To protect people and the places we love from the impacts of climate change, we need to make more conscious decisions about our energy use.

Did you know Australia is one of the world's largest producers and exporters of coal? Australia exports 22% of the global market share of thermal coal, making our global contributions to climate change significant. Not only that, most of Australia's energy relies on traditional sources with non-renewable fossil fuels, coal and gas accounting for about 80% of our electricity generation. And when we burn fossil fuels to create electricity or power our cars, we release carbon dioxide (CO2) pollution into the Earth's atmosphere, where it contributes to the rise in global temperatures.

But there is a natural solution to help reverse global warming - trees!

Plants and trees play an important role in regulating the Earth's climate. They absorb CO2 from the air and release oxygen back into it. Forests and bushland act as carbon sinks and are a valuable means of keeping global warming to 1.5°C. By preventing deforestation and habitat destruction, planting more trees, shopping sustainability and calling on our leaders to introduce stronger laws to stop excessive tree-clearing, we can all work together to make a difference.

Take #TimeOutForNature this Earth Hour and as we reflect on all the benefits nature provides us and work together to protect it.