Blog
Going all electric at home! Do I need 3-phase and a new switchboard??
Many households and apartments will be well on the way to being ‘all electric’ over the next five to ten years.
Home owners are wondering ‘do I need to go 3-phase? And do I need to upgrade my switchboard’?
Agriculture – on farm and off-farm Climate Action
Success stories and challenges On July 26th Lighter Footprints was delighted to welcome 3 subject matter experts from quite different farming backgrounds, but who all 'live ag' and are working in different ways for climate action and climate resilience. The three...
Reducing your hot water costs
Hot water systems are one of the biggest energy users in the home, accounting for around 21 per cent of total energy use.
This can have a significant impact on household energy bills. One way to keep these costs under control is to install an efficient hot water system such as a heat pump hot water.
Monique Ryan: the First Year
Dr Monique Ryan MP was elected to Parliament on 21 May 2022. She rode a teal wave of optimism for action on climate change, integrity in government and gender equality. A full house at the Balwyn Park Centre came to hear Dr Ryan's reflections on her first year in...
Electrify our homes with Tim Forcey and Dr Genevieve Cowie
On May 24th Lighter Footprints was delighted to welcome home energy expert Tim Forcey and public health physician Dr Genevieve Cowie to our meeting on electrification. The summary below has blue links in bold to the full video presentation chapter points. You can...
The Difference Between Passivhaus (Passive House) and Passive Solar Buildings
Sustainable Architecture: Passivhaus (Passive House) vs Passive Solar Buildings This article relates to alterations, renovations and new builds. It attempts to clarify the differences between the passive solar design and Passivhaus design approaches. Many people...
Energy Efficiency – the basics
Simple steps can make your home warmer in winter, cooler in summer, lower energy costs, reduce dust, vermin, bugs and noise. Draught Proofing What are draughts? Draughts are uncontrolled outside air entering our homes through gaps and holes. They differ from...
Reducing Australia’s Emissions: The Dirty Dozen Campaign and The Safeguard Mechanism
An informative and enjoyable event On Wednesday 26 April, Lighter Footprints hosted an informative meeting on Reducing Australia's Emissions in Kew, Melbourne. It was good to meet face-to-face over drinks and nibbles and to be updated on the Dirty Dozen campaign and...
In discussion with IPCC authors: Two brilliant recordings
IPCC Webinars Lighter Footprints is pleased to share two recordings of recent webinars on the latest IPCC Synthesis Report and Summary for Policymakers released 20 March 2023. This is perhaps the most important synthesis report in the IPCC cycle because the next one...
Is Your Home Making You Sick?
Making our homes more comfortable and better for our health Replacing gas appliances with electric and making our homes more efficient and comfortable with improve our families health Too many of our homes are too cold in winter, too damp, too hot in summer and have...
New Safeguard Mechanism legislation – winds of change in a sunny country
Heavy emitters to be pulled into line: Back in January this year, with the Federal Coalition dealing themselves out of negotiations, with the fossil fuel industries ramping up pressure that 'we need to develop more gas', and with conservative media outlets criticizing...
Australia and Russia lag the developed world on vehicle fuel standards
Australia must bring in vehicle fuel efficiency standards to 'catch up' We are asking RACV members to pressure RACV and the peak body, AAA Read this blog for pointers on sending a short email or comment to the RACV and the AAA Lack of stringent Fuel Efficiency...
We need real emission reductions, not offsets
What's wrong with land-based offsets? The important Land Gap Report gives a definitive, quantitative ‘no’ to reliance on land-based offsets given that offsets: take up too much land - Cumulative land-based solutions would add up to 1,200 million hectares globally....
Innovate 2023 with Simon Holmes à Court
Annual Energy Update 2023 with Simon Holmes à Court It’s been a momentous year in 2022. In Australia, we are close to fossils/renewables crossover, Victoria’s electricity is now 40% clean, and in the US a Tesla Model 3 is now cheaper to drive away than the...
Can we rely on land-based solutions to offset burning fossil fuels?
Image source and acknowledgement: The Land Gap report The pressure on land in carbon dioxide removal In response to climate change, governments are increasingly relying on land for carbon dioxide removal. This is particularly true in Australia, notorious for its use...
Safeguard our climate – heavy emitters must pull their weight
The upcoming Safeguard Mechanism could drive real emissions reduction, but as it stands it risks letting Australia's biggest polluters off the hook through purchasing unlimited dodgy offsets. Image: Open cut coal mine - Hunter. Photo by Jeremy Buckingham/Flickr...
Report on the Hawthorn and Kew State Candidate Forums
Democracy in action The two recent candidate forums organised by Lighter Footprints in the Victorian electorates of Hawthorn and Kew were fine demonstrations of democracy in action. Voter appreciation was evident in the near-capacity attendance. Candidates had their...
Lily D’Ambrosio, Energy Minister (Vic) – massive commitment to climate and renewables if re-elected
Photo credit: Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, Lily D’Ambrosio speaks to media during an announcement at PowerPlus Energy, in Melbourne, Friday, October 21, 2022. (AAP Image/Diego Fedele) NO ARCHIVING Summary The Climate and Energy Minister,...
Saving forests, Ditching gas
Two major environmental concerns leading up to the November state election for friends and members of Lighter Footprints are stopping logging in Victoria's forests and getting off gas. On Wednesday 28 September, Lighter Footprints welcomed Chris Schuringa, the...
Urban Trees and Climate
Canopy tree and climate change in Boroondara. Why should we be concerned? Benefits of Canopy Trees Whether in public spaces or on private land, trees enhance our sense of well-being, help reduce the urban heat island effect and support biodiversity. Canopy trees cool...
Federal Climate Policy, reactions, some questions and responses
Overview Labor's climate bill passes the lower house Amended by Greens and independents to make 43% by 2030 a floor, not a ceiling, Labor's climate bill passes the lower house, and heads to a Senate inquiry which is due to report by the end of August. The Liberals...
CARBON CREDITS: Dodgy offsets or the real deal?
Photo credit: Jaccob McKay/Unsplash The following is a summary of the Lighter Footprints event "CARBON CREDITS: Dodgy offsets or the real deal?" held on Wednesday 27 July 2022. The recording is available here. Moderator Tim Baxter, Senior Researcher for Climate...
An unfolding situation with carbon markets
The situation with carbon markets is becoming more fluid by the day! Welcome to this diary style blog, with updates and links to useful papers, public discussion and media responses to issues recently raised about the integrity of our carbon markets. Lighter Footpints...
Responses to the Victorian Gas Substitution Roadmap
Summary Although the Victorian Gas Substitution Roadmap (VGSR) creates an expectation that Victoria will move away from fossil gas, the limited measures proposed fall short of what is needed to move Victoria, the heaviest gas-using state, away from gas at a speed that...
Star of the South – Offshore Wind in Victoria
Lighter Footprints: June 29th on Offshore Wind We were fortunate to have Naomi Campbell, the Development Director of Star of the South and Pat Simons, Yes2Renewables Coordinator speaking at our June 29th event on offshore wind. You can listen to our speakers again on...