New campaign to educate families on carbon pollution

17 May 2009

A major education campaign to help households save power, keep energy bills down and reduce carbon pollution was launched by the Premier Nathan Rees and Deputy Premier Carmel Tebbutt today.

The ‘what can you do in your world’ campaign is a community awareness package including television ads and a new website that explains carbon pollution through the use of simple black balloons.

“Most Australians understand that greenhouse gases and carbon pollution are serious environmental problems,” said Mr Rees.

“Showing what that actually looks like has been a challenge but this new campaign uses a simple black balloon to show how much pollution our everyday appliances produce.

“One balloon equals around 50 grams of carbon pollution and families can save more than 11,600 black balloons a year when they upgrade to energy efficient light globes.

“These are tough economic times and we want to help people take small, practical steps to save money and the environment.

“Education and practical support will help NSW lead the nation as the Green State,” said Mr Rees.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Climate Change and the Environment Carmel Tebbutt said the community package encourages personal action to combat climate change in everyone’s home.

"Our research shows that 61 percent of people are willing to reduce the amount of electricity they use to prevent global warming and we want to provide them with the tools to do that,” said Ms Tebbutt.

“The average NSW household produces around 8 tonnes of carbon pollution and 160,000 black balloons every year.

“This means we all have the chance to make a difference ourselves.

“Simple changes like switching mobile phone chargers, televisions and stereo systems off at the power point can save 10,100 black balloons, or 505kg of carbon pollution each year,” said Ms Tebbutt.

For more information visit the website www.savepower.nsw.gov.au.

Saving power - some facts and figures

• A black balloon measuring 36cm in diameter equates to 50 grams of carbon pollution (greenhouse gas).
• The average NSW household produces around 8 tonnes of carbon pollution and 160,000 black balloons every year.
• Electricity is responsible for 94% of energy-related household greenhouse emissions in NSW homes (average 7.3MWh).
• In 2008, 58% of NSW households used electric hot water and the power used can account for more than a third of NSW households' electricity bills.
• Electric-boosted solar hot water can reduce power by 70%, save 42,000 black balloons (2,100kg of carbon pollution) and save $103.
• Replacing all of the old-style light bulbs in your home with compact fluorescent globes can save 11,600 black balloons.
• Computers, mobile phone chargers, TVs, DVDs and stereos account for between 13% to 20% of the electricity bill of a typical three person home in Western Sydney.
• Switching those appliances off at the power point when they are not in use can save 10,100 black balloons.
• Fridges and freezers account for 14% of the power bill of a typical three-person home in Western Sydney.
• The NSW Government’s Climate Change fund rebates for hot water systems insulation, rainwater tanks and washing machines target the biggest water and energy uses in NSW homes.
• More than $33 million has been paid for 72,000 rebates, saving 1.4 billion litres of water and 61,000 tonnes of carbon pollution a year.