Climate Canons

Keep Australia Beautiful Day

Starting in 1966, Keep Australia Beautiful (KAB) was our nation’s first anti-litter campaigner and sustainability advocate. Since then, KAB have been working with local community groups to raise awareness on how we can all live more sustainably.

On Tuesday, 5 March, the Climate Canons observed Keep Australia Beautiful Day with an event at lunch time. Thinking about our waste and being more aware of what goes into landfill is an important way we can all be part of the solution rather than the problem around litter. Students were involved in a game where they considered different types of litter and which bins they go in to win prizes. It was a timely reminder to use the recycling bins in classrooms and around the school grounds correctly. Every little bit counts, so do your bit!

Sea Week

The Climate Canons observed Sea Week on Monday, 11 March. It is Australia’s major national public awareness campaign to focus community awareness, provide information and encourage an appreciation of the sea. This annual week-long event gives us a fantastic opportunity to promote educational issues of relevance to the marine environment. This year's theme was 'the ocean and life in the ocean shape the features of Earth'.

The Climate Canons hosted a fishing game at lunch time to test students knowledge on the oceans and life within it. Students also participated in a Blooket quiz on our oceans, congratulations to our prize winners Izumi Carmelia (Year 12), Isabelle Crichton (Year 9), Anvithi Ledalla (Year 11), Ludia Majiwa (Year 12), Rainielle Micosa (Year 12), Sebastian Rosevear (Year 9) and Shoriye Dhull (Year 8).

International Day of Forests

In 2012, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 21 March the International Day of Forests (IDF). It celebrates and raises awareness of the importance of all types of forests. On each IDF, countries are encouraged to undertake local, national and international efforts to organise activities involving forests and trees, such as tree planting campaigns. The theme for each IDF is chosen by the Collaborative Partnership on Forests. This year's theme was 'forests and innovation: new solutions for a better world'.

On Wednesday, 20 March, the Climate Canons observed the IDF with an activity at recess where students were quizzed on their tree knowledge. Thank you to everyone who got involved.

Earth Hour

Earth Hour is a worldwide movement organised by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) held annually, to encourage individuals, communities, and businesses to give an hour for Earth. It is usually on the last Saturday or March and is marked by landmarks and businesses switching off non-essential electric lights, for one hour between 8.30pm and 9.30pm.

It's not very difficult to make small changes in the way you use energy to be more sustainable and be aware of the impact non-renewable energy choices are having on the planet. Some good habits include: 

• Always turning off lights and electronics when not in use (TVs, gaming consoles, computers, etc) including standby
• Unplugging chargers when not in use (even when not in use, chargers continue to draw power, creating energy waste) 
• Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
• Use active transportation where possible 
• Use energy efficient appliances (they use less energy while reducing electricity bills) 

The Climate Canons encouraged the College to observe one period on Monday, 25 March of 'switching off' where all non-essential technology was turned off. There were examples of lights off, windows open and classes outside as well as reduced screen time. Thank you to everyone who got involved. 

Miss D Pisconeri

(Climate Canons Co-ordinator)