By Ruza Zivkusic
SUNSHINE College students have been switching off lately.
Switching off the lights, that is.
As part of their curriculum, the 22 year 8 students from West Campus have been doing their bit to combat climate change.
During the current term, and for the next one, students have been keeping an eye on news about global warming and have set up a feature wall in their classroom informing other students about ways they can save energy.
Their concerns about global warming prompted them to write to the Prime Minister, urging him to sign the Kyoto Protocol agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, year 8 teacher Susana Martinez said.
“They’re taking the subject of global warming very seriously,” Ms Martinez said.
“They’re engaged in the curriculum because it has a real life value to them.”
She said it was the first time the school had introduced global warming to the curriculum.
Ms Martinez said the younger generation realised change had to start with them.
“I think they’re becoming aware of the fact that it is real, they’re aware of the myths that surround global warming and they’re becoming critical readers of the media.”
One of the students involved in the project, Nicholas Meyers, said now was the time to make a change, otherwise it might be too late.
“I think young people should get into the habit of saving electricity because when we’re adults and we have kids we need to pass that information on to our children,” Nicholas said.
Another student, Jack Holman, has already taken action in his home by replacing old light bulbs with the energy efficient light bulbs.
“People need to start taking things seriously,” Jack said.
Ms Martinez said students were turning off power switches at the school.
“They’re questioning their own personal practice and use of energy and looking at alternative means,” she said.
Meanwhile, at the last meeting of the Brimbank City Council, councillors agreed to write to the Prime Minister expressing their support for the adoption of the Kyoto Protocol.
Brimbank mayor Margaret Giudice said the move showed how serious the issue of climate change has become.
“I was disappointed to read on the Australian Government’s website that a reason for not supporting this important issue is that the United States has indicated that it will not ratify.
“We need to stand on our own principles and do what is in the long-term interest of our children,” Cr Giudice said.
“The support for the Kyoto Protocol comes just two weeks after the council moved to receive a report on options for introducing reduced greenhouse emitting vehicles to the council fleet, including hybrids and cars and trucks powered by alternative fuels,” Cr Giudice said.
