Environment Team

Look at how MGC is acting to reduce its ecological footprint, compare our energy consumption and resource use here

While our energy use skyrocketed from 2010-2011, we have started to reverse the cycle in 2012. Well done MGC!

Climate Commisioner "bowled over by MGC Environmental achievements"

On Wednesday 25th July 2012 we were extremely fortunate to be visited by three of Australia’s Climate Commissioners including Australian of the Year Professor Tim Flannery, Professor Lesley Hughes and Professor Veena Sahajwalla.
The Climate Commission was established in 2011 to provide all Australians with an independent and reliable source of information about the science of climate change, the international action being taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and the economics of a carbon price.

 The commissioners were given a tour of the school where they were greeted by various members of our student Environment Team, including Congolese exchange student Bolo Makemba (AKA Emma Sinclair in a gorilla suit), who, with the aid of an interpreter, explained our commitment to recycling and reducing waste at the school. The Commissioners were also involved in planting a Silver Banksia amongst our Murnong bush tucker garden and contributed pedal power to the grid on our electric pedal generators.
 

After the tour the commissioners gave a presentation to a selected group of students including the Environment Team, Environmental Science, Outdoor Ed and Chemistry students. The commissioners commented on the quality of our students’ questions and were impressed with the commitments MGC has made to sustainability.
 

Student Environment Conference 2012

30th August 9am-3pm. To register contact sustainability Coordinator

This year is the International Year of Sustainable Energy for All and hence, our theme is all about Repowering! REPOWER is about taking power away from the traditional players such as politicians and big corporations and showing that the community is a powerful mechanism for change. In a practical sense, we are also acknowledging the fact that we must repower our nation, move away from high polluting fossil fuel energy sources and embrace renewables. Our engaging presenters will explore these issues in fun and interactive workshops.

We at MGC believe that Renewable power is the future and we are putting our money where our mouths are by literally powering the school with human power since 2011. Delegates will be invited to climb aboard or pedal generators to contribute their own renewable energy to the grid whilst at the conference.

While we are repowering the electricity grid, we are empowering Victoria’s youth!

Guests will be presenting from the Wurundjeri Council, Beyond Zero Emissions, Greening Australia, Future Spark, Australian Conservation Foundation, CERES and the Australian Youth Climate Coalition. This event is open to any high school students who have a strong enthusiasm for the environment. We would like to invite up to 12 students leaders from your school who have shown an interest in this area.

For more information about other KTK events:

http://www.kidsteachingkids.com.au/

To register, contact Mr Andrew Vance: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Melbourne Girls out-pedal fossilised giants to power movie

On the 25^th of February 2011, the world’s first zero carbon pedal powered moonlight cinema was held at MGC. The night was a great success with over 200 guests and over 2000 watt hours of pure green human-pedal power generated.

Generous sponsorship from Sustainability Victoria, IKEA, FutureSpark, City of Yarra, Jasper Coffee, CargoBike, VeloCycles and Richmond Cyclery helped to engage the wider community with the event. The donated coffee  from Jasper Coffee was 100% carbon neutral and fair trade, which linked-in perfectly to our green power theme. IKEA donated solar powered fairy lights to provide a wonderful ‘green’ ambiance. In fact, after a discussion on the environmental benefits of vegetarianism, this event marked the first time that the parents association sold out of veggie burgers before sausages!

School environment captains Melissa and Mim took charge of the proceedings as MCs, beginning the night by acknowledging the Wurrundjeri people as the traditional owners of the land and reminding us of the way in which they lived sustainably. Musicians provided a relaxing balance to the highly competitive pedalling environment on the generators prior to the screening of the film. In fact, a full day of pedalling was required to ensure the mammoth 2 kilowatt hours of electricity required to show the film was generated (incidentally, we’re not sure if one extremely compressed mammoth could provide enough fuel to power a 98 minute outdoor film!). At 8pm the Mayor arrived in her hybrid electric bicycle and took to the stage to introduce the film and officially launch the pedal generators.