|
 Science and common sense shows that we are indisputably experiencing the onset symptoms of climate shock... an unbalanced loop of global heating and severe weather patterns that has the potential to wreak havoc and destruction on food production, water availability and the structures we live in and around.
 The Weather Makers by Tim Flannery
An Inconvenient Truth By Al Gore
http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/change
http://www.climatechange.com.au
The big picture must inevitably be left to our governments and climate experts for hopefully, rapid, effective legislation and action with a long-term vision for change and repair. In the meantime there are many simple actions we can take personally to reduce our carbon emissions, so we can contribute less to the problem and more to the solution.
http://www.uip.co.uk/aninconvenienttruth/pdf/10things.pdf
Read, listen, talk and act about climate shock
The first and most important thing you can do is become educated about the problem… read, listen, talk and act about climate shock. Don’t wait… the consequences of climate shock have begun and are guaranteed to get our full and undivided attention!
Here are some simple ideas to get started at home with Energy, Water and Garbage.
Energy
Call your electricity supplier and buy 100% renewable power. This reduces your carbon emissions from power use to Zero and invests in expanding low carbon technologies.
Use low-energy light globes in your entire house… as the old ones blow, replace them with compact fluorescent globes available everywhere including supermarkets.
Choose long life, energy efficient appliances when buying or replacing a fridge, washing machine or water heater etc.
Look at your power bills and set a realistic goal to consistently reduce your energy consumption (and save money).
Research and apply the best house heating or cooling methods you have available.
Convert your car to Autogas, there is a government subsidy in Australia that pays the bulk of the bill.
Walk, cycle and use public transport when you can… we are the only civilisations in this planets history to enjoy nearly unlimited powered personal transport, and it has turned out to be entirely unsustainable due to the massive carbon output.
Water
Water is one of the first casualties of climate shock… some places will get too much in the form of floods while elsewhere huge tracts of previously arable land will go into perpetual drought…. like an El Nino event that becomes the normal weather pattern.
Use less water. Fit low flow shower and tap heads and weather proof your garden to survive with less watering. There are many sources of information for selecting plants and garden styles to naturally suit your area… and remember that most older books will not have taken climate shock into account.. everything has changed, so think a few steps ahead.
Put on tanks… recycle grey water and let your car go longer between washes. Shorter showers and low water consumption appliances are high on the hit list.
Garbage
Interestingly, you actually pay for most of the garbage you throw out… every time you buy packaged product, you will most likely have to fill up your bin with the now useless packaging.
Buy fruit and veg from a greengrocer… take a basket or box and don’t accept any plastic or foam packaging. The produce is often fresher and cheaper than a supermarket as well.
Choose products that have little or no packaging and then recycle or reuse absolutely everything you can.
Compost all kitchen scraps and use them in your yard or garden, or a friends. This alone will cut down your garbage output drastically. Keep a few chooks, get a worm farm or grow a few herbs and veges.
Change Towards Better Enviro-Health
Climate shock will mean that we are going to be moving away from our old habits of energy consumption forever… there will be no turning back now and after we address the absolute essentials of lowering carbon emissions and hopefully stabilising the weather patterns, we can then begin to work within the ‘new look’ climate conditions and environment to establish sustainable lifestyle practises.
Request sensible and comprehensive climate/environment policies from your politicians, vote for the environment first and get started at home with Energy, Water and Garbage.
http://www.wwf.org.au/ourwork/climatechange/reduceyourimpact
http://www.acfonline.org.au
http://greenpeace.org.au/index.html
 What are we doing?
At Medicines From Nature, as part of our natural health philosophy we feel strongly about our personal and corporate responsibility to work against climate change for a healthier world and better future. Our long-term strategy to become carbon neutral includes the following measures.
Energy – Our offices and warehouse buy 100% renewable power.
Our product information is printed on recycled paper using environment-friendly soy based inks.
The majority of our product information is web-based to reduce paper waste and associated energy use.
Our packaging is recyclable, with clearly identified codes.
Our supplements are formulated to be stable in ambient storage conditions, which reduces dependence on refrigeration and air conditioning.
We use local manufacturers and raw materials where possible to reduce global freight emissions.
Where possible our company cars run on Autogas.
|
enviro-health 
