Corangamite Carbon Neutral Project (C²N) Announced
Sunday, 31 January 2010 23:49
Federal MP, Darren Cheeseman, today announced a Corangamite Carbon Neutral Project “(C²N)” which aims to assess the current carbon emissions status of the region and to put in place a roadmap for the region to become carbon neutral.
“In the wake of the disappointment with the Copenhagen Treaty many people are feeling frustrated and powerless about what to do on climate change,” Darren Cheeseman said.
“This project is about engaging and inspiring people locally, and giving them hope they can act in their own region in a project that can make a real difference.”
“The Corangamite Region should aim to be the first region in Australia to become carbon neutral, and I want to see a roadmap for how we get there.”
“Corangamite is a representative cross section of Australia, with some heavy industry, farming, suburbs, a dominance of road transport and small business, a coastal belt and carbon sinks in The Otways Ranges. We can be an example to the rest of Australia.”
“The Corangamite Region, with our existing and potential carbon sinks in The Otways and farms, has some real advantages in achieving carbon neutral status.”
“This is a very bold project that begins from the belief we can reach carbon neutral status as a region.”
Darren Cheeseman said he was talking to industry organisations, Deakin University academics and community groups about becoming partners on the project.
The project will begin with an assessment of the carbon emission status of the Surf Coast Shire as a test case, with models broadened to undertake assessments on a whole-of-the region basis.
The project will look in depth industry by industry, developing models for carbon assessments and alternative pathways for reducing ,emissions and the use of new potential carbon sinks, such as agriculture.
The region faces some very significant challenges resulting from climate change, in particular;
* threats to public and private homes and infrastructure from inundation across a wide area of the Bellarine Peninsula resulting from sea level rise,
* threats to the tourism industry through the Great Ocean Road and elsewhere,
* threats to the water supply;
*threats to farmers,
* threats to people and the environment from fire and other extreme climatic events.
The Corangamite Region also has tremendous potential for the use of alternative energy resources (including considerable solar, wind, geothermal, methane waste and tidal/ocean energy generation potential resources) and carbon sinks in local forests such as the Otways Ranges.
Darren Cheeseman said he was very hopeful Deakin University would come on board with the project.
“Deakin University has now positioned itself as a strategic institution in the transition of the Greater Geelong Region from a centre for carbon heavy industry to the industries of the future.”
“Deakin University has research strengths in inter-disciplinary science, in "problem-oriented and policy-relevant" focus (such as the Alfred Deakin Research Centre), and environmental science.”
“I would love to see academics involved and have under-graduate and post-graduate research projects develop from the this project throughout the next decade.”
Corangamite Carbon Neutral Phase 1
For more information ring Joe Taylor 0416241653.
