Much of what makes Western Australia such a great place to visit is the sheer number of nautral landscapes and unique wildlife that inhabit this wonderous state.
Climate change in particular impacts on Western Australia’s fragile ecosystem, presenting new challenges for ensuring our natural wonders survive for future generations.
Everyone can help reduce climate change. Below you’ll find information on what you can do to reduce your carbon footprint and help preserve our natural environment when visiting WA.
Reduce your carbon footprint
Here are some quick tips for reducing carbon footprint on your next WA holiday:
Switch off lights, appliances and equipment when they're not in use.
Airconditioning can increase fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions so we recommend you set it to 24 degrees whenever it becomes too hot for you.
Turn off electrical devices such as televisions when not in use.
If you see rubbish, pick it up and recycle or dispose of it thoughtfully.
Keep your curtains and blinds closed during the heat of the day to ease the pressure on your airconditioner.
Opt for a low emissions hire car when driving through WA.
Find out more about climate change at the Australian Government Department of Climate Change website.
Be waterwise
There's a reason that Western Australia gets more blue sky and sunny days than any other state: it doesn't rain much.
Water is a scarce resource in Western Australia and many regions are subject to year-round water restrictions due to drought conditions.
So when you're on the move in Western Australia, be waterwise:
Keep your showers short. A minute or two less in the shower adds up to a lot of water saved over a year.
Wash your clothes in bulk.
Minimise water wastage when cleaning your teeth, washing your hands or rinsing fruit or vegetables in the sink.
Leave it as you found it
Leave our natural wonderland as you found it by taking everything you bring with you when you leave. Following a few basic principles when exploring WA can make a world of difference:
Pack it in, pack it out: when camping outdoors check the area before you leave to ensure no food stuffs or packaging is left lying around.
Watch where you step: trampling through the bush can destroy the habitats of our smaller local inhabitants and endanger local plants through soil erosion.
Small campfires are better (and cosier!): wildfires can start from the smallest of embers, so ensure the fire is out before you leave the area and always check for fire ban signs.
Ecotourism
Tourism operators in Australia now have access to nationally recognised Ecotourism certification processes including Ecotourism Australia and the Tourism Council of WA accreditation scheme.
For visitors to Western Australia, Ecotourism certification processes help identify genuine ecotourism and nature tourism operators that are backed by a commitment to best practice ecological sustainability, natural area management and the provision of quality ecotourism experiences.
More tools and resources:
Calculate your current carbon emissions at carbonneutral.com.au
See if you can fly carbon neutral with your airline.
Information on the carbon emissions of Australian cars at the Green Vehicle Guide.