How you can help
Reducing emissions
The resources and links below will help identify where greenhouse gas emissions are occurring and options to reduce emissions. Choose what works for you.
Energy efficiency
Use of electricity generated from coal and gas is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Lismore . Being energy efficient means using less energy to get the same daily results around your home or work. You can start by:
Switching to solar
Over half of Lismore’s residents already have solar on their homes, resulting in an estimated savings of 55,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions each year! If you are interested in getting solar on your home or business, try the SunSPOT solar and battery calculator to discover how much solar might cost you, how much you could be saving and how it would look and fit on your roof.
Check if you’re eligible for any NSW rebates, grants or schemes, which includes opportunities such as household energy savings and installing free solar panels.
Transport
On-road transport is the second largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Lismore, and includes vehicles and road-freight.
Reducing car use can also provide health benefits. Lismore City Council has drafted a Walking, Cycling and Micromobility Strategy to support alternatives to driving cars. There are also public transport options available in and around Lismore.
Public transport options available in our area include:
Waste
Waste produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas, when the organic material decomposes in the absence of oxygen in land-fill sites.
Wasting food wastes the energy, water and natural resources used to grow, package and transport that food, and contributes to methane production if it is sent to land-fill. Reducing food waste in your home will save money and reduce waste and greenhouse gas emissions. To find out more, and look at ideas to reduce your food waste, visit North East Waste.
Composting food and green waste (at home or through the green waste bin) reduces methane production due to having oxygen available. Lismore green bins are collected each week. To find out when yours is collected, click here.
Reducing the waste we produce is one of the most effective ways we can lessen our impact on the environment. There are tips for reducing single use plastic on our Community waste webpage. Buying second-hand and thinking about longevity and what happens to products we buy after we have finished using them can minimise what goes to waste. Lismore City Council runs Revolve shops that sell quality items that have been salvaged before going to landfill and have been assessed for their suitability for sale. There are Revolve shops at Lismore and Nimbin.
Vegetation
Growing plants absorb carbon dioxide and convert it into plant material (as carbon), reducing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. When plants die or are removed, the carbon is released as the plant decomposes. Ideas to contribute to improved vegetation in the Lismore area are available in the Environmental Strategies pages, including the Urban Green Corridors Plan and the Rural Landholder Initiative.
Local connection
Lismore is a strong, creative and connected community which in itself is a great asset to our ability to prepare for and reduce the risks and impacts of climate change.
If you’re interested in taking collaborative action, you may wish to join forces with some of the community groups that are already active in driving positive climate actions:
- Resilient Lismore run a community hub and collaborates with volunteers and other groups to ensure resources make it those who need them.
- Northern Rivers Community Gateway run a Tomorrow Ready program to grow volunteer skills, knowledge and confidence to build disaster resilience in local communities.
- Plan C is a not-for-profit registered charity, that works with communities to help them build their connections, plans, and systems, to be better prepared for future disasters and crises. You can apply to join their Northern Rivers Community Carers and Responders (CCR) network, where you will be connected with like-minded residents and learn everything from disaster preparedness, emergency communications, food and water security, community organising, psychological first aid, self-care and more.
Available support
The unwieldly enormity of the climate crisis can be overwhelming. Local and National support is available:
- The Northern Rivers Community Healing Hub is a community initiative that provides a healing space to support flood recovery with trauma-informed counsellors, bodyworkers, weaving circles, yarning circles, group activities and free tea, coffee and food.
- Northern NSW Local Health District run a Community Mental Health program and offer services to everyone. Their Mental Health Line is 1800 011 511.
- Healthy North Coast run a mental health service and launched a free helpline and a drop-in centre as part of the flood response – 1800 595 212.
- Headspace Lismore offers free mental health support for youth in Lismore.
- Psychology for a Safe Climate is a national organisation supporting people emotionally in facing the climate reality. They run online social and emotional support sessions for individuals and for mental health practitioners on a regular basis.