The sun is shining, January is over, and we’re back to another eco-friendly year for Sustainability at Merici!
This year marks the third International Year of the Reef, which will be celebrated Australia-wide and around the world. Our very own Great Barrier Reef has been under intense strain in recent history, with exposure to higher-than-average sea temperatures since 2015. As a result, in the summer of 2016 it’s estimated that 29% of the GBR’s shallow-water coral was lost from temperature-induced mass beaching (Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, 2017). A year celebrating the astounding biodiversity and critical ecological importance of coral reefs couldn’t have come soon enough.
The Year of the Reef is just another reminder of how important it is to continually work towards greater energy efficiency and more environmentally responsible waste management at school. By Flicking the Switch, we reduce our school’s emissions, contribution to climate change, and therefore impact on worrying environmental phenomena like coral bleaching. By reducing the amount of plastic we use at school, we minimise our contribution to landfill and limit the likelihood of our plastic ending up in the ocean and damaging marine life.
Term One is going to be jam-packed with reef-friendly events. In March, we’ll be celebrating Clean Up Australia Day (Friday 2nd), Earth Hour (Friday 23rd) and Ride/Walk to School Day (Tuesday 27th), all of which will contribute to our celebration of the Year of the Reef. During April, we’ll be hosting a community screening of the critically acclaimed documentary Chasing Coral. Keep your eyes and ears peeled for more info on these events in the coming weeks!
STUDENTS: If you’re interested in getting involved with SAM or a specific sustainability event, you can contact Bec DeCourcy (Sustainability Officer) on your email, or in the Global Studies office. Otherwise you can flag down Clare Woo (Sustainability Captain) in the corridors!
PARENTS: You can email Bec at [email protected] with any questions or comments about our sustainability events and initiatives for Term 1.
Take a look at http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/about-the-reef if you’re interested in reading more about the health of the Great Barrier Reef.
