Deep breath, this is going to hurt.

But not doing anything, that’s going to hurt my children more.

The science is indisputable with the impacts of global climate change upon us. Our glaciers and ice sheets are shrinking, raising sea levels and causing irreversible loss to low-lying nations. We will experience more floods, severe droughts and be impacted by bushfires. Supply chain instability (think worsening storms impacting global shipping routes) and a global food crisis (think famine, social instability and 'have' and 'have not' nations) will be our future. For those caught up in the devastation of the eastern NSW and Victorian floods this season, those in northern NSW earlier this year or the red fires of early 2020, they do not need these climate lessons.

But let's not have this be about fear. I am looking to build hope, in incremental, achievable changes to the habits and systems in the way some of us urban folk are living. Some of you will want more drastic change, will want to get there faster, and that's ok too.

This blog is about a little middling family of three on our personal journey to net zero by 2030. Roll with me as I learn more about decarbonisation and the changes I need to make to be slightly more sustainable in our actions. every. single. day.

Decarbonisation

Decarbonisation is about reducing your carbon footprint, meaning to stop activity that causes greenhouse gas emissions, like carbon dioxide (CO 2) and methane (CH 4), or to capture them from the atmosphere (often called sequestration) in order to reduce their impact on the climate. Greenhouse gas emissions contribute to global warming, with devastating impacts to weather and ecosystems.

I’m a little scared of learning too much and how much its going to challenge the way we do things around here. What will we have to give up? Is it going to break the bank? Come learn from my failures and successes (hey, give me some tips!) as we explore this sustainability journey together.

Ever started something new and you’re totally into it? Me too. I'm pretty sure my family and friends will have to endlessly listen to me talk about the pros and cons of some new habit I've made, then listen to me whinge as I learn the true environmental impact of some of the products and vices I love (chocolate!! Hopefully that can be netted off ).

But if we stick with it, this little family, we just might make it to net zero and inspire a few others along the way to make better choices to look after this planet's climate.