Changing what we do
Many people do not like change and will find all sorts of reasons to avoid it. The reality is that what we have been doing has dramatically changed our planet to the point where the very way our planet works and the ecosystems it supports are now out of kilter, putting many species, including our own, at risk. By adjusting how we live can minimise our impact upon our planet.
Many changes are not at all difficult. Even a small change can have a big impact, if not on the world, then for a single species. There is a lot to be said for concept of “Thinking globally, acting locally”. Looking back over the years we have made many changes to make the planet a better place at little personal cost. Here are some examples.
Preventing damage to the atmosphere due to the use of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). It really did not take much to find other propellants for pressure packs or to replace them with trigger sprays, to change the servicing and decommissioning of refrigerators and air conditioners to prevent CFCs escaping and to use different processes to produce foam packaging. The closure of the Antarctic ozone hole was our reward.
Recently, we saw the banning of single use plastic shopping bags. While multiple use bags cost more, we have all adapted to use them; we just need to remember to take them.
In 2014, 88% of Victoria’s electricity was generated through the burning of fossil fuels (mainly brown coal in the Latrobe Valley) and 12% from renewables. By 2022 the percentage of Victoria’s generated from renewables had increased to 34% and is expected to reach 95% by 2035. While some of this is due to the use of domestic rooftop solar panels, most of the renewable energy is generated by solar farms and land-based wind farms. Planned offshore wind farms will significantly boost Victoria’s ability to generate electricity from renewables. We are also getting smarter as to how we use our electricity.
We are in experiencing a revolution in transport with the development and uptake of EVs. The uptake of EVs should continue as the ‘blockers’ are removed. They have become more affordable with vertically integrated Chinese companies entering the market. As with all emerging technologies EVs are becoming cheaper and better. A lack of charging stations in rural areas is seen by many to be a problem. However, as charging stations spread and the ranges of the cars improve, EVs will become viable in rural areas. Many don’t realise that EVs are only as ‘green’ as the electricity used to charge them and at present the bulk Victoria’s electricity is generated by burning brown coal. Presently the number of EVs being sold is very small compared with fuel powered cars. However, Victoria has committed to EVs making up half of light vehicle sales by 2030.
Another big change in our lives that has had a big impact upon our environment is the use of computers. These are not necessarily laptops and PCs, rather they are the small computers incorporated into all sorts of things to make them more efficient. They are everywhere. They are in our cars, planes, machines, in factories. It is hard to find any current technology that has not been impacted by computers. Often computers can be linked to other technologies such as GPS.
Presently we are living at a time of many changes, many of which are aimed at making our lives upon the planet sustainable. We must make these changes; it is not a matter of choice.
During the COVID lockdowns, many adapted to working at home remotely. Some people have since continued working from home. Commuting from the breakfast table to the home office is virtually emission free and, in many cases, it is more efficient to heat or cool people’s houses than it is a large office building.
Australian homes are not that efficient and rely upon heaters and air conditioners to keep them at a pleasant temperature. We are starting to see governments insisting upon new builds having double glazing, insulation and better sealing. Complaints about how much is added to the cost of a new house are short-sighted. In the longer term these changes will actually save consumers money. It is a win/win for the consumers and for the environment.
While some changes may end up being failures or technological dead-ends and some changes may add costs, we need to remain open to change. We cannot afford not to be.
