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Energy is so much a part of life that we often use it without thinking, especially when it's in the form of electricity. But the fact is, most electricity in Australia comes from burning fossil fuels like coal, gas or oil (except in Tasmania). Among other things, this produces carbon dioxide - lots of it. With the build up of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere comes the risk of global warming - this is known as the Greenhouse Effect.
However, burning fossil fuels for energy is not just a problem because of the Greenhouse Effect. If we use them efficiently it means we're making better use of these finite, non-renewable natural resources. So saving energy makes environmental sense - for us and for future generations.
Energy costs money too - both for individuals and for the community. Using it efficiently means you save on your energy bills, and it also means we can put off building new power stations for longer.
The good news is, it's not hard to save energy. Just look for the stars and reduce your energy bills and help us all reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.
Greenhouse gases are a natural part of the atmosphere. They trap the sun's warmth, and maintain the earth's surface temperature at a level necessary to support life. The problem we now face is that human actions - particularly the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas) and land clearing - are increasing the concentrations of these gases, creating the prospect of global climate change.
The effects of climate change will vary around the globe. Temperature rises are expected to be greater towards the poles than near the equator, and over land than at sea. While rainfall is expected to increase in some areas and decrease in others, likely changes in rainfall for particular regions are still highly uncertain.
Given the wide range of climates experienced across Australia and the large natural variability of Australia and its climate, it is hard to predict what the impacts of climate change will be and where they will occur. It is possible that there will be positive and negative impacts. These impacts may affect the distribution of plants and animals; the frequency of storms and floods; and the spread of weeds, pests and diseases which may influence agriculture and human health.
Burning coal to produce electricity, the most common method of electricity production in Australia, creates millions of tonnes of greenhouse gases each year. Efficient appliances reduce the demand for electricity, and so reduce the production of greenhouse gases.
Energy use is the dominant source of Australian greenhouse gas emissions, 55 per cent of total emissions are generated by the combustion of fuels to provide stationary energy such as electricity. With Australia's households accounting for almost 20 percent of our national greenhouse gas emissions, efficient appliances can play an important role in helping Australia meet our overall greenhouse gas reduction target.
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