OVERVIEW


QUEENSLAND
COOL
COMMUNITIES


LAUNCH


ACTION PLAN


TIMELINE


GOLD COAST
FOCUS GROUP

COOL
SOLUTIONS



LINKS


 Cool Communities is an exciting new project designed to reduce the creation of greenhouse pollution by the community. By working with communities, industry and government, the Cool Communities Project is finding effective ways to cut greenhouse gases and save money for householders.

There are 7 million households in Australia, and each produces on average 15 tonnes of greenhouse gases every year. Most is produced by energy used for water heating, private transport, home heating and cooling and decay of household waste in landfill.

Greenhouse gases contribute to climate change, which potentially threatens every Australian's way of life. While government and business have their role to play to reduce greenhouse gases, ordinary Australians can make a big difference too. Simple changes to our everyday activities can save 3 or more tonnes of greenhouse gases each year - and save ordinary families hundreds of dollars.

Household greenhouse gases mainly come from:

  • Energy use: electricity consumption and the burning of fossil fuels for heating and cooking purposes;
  • Transport use: cars and private transport that use petrol, LPG or diesel; and
  • Consumption and waste: energy is used and greenhouse gases are created in producing the food and products consumed by households. Disposing of these products and garden wastes can also create greenhouse gases.

The Cool Communities project will provide information, support and financial assistance to help communities undertake easy practical actions to achieve a reduction of household greenhouse pollution. Cool Communities is a joint initiative between the Queensland Conservation Council and the Australian Greenhouse Office.

Catholic Justice & Peace Commission Creates Cool Communities

The Catholic Justice and Peace Commission on behalf of all the Catholic community submitted an application for a wide range of activities to reduce greenhouse gases in the local area. By focusing on the Gold Coast as a subset of the community, the Catholic Justice and Peace Commission hope to broaden the lessons learnt through its community. Two communities in Queensland were selected to participate in the program, the other community being the Maleny Credit Union on the Sunshine Coast.

Cool Communities activities on the Gold Coast are:

  • Home Energy Program for householders to learn more about energy efficiency in the home;
  • Energy Retrofit Packs for simple easy ways householders can make a difference; and
  • Parish Car Pooling Campaign, to promote sustainable transport options.

For more information

To find out more information about the Cool Communities project please contact Peter Arndt on 3891 5911 or Kirsten Macey on 3221 0188 or email greenhouse@qccqld.org.au