Reviewing Key Issues
Energy
Where does our energy come from? Approximately 95% of electricity generated in Victoria currently comes from burning coal
Australia’s total emissions Source: State and Territory Greenhouse Gas Inventories 2006, published by the Australian Government (Emissions from extracting oil & gas) (emissions from electricity generation)
If the atmosphere warmed by 2 °C Australian ecosystems and coastal communities would be seriously affected, and we’d struggle to make sure we had enough water If it warmed by 3 °C our agriculture and forestry would be in trouble. If it warmed by 4°C infrastructure, sustainable development and tourism would be in trouble, climate change would be causing health problems which would be causing deaths, and we’d be struggling to make sure we had a reliable energy supply.
Where does most energy get used at home?
Energy used in the home Source: Victorian Energy Efficiency Action Statement, Department of Sustainability and Environment, 2006
Waste
490 kg garbage per house per year 199 kg per person per year 490 kg
The waste hierarchy 2 Reusing materials 3 Recycling & reprocessing materials 4 Energy recovery before disposing 5 No conservation of resources 1 Maximum conservation of resources
Water
How much water do we use? Average daily water use per person info for your area is available from: water-consumption water-consumption E.g. Ballarat 151L/person/day; Geelong 178L; Melbourne 159L; Mildura 436L
Where do we use our water? Average household water use Bathroom 51% Laundry 22% Garden 19% Kitchen 8%