Reshaping a Green Economy
On November12, fourteen year 10 students attended the launch of the report Green Shoots: Opportunities to grow a sustainable WA economy. Mount Lawley students were the only students in attendance along with two teachers. The audience consisted of government members, academics and prominent business representatives. The report was the result of a recently undertaken research program focusing on transition pathways towards a more environmentally sustainable economy. The research was conducted by the Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre (BCEC). This focus is also the current focus of the Year 10 Humanities and Social Science class. The transition to a sustainable WA economy and the possible future job opportunities is quite meaningful to the future students of Economics. The students were additionally presented with a copy of the report.
"Green shoots" is about working towards opportunities to grow a sustainable WA economy. The event started with a beautiful traditional welcome to the country by Emeritus Professor, Colleen Hayward AM who reinforced that sustainability is core belief of Aboriginal and Indigenous culture. The keynote speech was delivered by Hon Dave Kelly BA MLA, Minister for Water; Forestry, Innovation and ICT; Science; Youth, who clearly indicated that climate change is quite evident in Western Australia. The dwindling ground water resources and the dam levels means that the change must occur sooner than later. Jessica Strutt, journalist and presenter of ABC radio Perth's Focus program was the MC for the event. The report was presented by Professor Alan Duncan, Director, Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre, and Dr. Silvia Salazar, Research Fellow, Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre. The panellists included Elizabeth Brennan, Co-Founded and Managing Director, agdots, Yvonne Power; Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer, Village Energy and Piers Verstegen, Executive Director, Conservation Council of Western Australia. We learnt about the impact of our current economic activity on our environment and some of the ways through which these issues can be and must be addressed. Statistics of where WA stands compared to other states revealed the urgency of this issue how little we are really doing. The confronting information was followed by the impact of the mining sector and other industries and the possible diversification of environmental opportunities in WA. It was a great experience and a major eye-opener to how WA is reshaping its future.
Charlie, Year 10
