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Do's and Don'ts to Help the Planet

"…humanity, if it truly desires peace, must be increasingly be conscious of the links between natural ecology, or respect for nature, and human ecology. Experience shows that disregard for the environment always harms human coexistence, and vice versa. It becomes more and more evident that there is an inseparable link between peace with creation and peace among men."   (POPE BENEDICT XVI WORLD DAY OF PEACE, Jan 1, 2007)

Turning the heating thermostat down, and the air conditioning up, by 1.5°C (3°F) saves around 1 tonne of CO2 (carbon dioxide) a year.  

An energy-efficiency refrigerator could save nearly half a tonne of CO2 a year, compared with an older model.

Gas heaters have star ratings accredited by the Australian Gas Association (AGA) to help you choose the most efficient model.

Locate water heaters close to those areas where hot water is used.

Set the thermostat between 60 to 65°C on storage hot water systems and 50°C on instantaneous systems.

Turn off the hot water system when on holidays.

Avoid opening the oven door unnecessarily when cooking. Make sure the door seal is clean and in good condition.

Use a microwave when possible rather than an oven, as they use less than half the energy.

Try not to over fill the kettle.  Boil only the amount of water needed.

Use a kettle or gas stovetop to boil water rather than a microwave oven or electric cooktop.

Efficient cooking methods such as using pots with fitted lids, simmering instead of boiling and using a pressure cooker will save energy.

A gas cooktop/oven will produce less than half the greenhouse gases of a standard electric unit.

When using gas, kitchen ventilation must be adequate. Use a range hood vented outdoors to get rid of combustion gases and steam.

Fan forced ovens are about 30 percent more efficient than conventional units, which can waste up to 90 percent of the energy used.

Account for about 25 percent of household energy use.

Choose appliances with a 'AAA' rating for water efficiency..

Avoid using appliances unnecessarily.  Dry clothes on a line rather than in the clothes dryer.

Use appropriate load sizes for clothes washers and clothes dryers.

LIGHTING

Use fluorescent or compact fluorescent lamps instead of incandescent bulbs in areas that are used a lot, like living rooms and kitchens.  Some are 75% more efficient than standard light bulbs

Turn off lights when not needed.

Use separate switches for each light fitting.

Consider using solar lighting for outdoor areas.

Use the minimum wattage lamp to provide sufficient light.

Fluorescent bulbs use about one quarter of the energy of normal bulbs.

Use well designed windows and skylights to provide natural light while keeping winter warmth in and summer heat out.

"The destruction of the environment, its improper or selfish use, and the violent hoarding of the earth's resources cause grievances, conflicts and wars, precisely because they are the consequences of an inhumane concept of development."                    (POPE BENEDICT XVI WORLD DAY OF PEACE, Jan 1, 2007)

http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/coolcommunities

http://catholicearthcareoz.net/index.html

http://www.energystar.gov.au