Good news! Last week, the Newcastle University Clean Energy Campaign had a great win.
After three years of student (and staff) campaigning, Newcastle University has finally made a decision to take responsible action on climate change. The policy document was passed at University Council on Friday the 31st August, with 40 plus students bearing witness to the decision. It includes options for the purchase of renewable GreenPower, commitments to support and prepare students with the knowledge and skills to advocate sustainable energy use, support for climate aware energy research programs and initiating cultural change within the University and the broader community. It also commits the university to a target of 20% co2 emission reduction (from current levels) by 2015 (more significant given that the university is currently on a trajectory of 1.5% per annum increase in emissions).
The campaign was long and at times difficult. It involved petitions, stalls, meetings, actions, media, negotiating with University bureaucracy and lots of other things. The ongoing commitment of amazing organisers such as Jarra Hicks, Dany Boulos, Emma Wasson, and others, ensured that this was an issue (and group of students) that the University could not dismiss.
Although there is still a lot of work to do to keep the University accountable to this commitment, this is a big step forward and a huge win. Thank you to everyone who has dedicated their time to this campaign in the past.
If anyone would like a full copy of the documents that went to University Council (about 50 pgs), please contact me. This report included a background on climate change, CSIRO Hunter Valley climate change impact predictions, info on research and teaching and the draft policy and plan on sustainable energy management and co2 reduction.
A report will be coming from University management to the next University council meeting outlining how they’re going to put these policy statements into action.
Visit the Australian Youth Climate Coalition to read about similar successes
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Congratulations to the Australian Youth Coalition - and to It’s Getting Hot in Here.
What an encouraging story!
Especially at a time when some Universities are falling for the “hi-tech” fix so–called “solution” to global warming, and accepting government money to get the nuclear industry started up.
From reading current literature world-wide - it’s pretty obvious that the future lies with progress in conserving energy. in energy efficiency and clean renewable technologies. The future does not lie with that much-touted “nuclear renaissance”, which will be a still-birth.
I hope that other universities will take up your lead.
The energy storage and transmission technologies required to integrate renewables to a grid are also high technology. Whether it is safer reactors or more efficient energy storage, climate change will require better technology not less.
Hi R Margolis! Once again we post on a common thread! What is your first name? I feel like we have so many discussions about nuclear power we deserve to know each other on a first name basis!
My name is Robert.
My point above was not on the need (or not) of nuclear, but rather that all of the solution paths require higher and improved energy generation, storage, and transmission technologies. My guess is that there are too many people on the planet for a “back to nature” approach.