How individuals can take action
on climate change in WA
Climate change is threatening our environment, lifestyle, and overall wellbeing. We all have a crucial role to play in taking action and protecting our environment today for future generations.
There are lots of activities happening across WA to tackle climate change, so we can all do our bit by making small changes to our day-to-day behaviour and lifestyle.
8 ways you can contribute and take action right now
Take action with us and help tackle climate change.
1. Reduce your carbon footprint
You can decrease your carbon emissions and make a positive impact on the environment simply by:
Finding out which appliances and systems around the home are the most energy-hungry with this electricity bill calculator and optimise your electricity use to reduce bills.
Reducing energy use and be more sustainable by improving your home insulation and unplugging your devices and appliances when you’re not using them.
Wash your clothes in cold water and line dry your clothes when you can.
Mix up your travel and leave the car at home to take public transport using Transperth and Transwa. Walk or cycle to nearby places – and as a bonus it’s good for your health!
2. Use cleaner or renewable energy
There are several ways you can use greener, more sustainable energy to cut your emissions and energy costs.
Look for the energy rating labels when buying new appliances and use energy-efficient options, such as LED lights to reduce energy consumption.
Power your home with renewable energy by installing solar panels on your roof to make use of WA’s sunny weather.
Take advantage of household renewable energy incentives available to help you save money and energy.
Consider an electric vehicle for your next car purchase. You can charge the car at a charging station using Australia’s longest EV network!
3. Create less waste
Your landfill bin is the last place for your waste. With a bit of waste sorting at home, it could be almost empty each week!
There are GREAT Sorts out there who put 60% less into their landfill bin. Find out how to be a GREAT Sort and join the Western Australians making landfill the last resort by:
- Gifting items to charity, swap or sell.
- Recycling these five main items: paper, cardboard, cans, plastics, and glass.
- Earth-cycling food scraps and garden waste through composting at home, or use of the FOGO bin.
- Avoiding excess packaging, single use plastics and food waste.
- Taking waste to specialised drop off points.
Find out more on how to make landfill the last resort at WasteSorted.
Get ready and find your re-usable alternatives for single use plastics being banned across Western Australia, helping to reduce landfill and litter. Find out what’s next at WA’s Plan for Plastics.
Don’t let your 10 cent containers go to waste and return them to a Containers for Change collection point.
4. Be waterwise
Being responsible with how we use water is important to conserving water resources. Here are some tips on how you can be waterwise:
In Perth, 36% of drinking water is actually used outdoors in yards and gardens. If you have a garden bore, you could be using as much as 60% of your total household water use outdoors. So, remember to only water the garden when it matters – once before 9am on your rostered watering days.
Showers use the most water inside the home. Use your favourite 4 minute song to time your showers and save water.
Avoid brushing your teeth in the shower and always turn the tap off when brushing your teeth – this can save 10 litres per minute
Switch to a water-efficient showerhead and use appliances with a higher water efficiency rating.
Decorate your garden using waterwise plants that require less water and less maintenance.
Check your faucets, toilets and other fixtures regularly for leaks and fix them promptly.
5. Buy local and shop sustainably
By making conscious and thoughtful purchasing decisions, we can all help reduce the environmental impact of our consumption habits. Some simple ways to shop sustainably include:
Support local businesses and buy locally sourced goods to reduce transportation emissions while strengthening the local economy.
Extend the life of our possessions by repairing and maintaining them rather than throwing them away and buying new ones.
Dress sustainably by buying pre-loved items from op shops, renting special occasion outfits, and passing on clothes to friends and family.
Invest in high-quality, durable items that will last longer to reduce the amount of waste filling up landfills.
6. Make your plate greener
Making tweaks to our diet can benefit the environment and contribute to climate action.
Try adjusting your eating habits to minimise food waste to be more sustainable and healthier!
Growing your own food is a great way to reduce packaging, and transportation emissions. You will also be supporting your friendly pollinator bees and saving money on groceries.
7. Get gardening and plant trees
Planting local native and waterwise trees and protecting nature areas and green spaces are powerful ways to take climate action and create a greener planet.
Choose the right type of tree for the right place in your garden to avoid future damage to powerlines, buildings or underground pipes.
Trees provide important habitats for our unique wildlife and planting trees can improve biodiversity and promote healthy ecosystems. They also help improve air quality as they absorb air pollutants like carbon dioxide, creating healthier communities.
Urban areas can be up to 7 degrees hotter than the surrounding landscape due to vegetation loss and materials such as concrete, bitumen and bricks retaining heat. This is known as the ‘urban heat island effect’. Retaining vegetation and water in the landscape provides a cooling benefit. Trees are nature’s air conditioners, cooling the landscape through evapotranspiration and providing shade.
You can get involved with organisations like Trillion Trees Australia to support important conservation missions and make a positive impact on the environment.
Whether you're gardening in your backyard or volunteering with a local conservation organisation, you can make a meaningful contribution to climate action and create a more sustainable future.
8. Spread the word on climate action
We need urgent action to address climate change to protect our future, and every action from every single person counts.
Together, we can make a real impact in the fight against climate change and build a more sustainable, stronger WA. What actions will you take today?
Our Projects
Find out what projects are in place in WA to take action against climate change.
What projects are happening in WA