ECO Team News
The Eco Team inspires change...
At recent student assemblies the FHS Eco Team presented information about issues concerning the environment. An introduction to the assembly was provided by Hayley Musgrave and Kayley Lewis. As part of the introduction they spoke of Jane Goodall, a standout example of someone who, through dedication and perseverance, has helped to inspire significant environmental change. A fitting start to the assembly.
The climate change component of the presentation was passionately presented by Matilda Scroggie (Year 9); the plastic pollution part clearly and succinctly by Georgie Dowel (Year 9). Through a multimedia presentation, their peers were alerted to the pressing issues of our time, so that they might alter their behaviour to make a more concerted effort to look after the environment that supports their lives. It is always difficult to speak about topics that are confronting, and indeed confusing, for some people. All members of the Eco Team should be very proud of their efforts.
To balance the confronting nature of climate change and plastic pollution, a positive story from the 1980s was explained in a very professional manner by Freya Vaughan (Year 9). A story of global cooperation that resulted in an Earth that is still fully habitable for human beings – a story that sounds like it was lifted straight from a Hollywood script.
Anyone who was around in the 1980s might remember a hole in the ozone layer becoming a focus for the media. For those who cannot remember (or are too young to remember), a hole in the ozone layer was opening over Antarctica and was very likely to increase in size over time. However, governments around the world came together to ban the cause of the problem – chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), a propellant used in pressurised spray cans at the time.
This global cooperation resulted in a ban titled The Montreal Protocol.
In early 2018, NASA reported that the Montreal Protocol worked. They were seeing a reduction in the size of the ozone hole over Antarctica. It is likely to fully recover somewhere around the year 2065.
Without the global ban, it would have been a different story. NASA concluded that life on Earth would have been a lot more uncomfortable than what humans are currently used to, even on the verge of the Earth being virtually uninhabitable.
Students listening to the presentation seemed to take comfort in the idea that governments can work cooperatively for the global good.
The presentation continued with Allira Reid (Year 7) and Jorden Lancaster (Year 7) enthusiastically speaking about environmental initiatives being undertaken by different organisations; from Microsoft using 100% renewable energy since 2014 through to Adidas’ use of recovered beach plastics to construct shoes - positive stories rarely heard in the media.
The next stage of the presentation, delivered with diligence by Year 8 stuents; Mayatili Thompson-Fidge, Laura Brumbaugh and Harriet Muhlnickel, revolved around what individuals could do to make an immediate difference in terms of minimising their environmental impact. This included things like the greater use of recycled paper, significantly decreasing the use of single-use plastics and reducing energy consumption where possible.
The final impassioned speech was delivered by Eco Team president Michaela Goggin (Year 9). In it she reiterated key points about humans needing to work together to achieve the better future we all deserve. Cooperation and effort are likely to make up a big part of this. She ended the speech with a quote made famous by Margaret Mead, ‘Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.’
The Eco Team greatly appreciated the interested and patient nature of their audiences, it is hoped they absorbed a lot of what was spoken about on the day. The importance of the Eco Team's messages cannot be overstated.
Lastly, a big thank you to Luisa Harrasser (Year 8) who helped out with behind-the-scenes organisation during the presentation.
Join the ‘Eco Team at FHS’ group on Facebook to keep an eye on what’s going on environmentally and to join the conversation.
For more information on the ozone layer and Montreal Protocol click HERE.
Mr Brendan McKinnon
Sustainability Coordinator
Invitation - 5 September
The Eco Team would like to extend an official invite to you, your family and friends on behalf of Environment Victoria. On Wednesday 5 September, at 6.00pm in the Senior School Presentation Space, Environment Victoria will be presenting an overview of the renewable energy policies for each of the main political parties. This is expected to be a low key, relaxed event where attendees can ask questions and find out more about what political parties aim to do in terms of decreasing Victoria’s dependence on fossil fuels. If you would like to attend please RSVP to bmckinnon@fhs.vic.edu.au prior to 5 September.
