Trust starts energy initiative

The Killcare Wagstaffe Trust has set a goal to increase both its members' energy efficiency and the energy consumed from renewable resources by 50 per cent before the year 2020.

The "50:50 by 2020" is an environmental initiative first adopted by Bega Shire Council to combat the effects of climate change.

Trust president Mr David Legge said the community members of the trust agreed that the 50:50 by 2020 project would be a very worthwhile cause to get involved in.

He said the program aimed to help and encourage trust members to change their energy use and work as a group with other community and government bodies to support larger environmental projects.

"To measure an improvement in efficiency we must have an idea of our starting point," Mr Legge said.

"All members are encouraged to participate by doing a basic audit of their household energy use.

"This simply involves recording basic information from your electricity and gas bills on the form enclosed our newsletter."

Mr Legge said members were also given suggestions of ways to reduce energy in their homes including switching off unnecessary lights, taking shorter showers, insulating homes, buying energy efficient appliances, walking and cycling instead of driving and installing a solar hot water system.

Mr Legge said members were encouraged to vote for politicians who are willing to tackle "the most serious issue of our time" and who demonstrate their commitment to acting on climate change.

Newsletter, 6 Aug 2009 David Legge, Killcare Wagstaffe Trust