Yahoo!7 Answers Australia

Last week, we had a chat with Lynne McGranger who plays Irene on Home and Away. This bubbly actress gave some great answers to your questions in this interview.

The wonderful thing about Yahoo!7 Answers is the conversation with celebrities isn’t one way, she also has the opportunity to ask you guys a question. After a bit of thought, Lynne explained that the environment has been on her mind recently. As she said:

It’s becoming more and more apparent that we all need to work together to help save the environment. After all, out of small things, big things grow! At my place we’re recycling water and using energy efficient light bulbs. I’m wondering what you’re doing in your home to help save the planet?

This is her question: What simple things have you done to make your home more environmentally friendly?

We think it’s a great question. With the global financial crisis, fluctuating unemployment predictions and swine flu, some of us have become a bit forgetful about the environment.

Here are some of the best suggestions so far, such as Doug M’s idea:

I am removing every plant from my garden that is not native to the district, starting with those that pose a threat to the native bushland (agapanthus, cotoneaster, sweet pittospurum, mirror plant, etc., etc.)

Jeetee suggests:

Save water by not flushing toilet constantly. the old saying if it’s yellow let it mellow if it’s brown flush it down..

Deeza07:

We use vinegar and bicarb to clean most surfaces. Vinegar kills germs and is a fantastic cleaner – great for bathrooms, floors, sinks, etc.

Whome?:

Use the first cycle of washing machine water (with suds) for the garden.

Well done, those suggestions are easy ways to make a difference! And if you haven’t answered yet or want to pick up some ideas for saving the environment, check out the question here – What simple things have you done to make your home more environmentally friendly?

Remember, every little bit helps!

Caitlin
Community Manager

It’s a pretty exciting night for Australians. Earth Hour began in Sydney as an initiative by the City of Sydney Council and now it’s a huge global event with over 50 million people taking part last year. This year, they’re aiming for 1 billion people, which is a huge goal but if we all do our bit we can help make a difference.

Got some questions about Earth Hour? We’ve got the Answers!

What’s the point of Earth Hour?

It only exists to raise awareness of energy usage and the benefits of conservation. In reality, it does nothing in the way of actually significant energy usage reduction…

The hope of the creators is that this event will get people thinking about their energy choices the entire year. More

What should I do about Earth Hour as I have an event planned?

Perhaps you could incorporate it by turning out main lights in the hall for one minute. I probably wouldn’t turn them all out because who knows what might happen. Or perhaps you could set up a donation jar at the entrance and then donate the money to WWF, which is the organisation who organised Earth Hour. Have fun! More

How does wasting energy promote global warming?

Well, first of all, one of the main gases that cause global warming is carbon dioxide.

By saving energy, the power station that generates electricity to power your house doesn’t have to generate as much energy. Currently, the main method of generating energy is to burn coal, which produces a lot of carbon dioxide.

So, in short, we save energy –> power station doesn’t need to generate a lot of energy –> power station doesn’t need to burn too much coal –> less carbon dioxide is given off –> less carbon dioxide means slower global warming. More

Need more of a reason to join the cause? Check out this video from the organisers.

How about you, how will you be spending Earth Hour tomorrow night?