Every day we shape our planet's future when we make small life decisions - what we buy, what we eat, how we travel. The future of the planet is in our hands; the future is man-made. And we are all "Futuremakers". If we choose to live sustainably, we can assure a future for all living things. And we can have some fun doing it too!

This site, created by WWF-Australia, is a place where you can share ideas with other Futuremakers so that we can live more sustainably. We hope the tips and stories here will be useful for you. (More about this site)

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Archive for June, 2008

Jun
27
Idea by Ben
 

Paper Buyers Guide

WWF’s forests expert Jana, has put together a few tips on reducing the impact of paper use on the environment.

  • Think before you print! Can you read that document on the screen and circulate it by email, instead of printing out several copies?
  • Collect all waste paper for recycling.
  • Use papers made from post-consumer waste recycled fibre. Where virgin fibre is used look for the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) logo, to ensure your paper comes from a well-managed forest.

Tips and Tools

  • Never tick the box on a form saying you would like to receive more information.
  • Stick a “no junk mail” sign on your letterbox and write to people who send you junk mail asking to be removed from their database.
  • Use scraps of paper for notes instead of post-its.
  • Re-use envelopes by using address labels.
  • Archive information electronically.
  • Print double sided
  • Use the blank sides of unneeded single-sided copies for printing drafts.
  • Use outdated letterhead for in-house memos.
  • Designate a printer for draft printing and use only used paper in its paper tray.
  • Set up office systems to pass reports/magazines/newspapers around to multiple readers, rather than ordering and producing multiple copies.
  • Keep paper for recycling separate from other paper supplies.
  • Use thinner paper.

The thickness of paper we use makes a big difference both in terms of cost as well as the amount of paper used. You can find the reference to the thickness of paper on the package, mostly ranging from 60gsm or g/m2 (grams per square metre) to 100gsm.

Heavier weight sheets use more fibre, cost more per sheet and cost more to post. Most printers work well with 70gsm and 80gsm. Using thinner paper most often does not change the performance and can save money too.

Paper with a basis weight of

  • 60gsm uses and costs 20% more than 50gsm;
  • 70gsm uses and costs 15% more than 60gsm;
  • 80gsm uses and costs 12% more than 70gsm;
  • 100gsm uses and costs 20% more than 80gsm

Lets all do our part and buy paper with the least amount of impact on the environment!


Comments (5)
Jun
26
Idea by Lydia
 
lydia-snorkelling-thumbs-up-small1.jpg

My trip to the reef

Hi – I’m Lydia, WWF Australia’s Tropical Marine and Coastal Policy Manager and I am so excited to be part of WWF’s campaign to Save the Coral Sea.

I just spent the last few days in Port Douglas meeting with the some wonderful scientists from James Cook University to learn more about the beautiful Dwarf MinkeWhale. These magnificent creatures are a regular visitor of the Northern Great Barrier Reef between June and July and are known to inhabit the Coral Sea. It was fascinating to learn about these research that James Cook University are doing in collaboration Museum of tropical Queensland and Undersea Explorer – apparently the whales have been shown to exhibit a behavior called pirouetting where they spin vertically in water like a ballerina - amazing!

Read more…


Comments (0)
Jun
05
Idea by Kasia
  

Celebrate World Environment Day

Future generations face hunger, thirst, disease and disaster if we carry on trashing the environment. Sounds like a stark warning, from WWF, as the world celebrates World Environment Day.

I’ve taken it upon myself today, to research what kind of future we all have in a world were environmental issues are in the news everywhere.

Food, clean water, medicines and protection from natural hazards are important ingredients in maintaining our security and quality of life. But, if we want to continue living the way we do then the species, natural habitats and ecosystems that support them need to be protected.

I think this message hit me hardest upon reading WWF’s report 2010 and Beyond: Rising to the Biodiversity Challenge. While reading a report may not be everyone’s cup of tea, it explains how we all will be affected in our changing world.
But, lets not forget that today is a day to celebrate the environment. So, whether your in an office looking out the window, taking a walk, or sitting on a park bench. Take a moment from your day and appreciate the environment that’s around us.


Comments (0)