From Matt Andrews, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory
It is unfortunate that the article describing “ten steps to saving a planet” (10 September, p 36) missed the single most effective change a typical household can make: switching the mains electricity supply to “green power”. At a modest extra cost, electricity is supplied by a provider that guarantees it buys at least enough renewable energy to cover all the green power it sells.
It’s a quick, easy and spectacularly effective way to reduce your greenhouse gas emissions. I calculate that by switching to green power my household saves around 12 tonnes of CO2-equivalent emissions each year.
Here in Australia, I believe most electricity companies offer it; certainly the three providers I have dealt with in recent times have a green power option. Perhaps one of the most effective steps would be to demand your electricity provider does so, too.
