• The climate is rapidly changing
• Human activity is the main cause
• The effects will intensify this century

Scientists consider it imperative that we act immediately to reduce carbon and greenhouse gas emissions. If we continue at the rate that we are going, the changes we are causing could cause irreparable and irreversible damage to our planet and destroy our environment.

The term "global warming" is somewhat of a misnomer. The climate is actually "changing" and "destabilising". Average temperatures have been increasing (and will continue) but it is the climate variation that is going to cause the most problems.

With the changing climate, weather variables will fluctuate leading to a much greater frequency of extreme & unpredictable weather patterns & events.

Since 2003, we have seen in Australia what is being termed a 1000 year drought - it is the worst on record in our countries history. This can be seen as a direct result of climate change. Paradoxically, we have also seen great flooding such as the recent devastation in parts of Australia and England. We have also seen rampaging hurricanes and cyclonic activity in other parts of the world. This is but the beginning. It is anticipated that these intense and extreme weather patterns will only become more extreme if we do not act now.

2005 was officially Australia’s hottest year. Temperature has been increasing since 1990 with the ten hottest years occuring since then. "Data collected indicates that the nation's mean temperature for 2005 was 1.09°C above the 1961-90 average, making it the warmest year on record. The previous record of +0.84°C was set in 1998. While these temperatures may seem small, a 1°C increase in mean temperatures is equivalent to many southern Australian towns shifting northwardby about 100km." Source - http://www.bom.gov.au/

Reduce waste
Over 40% of an average Australian household’s waste thrown away is food, garden or wood waste. Think about composting or recycling your waste instead.

Chemical free cleaning
Use fewer chemicals when cleaning. Bicarbonate of soda with water is great for cleaning benches, sinks and windows. For cleaning floors and windows add a cup of vinegar to every 1 litre of warm water.

Don’t drive once a week
Take one less 10km car trip each week and you’ll cut your carbon emissions by 600kg a year. Ride your bike or walk wherever you can. By leaving your car at home for journeys up to 5km you could save around $1000 on fuel a year. If at all possible, use public transport, jump on a bus, train or tram.

Adjust the temperature
A difference of just one degree on the thermostat of your heater or air conditioner can reduce your energy consumption by up to 10%.

Think about your next flight
If you can avoid one Sydney to Melbourne return air trip, you’ll reduce your greenhouse pollution by 450kg.

Fit a smarter showerhead
You’ll save up to 100,000 litres of water a year and use less energy heating your water.

Be a star performer
Insist on appliances with a high energy star rating. Again you’ll save money and reduce greenhouse pollution.

Don’t use plastic bags
One plastic bag can take up to 500 years to decay in landfill. Non-woven reusable shopping bags have almost become the next fashion accessory anyway - you can get them in all shapes and sizes these days.

Plant a tree (or three)
Over a lifetime a tree can provide oxygen for two people for the rest of their lives.

Don’t brush your teeth using running water
It can waste up to 9 litres of water a minute. That’s 26,000 litres of water per family a year.

Switch to Green Power
The best way to reduce carbon is to buy accredited Green Power from your energy retailer.

• For more tips go to:
• Australian Conservation Foundation - Eco Calculator
• Australian Government - Living Greener website

If you have a great tip, contact us and share your thoughts.

To promote through all Modern Group activities, a sound awareness of, and favourable attitudes and behaviours towards the environment among all staff and customers. Reduce the adverse impacts of the Modern Group’s activities on the local, national and global environment.

• To support the Modern Group’s Environmental Policy, the following principles provide additional direction on specific issues. The Modern Group will employ the best practicable methods to:
• Conserve energy (produced by non-renewable resources and by methods which pollute the environment).
• Conserve water resources and minimise wastewater disposal.
• Properly manage the safe storage and use of harmful substances.
• Ensure the correct and safe disposal of all substances.
• Minimise waste generation through reduction, reuse and recycling.
• Minimise pollution - noise, visual, electromagnetic radiation, odour.
• Address environmental concerns in all planning and landscaping decisions.
• Encourage procurement procedures that adhere to the principles of the environmental policy, especially in the use of suppliers with similar environmental management practices.
• Increase the range of environmentally friendly products and services available from the Modern Group, in line with the Environmental Policy.

We will continue to work towards ISO 14000 standards by implementing the following strategies that help our employees and the environment.

Green mobility: Diesel only policy for company vehicles.

IT: Energy Intensive technology - Working towards eco friendly printers, faxes, pc’s and servers that meet the international Energy Star standards. Aim to use use power management tools on desktop computers

Modern Employees: Modern is actively involved with the 'Aussie Recycling Program' and promotes recycling of mobile phones. Staff are encouraged to participate in car pooling initiatives.

The Adelaide Crows will be installing solar panels in their new Westpac Centre. The panels by Modern Solar, have been designed as an expandable system.

Once the first roll-out is complete it will see the Club create greenhouse gas reductions of approximately 12,000 kgs of C02 per year. The Club was very mindful of its environmental responsibilities when the Westpac Centre was designed and built last year. Read more.

Modern has partnered with ARP, Australia's first Mobile Phone Recycling program that provides a solution to help clean up the environment while at the same time helping raise much needed funds for charities.

• By recycling your unused mobile phone with ARP, you are helping to:
• Raise funds for a charity of your choice.
• Preserve the environment by keeping your unused mobile phone out of landfill & recycling it for re-use.

The Cantebury Bankstown Bulldogs have accepted the challenge to help green up Sydney with Modern!
Round 25, 24th August - 30th August.

• Join the Parramatta Eels & Modern Solar on a mobile muster:
• 08/07/10 - The Pirtek Parramatta Eels have joined with Modern Solar to muster old mobile phones and raise money for Ronald McDonald House.

• Modern Solar sponsor the Parramatta Eels:
• 16/04/10 - The Parramatta Eels welcome another leading Australian company as a high level corporate partner with the signing of Modern Solar as 'front shorts sponsor' for the next two years with an option for an additional 2 years. Parramatta and Modern Solar have partnered to help promote a 'think green' attitude through the community. Read more »

The Parramatta Eels have accepted the challenge to help green up Sydney with Modern!
Round 21, 27th July - 2nd August.

The Sydney Roosters have accepted the challenge to help green up Sydney with Modern!
Round 24, 17th August - 23rd August.

The Wests Tigers have accepted the challenge to help green up Sydney with Modern!
Round 23, 10th August - 16th August.