Climate challenge

Albany & Great Southern Weekender
Thursday 12/7/2007 Page: 7

THE Albany Community Environment Centre (ACEC) has taken on the challenge of addressing climate change in Albany. It is hoping Albany will become a leader in cutting greenhouse gas emissions, without waiting for government to introduce changes. ACEC spokesperson Helen Knewstub said that apart from saving energy, residents could save money on their monthly bills. "We are already in a great position with the option of using natural power via the Albany Wind Farm," ACEC spokesperson Helen Knewstub said.

The group took its first step recently by hosting `Save Water and Power' speaker, Rob Gulley, from Environment House in Perth, who addressed community groups and undertook home energy audits. Ms Knewstub said he pointed out that one unit of electricity was equal to one kilogram of greenhouse gases (GHG). "The Save Water and Power talk empowers people to take charge of their energy consumption at home in a number of ways," she said. "People can save power on their bills by choosing efficient appliances, and keeping them running efficiently.

"By doing simple things such as insulating the hot water pipe from water heaters, people can keep water warmer for longer, reducing their overall power consumption" Ms Knewstub said that with Albany's population around 30,000, if all the work places and homes saved a few units of energy, a minimum of 10,000 kgs of GHGs could be saved, as well as money off power bills. "Businesses and government agencies could make substantial savings," she said. "I'd like to see equipment such as boiling urns and microwaves turned off at the switch overnight and weekends when they're not being used." For more information, Ms Knewstub can be contacted on 98425121.