Empowering people to combat climate change
CP (carbon particle) - The star of the animation
An animated video and a regional outreach program will be used to educate Australians on how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions ahead of the introduction of the federal carbon tax in July.
Launched by ClimateWorks Australia, a collaboration between Monash University and the Myer Foundation, the Empower program highlights ways for businesses and households to take advantage of low-cost methods to reduce emissions.
The methods were identified in the Low Carbon Growth Plan, produced by ClimateWorks in 2010. The plan showed how Australia's carbon emissions could be reduced by 25 per cent on 2000 levels by 2020 and detailed associated savings.
ClimateWorks Australia Executive Director, Anna Skarbek said Melbourne’s south east could reduce emissions by almost four million tonnes by 2020, saving businesses and households in that area around $280 million a year.
“We believe these savings will increase further when the carbon price legislation takes effect. This is because when energy prices rise, it will become even more profitable to save energy,” Ms Skarbek said.
“Government grants will also be available for energy efficient equipment and actions making it cheaper for businesses and households to make these changes.”
Ms Skarbek said the Empower program involved presentations to industry and community groups, train-the-trainer sessions and an online component.
“As well as the YouTube animation, the online component also uses video case studies of a real household, a farmer and a small business taking action to reduce their emissions,” Ms Skarbek said.
Ms Skarbek said Australia could reduce its emissions by 25 per cent on 2000 levels by 2020 but many people did not understand how this could be achieved and were confused about what they could do.
“We are hoping the animation will capture people’s imagination and spread the word more quickly and simply that we can achieve a low carbon future.”
The program has been launched in Melbourne’s South East region and will be rolled out in Gippsland in Victoria, Toowoomba and Brisbane in Queensland and Ryde in New South Wales.
To download a copy of the animation, case studies and information on how to take up the opportunities visit the ClimateWorks website.