other – maybe even have a competition as to who can lose the emissions first! 2.Calculate your current CO2 emissions with the carbon calculator online at Create a CO2 Reduction Action Plan and choose which actions you will do to reduce your emissions levels.

Your CO 2 Reduction Action Plan The Low Carbon Diet manual (see your facilitator) and the carbon calculator will guide you in creating your CO2 Reduction Action Plan. A CO2 Reduction Action Plan will help you to reach your goal of reducing your carbon footprint by 2000 kg per year. You choose actions that equal a reduction of 2000 kg of CO2 per year and commit to making those changes! The actions you choose might be different to your friends or neighbours but that’s ok – you choose what suits your lifestyle and situation. Think of it like a target you are setting yourself – e.g. By this date, I will lose X by doing these actions.

Think Tank Questions for the EcoTeam: When and where will we meet next? What do we want to have achieved by the next meeting?

Team actions after the meeting 1.Ensure you have a copy of the Low Carbon Diet resources:  An individual copy of the CO2 Reduction Action Plan  A Low Carbon Tips booklet that covers a wide range of actions  Postcards and fact sheets to promote the program to friends 2.Start making low carbon changes to your life today! Remember, like any diet, changes may not be appear straight away but they will happen! Stay motivated! 3.After you have received your next energy bill fill out the calculator again to monitor how those changes have affected your carbon footprint (and how much money you have saved)!

More information For information about the ClimateSmart Living campaign, go to For more information on Towards Q2:Tomorrow’s Queensland (Queensland Government) For more information about the impacts of climate change in Queensland go to The Low Carbon Diet is a key program under the Queensland Government’s ClimateSmart Living campaign.