H.O.P.E. (Householders Options to Protect the Environment) Australia has recognized the need to help all Queenslanders reduce their carbon footprint by introducing free booklets that demonstrate simple steps to a healthier home.

President of Hope Australia, Frank Ondrus, said the organisation aims to provide awareness and information to educate the community about important environmental issues.

He said, We encourage people to take responsibility for their relationship with the environment in their daily lives.

The Low Carbon Living Starts at Home booklet was developed to show residents simple and effective measures to reduce electricity and water consumption at home.

The 12 page booklet highlights all areas of the home where residents, renters and renovators can all make smarter choices to reduce their impact on the environment.

Premier Anna Blighs latest Toward Q2 report, labelled Queensland as having the largest carbon footprint in Australia, creating 30 per cent of the nations annual emissions from a State with only 20 per cent of the countrys population.

Greens Spokesperson and former QLD Greens Senator, Andrew Bartlett added, Queenslanders generate more emissions per person than most other parts of the world each individual on their own cant stop climate change, but climate change also cant be stopped unless we each individually play our part.

It is crucial in the battle against major climate change that we all do what we can to change our own lifestyles and habits where possible.

What we do in and around our own homes is pivotal to this.

Mr Bartlett supports the distribution of the free booklets and encourages Queenslanders to use them as a guide to reduce the states carbon emissions.

He believes that battling climate change is an important State issue but advised, Starting at home is a key part of this.

Brochures providing information and encouragement about how and why we should adopt low carbon living can make it easier for us to act to decrease carbon emissions in Queensland.

Methods developed and explained in the Low Carbon Living Starts at Home booklet can also be implemented in schools, businesses and community facilities.

Copies of the booklet can be downloaded from
http://www.hopeaustralia.org.au/docs/Low%20Carbon%20Living%20starts%20at%20home%20June%202009.pdf or alternatively hard copies can be obtained by sending a self addressed envelope to HOPE, PO Box 6118, Toowoomba West QLD 4350.

For more information about the Queensland Governments environmental programs visit http://www.climatesmart.qld.gov.au/.