Volume 3

Summer/Autumn 2008

Summer, brief though it was – it was just wonderful to have the rain and the dams in and around Sydney were reported to have filled somewhat which is great news.

Autumn brought heat again, the leaves are turning, there’s a slight feeling
of change in the air.

Despite the fact many of our thoughts turn to the joy of the summer and autumn
seasons and their associated pleasures, at ENERGY NOW we have been thinking
a lot about the environment.

What we are apprehensive about?

Every time another piece of packaging goes into the rubbish or recycling bins we feel concern about where it goes. To land fill?  Is that piece of plastic actually recycled?  Does that newspaper become pulp or breakdown under the earth… what about the bottle of old cooking oil, the wrappers, decaying food, tins, discarded electrical equipment and white-goods, sump oil, batteries, glass, light bulbs… the list is seemingly endless.

Why we are concerned?

How long can we go on filling the earth with our refuse?  While great advances have been made in waste management and industries have grown to cope with recycling used products and resources, it is still a mammoth task for councils to take away these items and dispose of them in an eco-friendly way (is there such a thing??).

What we can do as individuals

• Think before you buy – examine the item, are there other similar in quality, available with less packaging?
• Use council re-cycle bins for papers, plastics, etc.
• Contact your local council to see if they have an info pack on re-cycling – inform your children, parents, siblings, friends, neighbours, etc. of any re-cycling programs, info packs, special community projects
• Become active in the community – precinct groups to assist and promote waste management programs
• Recycle your “in good condition” clothing and household goods, toys, books and other worthwhile items to local charities.

And what about our personal environments?

• Cutting down on the purchase and use of electrical equipment – there seems to be a huge proliferation of games, players, recorders, phones, “gizmos and gadgets” can be a good way of reducing electricity usage and decreasing demand for various products (even in a small way this can be helpful).
• Use air-conditioning only when really necessary, not just as a habit.
• If practical, walking to the local shops instead of taking the car.
• Mindfully reducing noise pollution (e.g. tv and sound equipment, cars) inside and outside the home.
• Reducing the amount of chemicals used in the home (cosmetics, cleaning, plastics).
• Regular cleaning to reduce dust and mould in your household environment.
• Buying fresh foods in preference to convenience, prepared packaged foods.
• Reducing take-away meals, cooking simple wholesome meals at home.
• Enjoying simple pleasures (a picnic or Sunday stroll) rather than outings that cost “a fortune”.
• Reducing personal stress (meditation, reading, listening to relaxing music, yoga, massage, essential oil burner with lavender oil)
• Taking care of your inner health (healthy diet, 1-2 litres of pure water per day, consulting a naturopath about diet, supplements (vitamins, minerals, etc), exercise program with qualified instructor)

We hope you have enjoyed this newsletter

Disclaimer:
The information in this newsletter is of a general nature and not
intended to replace professional healthcare advice.