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What about my own environmental impact as an author and as a citizen of the Earth? Well, the truth is, there’s even more than what Potato and Leek do.
My family were early adopters of solar technology, installing solar power in 2008, and extra panels and a battery in 2023. We installed large rainwater tanks in 2009. We use a Hills Hoist (a genuinely marvellous Australian invention) to dry our clothes in the sun and wind. We don’t own a clothes dryer.
Our property has been run as organic for over 30 years, i.e. no pesticides, weedicides or artificial fertiliser have been used on the garden. There are seven native trees and seven fruit trees on our suburban block providing habitat, shade, temperature reduction and food. The shrubs, herbs, flowers, vegies and climbers help support birds, bees and other insects. We try to grow a little of our own food. That is a work in progress!
There are also weeds! The way we figure it, weeds oxygenate the atmosphere, pull nutrients up to the surface and provide material for compost, so they’re let be, until there’s time to pull them up. Hopefully before they go to seed.
We hate waste and choose wisely, buy things that will last, re-use where possible, recycle where available. We often only put our rubbish bin out about once or twice a month as we recycle and compost whatever we can.
This year we got our emissions under 2 tonnes each as a family. Woohoo! With our household now being a net exporter of renewable energy, I look forward to seeing if we can reach net zero in the near future.
Joni Page 