None
Friday, 30 July 2010

UWA Business School
People often say that the solution to climate change has to start with governments and corporations taking decisive action. However, a team of university students believe that change starts with the individual.

Students in Free Enterprise at The University of Western Australia (SIFE UWA) have launched Carbon Futures, an online interactive programme which encourages individuals to reduce their carbon footprint.

‘Carbon Futures hopes to demystify the belief among individuals that it is pointless to reduce carbon emissions because it makes almost no difference to the environment. However, the contrary is true,' said Catherine Mah, UWA Student and Carbon Futures Co-ordinator.

‘Carbon Futures allows people to quantify the reductions they achieve in their carbon emissions from changing the way they go about their daily activities.'

Carbon Futures ran in the form of a three-week challenge from 23 August to 2 September 2010 in which participants competed to make the biggest sustainable reduction to their carbon footprint in the categories of water, transport, and energy consumption.

SIFE UWA said the programme was one of the largest mobilisations of people simultaneously reducing their carbon emissions, with thousands of people from all around Australia participating.

‘We hoped the challenge would engage many people because it is accessible from all computers and mobile phones with internet connections,' said Catherine.

Carbon Futures has been endorsed by former WA Premier and current UWA professor, Dr Carmen Lawrence, and former Federal Minister for the Environment, the Honourable Peter Garrett.

Mr Garrett said, ‘Carbon Futures [has] the potential to raise awareness of climate change by encouraging people to proactively consider the environmental consequences of their actions and modify their lifestyles to reduce carbon emissions.'

Carbon Futures was also presented to over 30 executives from Australia's most prominent companies including Woolworths, Qantas and Bic at the SIFE National Conference from 10 to 12 July 2010. Carbon Futures was well received with SIFE UWA being named the SIFE National Champion Team for the third consecutive year.

Media references

Heather Merritt
Director, External Relations
UWA Business School
T: +618 6488 8171
E: [email protected]

Catherine Mah
E: [email protected]
T: (08) 9490 2199 | M: +61415519893
E: [email protected]

Tags

Channels
Awards and Prizes — Business and Industry
Groups
eBiz