Sustainable Living: What Makes Brisbane Eco-Friendly

Brisbane has for many years received recognition for its sustainable urban living, innovative ideas, as well as proper litter management processes. Brisbane City Council has a vision that will see the waterways restored and wildlife protected by 2031 which will in return attract business. The question of how to make Brisbane a sustainable city is what the authorities work on answering each day.

There is a lot to learn from the efforts Brisbane has put into enhancing eco-friendly disposal of rubbish and creation of a habitable environment for the residents which can be used by other cities in Australia and also globally. Here is what makes Brisbane eco-friendly.

#1 People Have Embraced Green Energy

The residents of Brisbane have acknowledged that protecting our environment is a collective goal. It can, therefore, be observed that households have adopted renewable energy sources to replace the non-renewable ones that are harmful to the environment.

Each resident is also wary of how they dispose of litter. More food waste is used as compost manure while the recyclable items are taken into recycling plants. It is evident that the initiative has led to a reduction in debris at the landfills.

Most importantly, people have taken it upon themselves to educate the masses on environmental sustainability through art, music, schools, and other learning mediums. All the efforts are aimed at ensuring the city remains green and clean for future generations.

Many non-profit organisations have taken up the role of educating masses on garbage reuse. Some also take some of the discarded items and sell them at lower costs to the people. Most of the waste that would have otherwise found itself in the landfills is diverted.

#2 ‘City Cycle’ Project

Brisbane’s CityCycle has been initiated by a Brisbane City Council. The project aims at encouraging people to cycle into the city rather than using cars which emit fumes that are not good for the environment. The council has availed the bikes to all residents and visitors. Ideally, you can pick a bike at any bus stop leading to the city. The people have gladly taken up the idea, and it is evident from the number of people who cycle to work every morning.

Other than reducing the emission of gases from vehicles, riding bikes also reduces traffic congestion which is a win-win situation for the masses. They get to work on time and at the same time conserves their environment.

#3 Sustainable Farming Methods

While in Brisbane, you can be sure of quality foods and vegetables fresh from the garden. The most exciting thing is that the food is grown organically making it healthy for consumption. A food connect collects healthy foods direct from farmers who are found about five hours from the city. The fresh produce is then distributed to collection points within the city centre for the residents to purchase. Growing of crops organically is beneficial to the environment because chemicals kill water life.

#4 Habitat Brisbane Scheme

The city council spearheads the project, and it aims at conserving natural habitat. The plan works by pooling together members of the community to create a sustainable, clean, and green city. The volunteers identify any indigenous plants as well as reporting any wildlife they spot. The project also helps remove rubbish from parks and other vital brisbane green spaces such as the City Botanical Gardens so that they remain attractive to visitors. Trees are good for the environment because they not only offer homes to animals such as squirrels owls, and other birds but they also attract rain.

#5 Brisbane is a Smart Water City

According to the city council, Brisbane households use about 169 units of water monthly which is the lowest in the whole of Australia. It, therefore, implies that the residents have taken it upon themselves to ensure that their city is sustainable for future generations. The city council has also started water catchment programs which aim at safeguarding the water in the rivers of Brisbane. Besides, the council also takes keen measures to monitor the safety of the water used by the residents by carrying out a treatment process. The authorities in Brisbane have also established water treatment plants that aim at reusing water so that it is enough for the people.

But what could brisbane do to improve its eco-friendliness? The improvement can only be seen if people work together with the city council and the volunteer groups to keep on improving their living space. Living in Brisbane in the future will be a dream come true for most people if everyone works towards the achievement of the city’s goals towards a greener and a cleaner environment for all.

Brisbane has been ranked as one of the cleanest cities globally for years on a row due to its clean and eco-friendly practices. The city council works together with the residents to maintain the city in a clean and safe condition even for future generations. Some of the aspects that show how can Brisbane become a sustainable city in Australia are the city cycle scheme, safe farming methods, use of renewable energy, water-smart strategies, proper waste disposal through diversion and protection of the habitation. The city has put a lot of effort that should be emulated worldwide to achieve a clean and safe planet.

Perhaps one additional area that Brisbane can further improve on becoming more eco-friendly, is by introducing the concept of carbon credits to its residents – an area Singapore is starting to make progress in. They have electricity retailers that provide carbon neutral electricity by offering carbon credits that offsets usage of electricity – achieving real carbon neutrality.