Caring for the Environment

 

“Some warming of the climate is inevitable as a result of the greenhouse gases humans have already contributed to the atmosphere. Surface temperatures and sea levels will continue to rise for hundreds of years, even if greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere are stabilised…”

(Understanding Greenhouse Science, Australian Greenhouse Office, 2002)

 

A 2004 CSIRO study entitled Climate Change in the Northern Territory indicated that temperatures, water supply, floods, drought frequency and severity of tropical cyclones and storm surges could change significantly due to the greenhouse effect.

Saving money and the environment

Use the table below to work out how much greenhouse gas you produce by driving to work or other destinations. You can play a part in helping the environment by using public transport and leaving the car at home! A family car generates up to a third of a kilogram of greenhouse gases per kilometre. Every litre of petrol saved reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 2.5 kilograms.

Leave your car at home and save the environment!
Distance you live from the City	Weekly distance travelled	Greenhouse Gas Emissions per week	Distance travelled per year based on standard working year	Greenhouse Gas Emissions over one year
25 km	250 km	67.6 kg	11,550 km	3.12 tonnes
20 km	200 km	54.1 kg	9,240 km	2.50 tonnes
15 km	150 km	40.6 kg	6,930 km	1.87 tonnes
10 km	100 km	27.1 kg	4,620 km	1.25 tonnes
5 km	50 km	13.5 kg	2,310 km	0.62 tonnes
Figures based on 231 working days per year (46.2 weeks) driving a Commodore Executive VZ automatic 3.8L sedan emitting 270.5g CO2/km and with a Greenhouse rating of 4.5. Figures taken from Green Vehicle Guide, supplied by the Australian Greenhouse Office.