Small steps to a smaller ecological footprint. (by James Woodford)

Grow some vegies.  Even in a flat you can grow some of your own food.  This reduces the energy needed to move produce around the nation.

Install a rainwater tank.  Many people who drink tank water refuse to drink anything else.

Go solar.  After the establishment costs there are no power bills and there is a reduction in the amount of carbon emissions.  However, stand-alone solar is expensive to install, which can make the cost prohibitive for many people.

Walk. Everytime you start a motor vehicle, ask yourself: "Can I walk instead?".

Car pool.  Find out if colleagues, friends and neighbours drive to and from the same destinations.

Compost. Instead of sending food scraps to landfill, throw them into a compost bin or a worm farm and turn them into food for the garden.

Grow don't mow. Tear up as much of your lawn as possible and plant some natives.  Even a quarter-acre block, your backyard will become a mini national park and carbon store.

Build smart.  When building a new house, keep passive solar principles in mind so you will be warm in winter and cool in summer without having to resort to air-conditioning.  Examine the materials your builder wants to use.  Ask questions such as: where is the timber from? Where will my rainwater tank go?

Recycle: Ask your council about its recycling programs.  Challenge your boss to recycle fully.

Plant a tree.  Find a local Landcare or bush generation project and plant trees. While there are plenty of groups that will off set your carbon emissions, its better to plant trees yourself.

Look for products that last.  If a quality product will give years of service then maybe its better value - economically and environmentally.

Avoid excessive packaging.  Don't buy products buried in layers of cardboard or plastic.

Repair.  When something breaks, fix it rather than throw it away.

Consume less. Ask yourself if everything you bought last week was really necessary.

Drive clever.  Buy an energy-efficient car - preferably a hybrid electric vehicle.  Unless you're going to Iraq you don't need a Humvee!

Don't outsource responsibilities. Do the people working for you follow your principles?

Invest wisely. If you have just bought shares in the Acme coal-fired power station, growing a few tomatoes and turning off your lights is meaningless.

Moderate meat intake.  Eating one 150-gram serve fewer each week will save 10,000 litres of water and 300 kilograms of greenhouse emissions a year.

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