One Small Step Can Make a World of Difference

Want to know what you can do to combat climate change? Some of the world’s biggest stars unite for our Cool It! Campaign and show how just one tiny change can have a huge impact on our environment. By Lucie Morris and Anna Saunders

As Cate Blanchett walks into the photo studio in Sydney to pose for our Cool It! campaign, looking chic in a pair of skinny black jeans and a fitted jacket, it is immediately obvious just how much she cares about the issue of global warming. "Don't even get me started on it," she says, waving her arms for emphasis. "I'm extremely concerned." A point made clear three days later, when she was pictured with her husband and two young sons among a crowd of 20,000 who marched through the streets of Sydney to demand more government action to combat global warming. Similar events took place in 48 countries and more than 20 other locations across Australia as part of an international day of action on climate change. That afternoon, Gate was just one of thousands of mothers, who care about the future for their children, determined to make their voices heard.

In fact, it's the impact our actions will have on the world we leave to future generations that has become the impetus for change not only for Gate, but for the host of public figures who signed up for our Cool It! campaign.

From switching to green power to offsetting air travel with carbon credits, our celebrity supporters Gate, Heath Ledger, Susan Sarandon, Rose Byrne, Dr David Suzuki and Selma Blair, have joined with marie claire to show just how easy it is to reduce carbon emissions. "I want the planet to outlive me and my children," explains Susan, a sentiment echoed by everyone who took part.

But there's no time to lose. According to a recent report by British economist Sir Nicholas Stern, we have just 10 years to prevent the earth's temperature rising by 5°C. If we don't, this rise will effectively cause devastating economic collapse, widespread death and disease worldwide, and literally change the face of our planet forever.

From droughts afflicting farmlands across Australia to the bleaching of the Great Barrier Reef, the effects of global warming are already visible, but we are making things worse every minute, explains scientist Tim Flannery, author of The Weather Makers. "Particularly shameful is the fact that Australia is one of the worst emitters of harmful greenhouse gases," he adds. "We all need to make changes in our lives and get the government to stop burning brown coal to generate our electricity, and cre¬ate a cleaner, better future with green power."

But the first hurdle to overcome is individual apathy, claims the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF), which supports our Cool It! campaign. "Looking after the environment is the biggest challenge of this generation and we need more Australians committed to action for the environment," says ACF executive director Don Henry. "Together, we have a much bigger impact than working alone."

"There are things we can do," urges Cate Blanchett. And she's right. From our carbon emission tick list to our renewable energy petition, or the great "Earth Hour" light-saving event, all you have to do is keep reading to find out how to take your first step towards making a world of difference...

“I’VE INSTALLED A RAINWATER TANK”
CATE BLANCHETT
ACTRESS "It is very difficult to grasp the magnitude of the challenge facing us. However, there are things we can do, including making changes to our everyday lives and putting pressure on political leaders and leaders of industry. These changes are not just for us but for our children. We acted to combat the hole in the ozone layer and we can do the same now."

“I’M CHANGING MY WAYS. HOW ABOUT YOU?”
HEATH LEDGER
ACTOR The Australian star of Brokeback Mountain, and father of one-year-old Matilda, leapt at the chance to join mane c/a/re's Cool It! campaign and draw attention to the issue of climate change. He is passionate about the environment and is adjusting his lifestyle to reduce carbon emissions - even driving a hybrid car. "I have a Toyota Prius," he explains. "I care about our children's future."

“I DRIVE A HYBRID CAR”
SUSAN SARANDON, ACTRESS AND ACTIVIST
“I want the planet to outlive me and my children. To reduce carbon emissions, I walk whenever possible am putting solar panels on my house. I also bought a Toyota Prius - I love that it stops burning fuel when you are in the city. We have to end our dependency on fossil fuel and demand that the government supports the development of alternative energy.”

“I OFFSET MY AIR TRAVEL”
DR DAVID SUZUKI, ENVIRONMENTALIST
"Over-consumption In our society is the greatest cause of our destruction of the life support systems of the earth. I try to buy less 'stuff' and make sure I offset carbon emissions from my frequent flights by buying carbon credits."

“I DON’T LEAVE APPLIANCES ON STANDBY “
ROSE BYRNE, ACTRESS
"I believe climate change is the biggest threat to our civilisation. Turning off electronic items is a very simple step in terms of taking care of the planet. I also take canvas bags everywhere to avoid plastic bags, recycle and take a mug with me on set to avoid using polystyrene cups."

“I USE ENERGY EFFICIENT LIGHT BULBS”
SELMA BLAIR, ACTRESS
“I am learning that there is so much more we can do every day to save the world we live in – for our children, as well as for our own health and longevity. If we pressure our governments and corporate leaders to change the energy we use into renewable energy, as well as encourage our neighbours to invest in solar panels, we can halt the damage we are doing to this planet. If we educate ourselves on what is already available to us, we can all do our part in a great way to preserve the earth’s vitality. Learn and do.”

YOUR CARBON TICK LIST

Pick just three of these energy-saving actions and start significantly reducing your greenhouse gas emissions now!

The average Australian generates 27 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions each year – that’s the equivalent of 62,000 wheelie bins full of polluint gas. Joel Fleming from www.climatefriendly.com calculates how much you can cut your emissions in just 12 months.

TAKE FEWER OVERSEAS FLIGHTS	A return flight from Sydney to London creates about 10 tonnes of greenhouse gas per passenger. If you must fly, buy "carbon credits", which inject investment into renewable energy and environmental projects, to offset your emissions.*
SWITCH TO GREEN ENERGY	Changing to green electricity will reduce your home's emissions by an average of 7.6 tonnes, equivalent to taking two cars off the road. Go to www.greenelectricitywatch.org.au to find the top-rating green energy providers in your state.
DON'T DRIVE YOUR CAR TO WORK	Walk, cycle or use public transport, and you will save 3.5 tonnes of emissions. Find out about Walk To Work Day at www.walk.com.au, To offset your car use with tree plantings, visit www.greenfleet.com.au.
TURN OFF APPLIANCES AT THE POWER POINT	Ten per cent of the household electricity we use goes on stand-by power through appliances like mobile phone chargers, televisions and microwaves. For a guide to choosing energy-efficient home electronics, visit www.energystar.gov.au.
INSTALL EFFICIENT LIGHT BULBS	Swap five light bulbs in your home for energy-efficient alternatives. An efficient light bulb uses about 80 per cent less power than a conventional one. Buy them at www.neco.com.au.

“HOW I BECAME AN AL GORE CLIMATE MESSENGER”

LARISSA BEHRENDT, 38, PROFESSOR OF LAW:

"Like many people, I was shocked )y Al Gore's climate-change film, An Inconvenient Truth. It was part of my Aboriginal family’s cultural teachings that we must care for the environment, so I applied to become one of Gore’s ‘climate messengers’.

“The training started with a meet and greet in Sydney. The other 75 participants were a mix of people from all over Australia. First of all, we watched the movie again and, just as it finished, Gore himself strolled into the room. He spent the rest of the morning teaching us how to present his 330 slides about global warming – which follow a similar format to his film – so we can go out to teach others. We learnt how to explain to people in a clear way how our everyday emissions of harmful greenhouse gases are heating up the earth.

“He also led us on a short walk to Sydney’s Botanic Gardens where he told us how the horrible experience of almost losing his son in an accident made the issue of the environment more important to him. On the last evening, I was picked to present him with a didgeridoo and a boomerang to remind him of his time with us.

“I have to do 10 presentations of the slide show over the next year, but I will do more if I can. I feel so inspired that, in a small way, I can now do my bit to help.”
For more details visit www.acfonline.org.au

SAY NO TO NUCLEAR POWER

We believe John Howard should drop his plans for nuclear power stations. Read below and, if you agree, sign our petition at www.marieclaire.com.au

Nuclear Power Vs Green Power

THE PLAN

Prime Minister John Howard backs nuclear energy as one of the options to slow climate change. A recent prime-ministerial task force suggested building 25 nuclear power stations around the country by 2050.
 
These stations work by concentrating radioactive material, such as uranium, until a process called "nuclear fission" takes place. This generates heat, which drives a steam turbine to create electricity.

IS IT SAFE?

HOWARD GOVERNMENT: Nuclear is the "cleanest and greenest" of energy sources, according to the government. "We would be foolish not to consider nuclear power," the Prime Minister maintains. "People who are reacting negatively should just calm down."

GREENPEACE: "Nuclear power produces toxic waste that remains dangerous for thousands of years, and there is no safe method of disposal. Who wants Australia to be turned into a nuclear dump and be put at risk of nuclear accidents?"

WILL IT CUT EMISSIONS?

HOWARD GOVERNMENT: Nuclear power stations could supply 30 per cent of our electricity by 2050, cutting emissions by up to 18 per cent. "You simply won't be able to generate enough power from something like wind," argues Mr Howard.

AUSTRALIAN CONSERVATION FOUNDATION: "Solar and wind power could generate 25 per cent of our electricity within just 15 years. Also, building a nuclear power station in itself creates large amounts of greenhouse gas emissions."

WHAT WILL IT COST?

HOWARD GOVERNMENT: The government admits electricity from nuclear power would be more costly to produce than coal- or gas-fired power. But Mr Howard promises Australia's economy will be boosted by exporting more mined uranium.

THE WILDERNESS SOCIETY: "The high cost of nuclear power means that people will have to pay for it, either through their electricity bills or taxes, or both. Currently, wind power is less costly than nuclear power, and will become even cheaper as the industry grows."

WHEN WOULD IT BE READY?

HOWARD GOVERNMENT: It will take 10-15 years to build the first nuclear power stations. "We're not talking about the next two or three years, we're talking about a longer time frame," admits Mr Howard.

CLIMATE ACTION NETWORK AUSTRALIA: "Having to wait 10-15 years is too long. In that time, Australia will continue to emit millions of tonnes of greenhouse pollution by burning coal. Green energy is ready now."

Published in Marie Claire Febrary 2007.