4 ways you can commit to a net zero future this Earth Hour
Millions of participants around the world will switch off their lights at 8:30 pm local time on Saturday 23 March to observe Earth Hour.
Originating in Sydney in 2007, Earth Hour has now grown to become the world's biggest movement to protect our planet. More than 190 countries and territories participate in Earth Hour each year, raising awareness for biodiversity in the fight against climate change.
Yet Earth Hour has grown to become something greater than switching our lights off – it takes so much more than one hour of action to have a measurable impact on climate change. Earth Hour is not an act to save power; it's a symbolic demonstration of support for the environment and commitment to making everyday choices that consider and care for our planet.
15 buildings across our Camperdown/Darlington Campus this year will be going dark from 8:30 pm on Saturday 23 March. But we're doing more to address climate change and reduce our emissions, through research, education, and action.
Gelion solar-powered benches at Cadigal Green. Image credit: Louise Cooper.
Integrating sustainability into campus life and beyond
The University's Sustainability Strategy 2020 (pdf, 4MB) outlines our commitment to reducing our energy emissions, with ambitious targets set for the coming years. Here are some highlights of our progress so far:
2023 marked the commencement of the University's 100 percent renewable energy Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), covering all campuses. 100 percent of our electricity now comes from renewable sources.
With a total rooftop solar capacity of 1.2 megawatts across our campuses and student accommodation buildings, representing over a third of our target, we're making strides towards increasing our renewable electricity generation on campus. Plans are underway to install an additional 1 megawatt of solar generation capacity across key campuses, further bolstering our renewable energy portfolio.
The University is prioritising energy-efficient infrastructure, including a comprehensive lighting efficiency and LED upgrade project. By auditing buildings for capacity to upgrade to LED fittings and implementing phased installations, we aim to significantly reduce energy intensity per usable floor area by 2025.
We're also enhancing our utilities data monitoring capabilities to better track and manage energy consumption. Through the installation of new building-level metering for electricity, gas, and water usage, we’re poised to identify and implement efficiency initiatives more effectively.
How you can get involved
We recognise that effective and measurable change requires all institutions, including governments, corporations, and universities, to review and enhance their actions on climate change on a regular basis. But there are ways we can all individually contribute to a net zero future, both on campus and at home.
1. Save energy
Energy efficiency might look a little different on campus or at home, depending on the building or space you are in. Some easy measures to consider and implement to reduce your energy consumption include:
- using less energy by reducing your heating, cooling and use of electric appliances like a clothes dryer
- increasing energy efficiency with LED light bulbs and energy-efficient electric appliances
- switching off power at the end of the day (lights, photocopiers, computers, printers and other equipment).
2. Commute cleanly
Living car-free and choosing to walk, cycle or take public transport can reduce your carbon footprint by up to 2 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per year, while helping you stay fit and healthy at the same time.
With over 27 end-of-trip facilities across our Camperdown/Darlington Campus, you can place your gear in a locker, freshen up in the shower and feel good about taking a more sustainable route to campus. Search for end-of-trip facilities on Campus Maps.
3. Consume considerately
Every year, people throw out 2 billion tonnes of trash, about a third of which causes significant harm to the environment, from choking water supplies to poisoning soil. Food rotting in landfill also produces methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. Additionally, when you throw away food not only are you wasting the food itself but you're also wasting the resources and energy that were used to grow, produce, package and transport it.
Plan ahead for your weekly grocery shop and only purchase what you really need so you can minimise your food wastage. Before you throw any food away, consider composting leftovers. Cutting your food waste can reduce your carbon footprint by up to 300 kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent per year.
Check out the Enabler Recycling Wall just opposite the food court in the Wentworth Building to recycle tricky items like pens, beauty products, batteries and e-waste.
Another easy way to reduce waste is to ditch your disposable coffee cups and be part of the Green Caffeen Cup movement, available at our Camperdown/Darlington, Camden, Sydney Conservatorium of Music, and Northern Clinical School Campus, and nation-wide.
Members of the Fashion Revolution Society at a sewing event.
4. Reduce, reuse, repair and recycle
Items we purchase cause carbon emissions at each point in production, from extraction, to manufacturing and transporting.
You can play your part to protect the climate by buying fewer things, shopping second-hand, and repairing what you can where possible. You can also make an impact and influence others to live a greener lifestyle by joining a sustainability-driven club or society at the University, like the Fashion Revolution and Waste Fighters.
Explore more of the sustainability actions and initiatives on campus and how you can get involved, and head to the United Nations website to discover actions you can take to support a healthier planet in your community and at home.