University joins ClimateCam crusade
In the continued fight to reduce its carbon footprint, the University of Newcastle has joined The City of Newcastle’s revolutionary ClimateCam initiative.
ClimateCam is the world's first online 'carbon emissions speedometer'. It tracks the city's energy and water usage and waste generation so the community can monitor its contribution to climate change.
By joining the ClimateCam program, the University aims to use resources more efficiently, measure its carbon footprint and manage emissions.
University of Newcastle Vice-Chancellor, Professor Nicholas Saunders, said participation in the ClimateCam program aimed to increase the University community’s understanding about its energy consumption.
“While our level of energy consumption is one of the lowest in the university sector there is always room for improvement,” Professor Saunders said.
“With our rising student numbers and growing infrastructure, the University will need to continue to be vigilant to manage its emissions, and initiatives such as ClimateCam will help us in this endeavour.”
The University’s involvement in ClimateCam is one of the commitments in its new 2011-2013 Environmental Sustainability Plan and will support the ongoing dedication to energy consumption monitoring and reporting.
“We are very excited to partner with Council so we can all work together to reduce our collective emissions and make a real difference to this global problem,” Professor Saunders said.
The City of Newcastle’s Manager of Environment and Climate Change Services, Peter Dormand, said that collaborating with the University of Newcastle was a critical part of the Council’s plan for Newcastle to become a leading showcase for sustainability.
“We are working with all sectors of the Newcastle community – residential, business and education – to establish targets and identify opportunities to achieve a low carbon and water future for the city,” Mr Dormand said.
ClimateCam consists of an online system where electricity data for the entire city is updated every 15 minutes. Data on water, transport energy and waste generation is added on a monthly basis. A ClimateCam billboard, located in Wheeler Place in the city centre, reports on the amount of electricity that has been used across the city on an hourly basis.
To find out more about ClimateCam visit:
Energy & carbon emissions page
www.climatecam.com.
For interviews: Professor Saunders through Megan Cunneen, Media and Public Relations Officer, on 02 4921 5351 or 0448 369 871. Mr Dormand, The City of Newcastle’s Manager of Environment and Climate Change Service, on 02 4974 2542.