Get involved – Environment
There are many ways you can help achieve our vision for Environment. Here are just a few suggestions to get you started.
Individuals and families
- Consider using other sources of energy, such as solar, to reduce emissions and power consumption and potentially lower your electricity bill.
- Install water and energy saving appliances.
- Volunteer for the Clean Up Australia campaign and help remove rubbish from our parks, streets, streams and beaches.
- Remember to recycle. Check with your local council about how to recycle items that can’t be disposed of in your household wheelie bins.
- Consider using plants that require minimal watering and reuse household water in your gardens.
- Buy local and in season produce where you can to reduce the carbon footprint of your food.
- Subscribe to environment information sources to learn about the latest clean energy solutions, recycling methods, and conservation efforts.
- Keep pets inside at night to protect our wildlife.
Community
- Partner with government, business and not-for-profit organisations to protect and maintain our land, ecosystems and wildlife.
- Sponsor a creek-bed or other site in your community and work with neighbours to keep it clean and healthy.
- Promote and celebrate natural and cultural heritage sites in your region.
- Organise a swap-meet in your neighbourhood to exchange unwanted or unused things or consider donating unwanted items to charity.
- Start a conservation group in your community to protect natural assets for future generations to enjoy.
- Host local gatherings to learn about how to care for the local environment and heritage places.
- Contribute to government consultation processes on long-term planning in your community.
- Organise group outings to national parks.
Business and industry
- Consider moving towards a paperless office to reduce waste.
- Use recycled and carbon neutral office supplies and equipment.
- Find better ways to reduce waste and improve recycling.
- Reduce your business’s impact on the natural environment by using alternative energy sources.
- Use sustainable practices at worksites were relevant e.g. to manage erosion, remove waste and recycle packaging and construction materials.
- Include environmental awareness and sustainable practises in training programs.
- Develop a Sustainability Framework for your business.
- Participate in Green Cross Australia’s Business Adaptation Network to build business and industry resilience to climate impacts.
- Encourage the use of public transport and provide changing facilities for employees that walk, run or cycle to work.
- Consider supporting a local environmental group or philanthropic partnerships to protect, enhance and restore the environment.
Government
- Ensure planning and future development protects and preserves areas of environmental significance.
- Provide communities with dedicated and accessible green spaces.
- Reduce red tape and work collaboratively with industry to balance economic activity with environmental protection.
- Encourage locals and tourists to get outdoors and enjoy Queensland’s green spaces.
- Support research in alternative energy solutions.
- Ensure access to general rubbish and recycling bins in communities.
- Encourage sustainable building practices and take steps to make infrastructure energy and water efficient.
- Provide clear guidance, information and support to individuals, families, business, industry and community groups to improve environmental outcomes.