How to reduce emissions

Actions and Programs by Sector

Energy

Solar	Subsidise solar panels All government buildings and schools should have solar or other renewable energy source Solar and wind farms
Technology/Innovation	Explore hydrogen, nuclear, geothermal, gas and biomass
Efficiency	Be more careful of water consumption (put timers on taps) Store excess renewable energy
Behaviour change	Use Rubik’s cubes instead of iPads or other technology Lobby other Australian states and territories to stop using coal power

Transport

Public Transport	More frequent and reliable buses that are electric More affordable (free) public transport Better (accessible) bus routes Bigger buses so more people can fit on them Invest in boats and ferries
Active Transport	More and safer bike paths and lanes Subsidise e-bikes and other e-transport, or provide salary sacrificing arrangements More bike hire facilities Education on safe bike use
Electric Vehicles	Make electric cars cheaper Provide more charging ports (every petrol station) Electric trucks and rail
Rail	Passenger train across Tasmania Electric light rail or trams in cities
Behaviour Change	Carpooling Don’t use cars for short distances (we need more facilities closer to home) Reward people for using public/active transport (like school points)

Agriculture

Technology/ Innovation	Use seaweed, vaccines, or other biological interventions to reduce cow methane production Reduce pesticide and synthetic fertiliser use More efficient farming practices
Land use change	Prevent agricultural expansion from cutting down trees, leading to soil erosion
Behaviour Change	Encourage less meat consumption, or increase alternatives such as plant-based meat and algae

Industrial Processes and Product Use

Regulation	Strict laws for big companies on emissions production Regulations for unsustainable and unethical clothing producers
Behaviour change	Require big organisations to address emissions reduction Manufacture less unnecessary items Reduce import and export from/to other countries

Waste

Single-Use Plastic	Legislate statewide ban on single-use plastic (straws, plastic cup lids) Phase out soft plastics (packaging, bags) Encourage reusable container use in supermarkets, fast-food, schools and businesses Reward and encourage businesses that use sustainable practices, resource reduction and alternative materials Promote alternative technologies, such as sugar cane straws, seaweed packaging, compostable baking paper etc
Recycling	Compulsory recycling in schools (financial help for small schools to get recycling collected) Introduce REDcycle kerbside collection and in public places Greater public awareness and accessibility Separate bins for glass, paper and plastic
Composting	FOGO collection in all Tasmanian council areas Encourage people to do their own composting
Behaviour Change	Grow food at home to reduce packaging from shops Stop people from littering (in schools) More water fountains in public spaces so people stop buying bottled water

Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry

Logging	No old growth logging Don’t stop logging completely, but only log plantation timber
Reforestation	Every time you log a tree, plant two in its place More forest industries based on planting trees
Forest Management	Protect our forests, especially sacred spaces Better prevention of bushfires, adopt Aboriginal burning practices

Comments

In the North-West, students from lots of different schools catch the bus together. “It’s a great way to catch up with friends. Adults could do the same, except the buses aren’t cheap and don’t always go near their work.”

Cow farts and burps send methane into the air, but when cows eat seaweed, the methane is reduced by 99%!

Fiona* from Launceston says: “Teenagers love bubble tea, but all bubble tea comes in plastic cups with plastic straws. If there was another option, we would feel better about getting bubble tea!’

* All names have been changed to protect identities.

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