Through a special event at Macquarie University’s Orientation Week, The Wilderness Society (TWS) will reach out to young people by launching their new research report, The Australia We Love.
The February 25 event will bring together first year university and high school students, Macquarie’s leading environmental experts, and the local community.
Mike Roache, author of The Australia We Love, said the report provides recent and relevant information about the state of Australia’s rivers, climate, food, forests, waste and pollution, land management, oceans and reefs.
“Like similar studies from overseas, this Australian report shows nature is in decline because more of the earth’s resources are being used up than can be replaced by nature,” Mr Roache said.
“We simply can’t maintain our standards of health and wellbeing if we don’t care for nature – it supports our lives, livelihoods, and our quality of life. Every single thing we need to live comes from nature.”
The report was produced on behalf of the Places You Love Alliance, a coalition of 41 Australian environment groups, including TWS.
Kaine Johnson of TWS said they wanted to launch the report at a university because they believe engaging with the next generation is crucial to ensuring the sustainability of the planet.
“We chose to partner with Macquarie University because it sets the benchmark for environmental awareness in universities. We have worked with Macquarie’s students and academics, who have shown deep commitment to the environmental sciences and research in the field of climate change,” he said.
Distinguished Professor of Biology Lesley Hughes, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research Integrity and Development) and winner of the 2014 Eureka Prize for Promoting Understanding of Australian Science Research, will also be introducing Michael Roache at the launch.
“It is young Australians who can make a difference – the power is in their hands,” Professor Hughes said.
“The launch will be during O Week when our new students will be finding their way about the campus, looking at study choices as well as which societies they’d like to join.
“We have also invited high schools in the area to come along, to stimulate their interest in studying science, environmental management and climate change. We know that many of the students are already active in citizen science projects and other activities in their local areas.
“It’s the new generation of scientists, lawyers, business people, politicians and advocates who will drive the changes in our society necessary to ensure the wellbeing of nature, and that our society is protected long into the future,” said Professor Hughes.
Also at the event will be representatives of the Ryde Environmental Education Network, a City of Ryde initiative, and staff and students from Macquarie programs and initiatives.
DETAILS OF THE MACQUARIE UNIVERSITY O WEEK EVENT:
The Atrium, Macquarie University Hub
2-4pm Wednesday 25 February 2015
All welcome, especially school students who are interested in the environment. There will be live music and free food.
Contact: Kaine Johnson 0499092565 or kaine.johnson@wilderness.org.au
The February 25 event will bring together first year university and high school students, Macquarie’s leading environmental experts, and the local community.
Mike Roache, author of The Australia We Love, said the report provides recent and relevant information about the state of Australia’s rivers, climate, food, forests, waste and pollution, land management, oceans and reefs.
“Like similar studies from overseas, this Australian report shows nature is in decline because more of the earth’s resources are being used up than can be replaced by nature,” Mr Roache said.
“We simply can’t maintain our standards of health and wellbeing if we don’t care for nature – it supports our lives, livelihoods, and our quality of life. Every single thing we need to live comes from nature.”
The report was produced on behalf of the Places You Love Alliance, a coalition of 41 Australian environment groups, including TWS.
Kaine Johnson of TWS said they wanted to launch the report at a university because they believe engaging with the next generation is crucial to ensuring the sustainability of the planet.
“We chose to partner with Macquarie University because it sets the benchmark for environmental awareness in universities. We have worked with Macquarie’s students and academics, who have shown deep commitment to the environmental sciences and research in the field of climate change,” he said.
Distinguished Professor of Biology Lesley Hughes, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research Integrity and Development) and winner of the 2014 Eureka Prize for Promoting Understanding of Australian Science Research, will also be introducing Michael Roache at the launch.
“It is young Australians who can make a difference – the power is in their hands,” Professor Hughes said.
“The launch will be during O Week when our new students will be finding their way about the campus, looking at study choices as well as which societies they’d like to join.
“We have also invited high schools in the area to come along, to stimulate their interest in studying science, environmental management and climate change. We know that many of the students are already active in citizen science projects and other activities in their local areas.
“It’s the new generation of scientists, lawyers, business people, politicians and advocates who will drive the changes in our society necessary to ensure the wellbeing of nature, and that our society is protected long into the future,” said Professor Hughes.
Also at the event will be representatives of the Ryde Environmental Education Network, a City of Ryde initiative, and staff and students from Macquarie programs and initiatives.
DETAILS OF THE MACQUARIE UNIVERSITY O WEEK EVENT:
The Atrium, Macquarie University Hub
2-4pm Wednesday 25 February 2015
All welcome, especially school students who are interested in the environment. There will be live music and free food.
Contact: Kaine Johnson 0499092565 or kaine.johnson@wilderness.org.au
