Our Greenprints blog collects ideas on how to reduce our ecological footprint. Do you want to share your tips? Simply click on the category you want to post (Energy, Food, Garden, Home, Office or Transport) and post your tip.

In Sydney, 70% of transport occurs in private vehicles. This transport also accounts for one third of household energy emissions.

Posted By: oaatf
Posted On: November 13, 2008

This November 23rd – 29th is Zero Footprint Week. An initiative of the One at a Time Foundation, Zero Footprint Week is an umbrella awareness week that invites individuals, families and businesses to take simple steps to reduce their ecological footprint, save money, and help to halt climate change.

Here are three progressive tips from Zero Footprint Week and the World Wildlife Fund Australia (www.wwf.org.au) to help reduce your ecological footprint from energy use.

1. The First Step: Walk, Cycle or Use Public Transport
A trip to the shop or the beach can be much more enjoyable if you leave the car at home and walk or cycle.  Not only do you save money on petrol, but you can also save time spent waiting in traffic and looking for a car park.

Benefit: Choosing to walk or cycle instead of driving even a few times a week can save you hundreds of dollars on petrol each year, not to mention the health benefits you receive.

2. The Next Step: Drive Smart
Making sure your car is healthy and planning trips ahead of time for maximum efficiency can save on time, money and carbon.  Choosing your next car on the basis of fuel efficiency also helps. Visit www.greenvehicleguide.gov.au to find out more about choosing a more eco-friendly car.

Benefit: Keeping your tyre pressure at the optimum level alone can save you 10% on petrol.  Likewise, a healthy engine can both lower your impact and save you even more money.

3. The Big Step: Try Car Pooling
Sometimes you need to drive to work, but why not have some company while you do so?  Driving to work with your fellow employees saves money, fuel and stress on your car.  For more information visit http://www.travelsmart.gov.au/links/.

Benefit: Car pooling can reduce the cost and impact of driving to work by 75%.  You will also get a longer life out of your car.

To find your environmental footprint and more tips on how you can best improve it, visit the EPA Victoria’s footprint calculator at http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/ecologicalfootprint/calculators/default.asp.