About Ecological Footprint

What does it really mean to be sustainable? Firstly, we need to measure accurately whether or not we live in a way that conserves the planet’s ecological balance. Out of this need, The Global Footprint Network (Wackernagel et al) developed the Ecological Footprint as a measure of human demand on the Earth's ecosystems and natural resources.

In the late 1990’s it was found that our demands were overshooting the earth’s supply by 20%, more recently some researchers estimate the overshoot is more like 39%. Whatever the figure, our ecological bank statement is seriously in the red and wealthy countries, like us, that depend on fossil fuels are contributing most to this deficit.

Over 3000 data points consisting of inputs, outputs, waste, measured biologically productive space and population for each country are used in order to make a single quantitative measure in terms of land per person. Each person’s fair share is about 2 hectares, which is about the size of 2 soccer fields.
Globally we are using way over our fair share. Each Australian’s eco-footprint averages to about 7.8 hectares, which puts us in the top 5 of resource hungry and polluting countries in the world.

Understanding the size and shape of your Ecological Footprint is a worthwhile exercise enabling you to understand sustainability by linking one’s personal impact with global ecological capacity.

Local business Coolplanet can calculate the carbon footprint of your business or home using internationally recognised standards. www.coolplanet.com.au

VISION
 
We hope that this project will be a catalyst for the street and neighbourhood surrounding the chosen household to become more sustainable. Visitors to your house will learn from seeing the eco-features first-hand, and be inspired by your enthusiasm for how it all works.
 
Living sustainably can involve much more than just thinking about your own home, for example, in this project we may be able to bring the winning household and some neighbours who are also interested in sustainability together, and you may be able to start thinking about how to live more sustainably together in your street.
 
For example, your neighbours might like to follow your lead and install a water tank, composting, and organic veggie garden too, and straight away there's an opportunity for swapping veggies, sharing garden tools, getting to know each other better – which may open up opportunities for car-pooling, child-minding, common meals together, removing a fence here or there and sharing your common backyard space for a larger veggie garden, fruit trees, with common water pond, play area for the kids etc.
 
The possibilities for living more sustainably as a community are huge…

 

The NCCAG ACTION GROUP committee meet every
3rd Wednesday each Month at 6.30pm

Contact the office on (02) 6684 2272 on Wednesdays or email us.
[more info]

Latest News and Events

 ACTION An Update on NCCAG Projects for 2008 [more info]

Read all the details on various projects and programs NCCAG have initated for 2008. Get involved, become a volunteer. Information includes:

• NCCAG Training

• Festivals & Conferences

• Develop Information Packages for use in presentations for residents, schools, businesses and other organisations.

• Raising Public Awareness

• Making Organisational Change in Schools

---

Energy audits - homes and business

Nina Bishop runs an eco-business called LightFeat from her home in Mullumbimby. She can provide information on a wide range of options: energy reduction measures, improving a building's efficiency. Nina is also able to offer some energy audits at a subsidised rate. Contact Nina Bishop on (02) 6684 1263 or email: lighfeat( at )gotalk.net.au.

The Enviro Saver Program offers FREE BASIC home energy audits to households in Byron Shire. Call 1300 780 858  to  be put on  a list to have your incandescent globes in your home changed to Compact fluoros at no charge.
[Download PDF: Cool Business Program Press Release]

---

Did you know that electricity supply has been deregulated?

You don't have to buy from Country Energy.

You can now buy your electricity from a number of suppliers who offer eco-friendly GreenPower deals. Find our more here!

---

We need to recognise that the solutions are in our hands! Did you know that THE MORE we consumers sign up for green power and particularly accredited GreenPower the more WE HELP expand the clean, renewable non-carbon sector. That's good news!

STEP 1 sign up for...

For the cost of one phone call to an energy supplier (Origin Energy has the highest rating with environmental groups) you can buy GreenPower for your home for the cost of 1-2 cappuccinos per week. When you reduce your consumption through smart use of power your bill may even reduce as your power usage comes down. We need to do both, sign up for GreenPower and reduce our electricity consumption.

Transport Awareness

Transport accounts for around one-third of global CO2 emissions. We need to raise awareness and encourage commuters to adopt new practises in transport. Learn about Hybrid-cars and fuel alternatives.

 

Get Active about reducing your emissions now

• Going solar? Check out our list of local eco-suppliers, and download PDF: buyer's guide - solar hotwater systems

• Learn what your business can do to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

• Make a difference at home - take the first steps now!

• Compare Green Power supplier packages and how they rate.

• Learn how to read and compare your current electricity bill.

NCCAG thrives on membership and donations

---