ORGANISATION
ACCESS TO A BETTER PLANET WE TAKE A LOOK AT HOW A LOCAL ORGANISATION IS MAKING THE EARTH A HEALTHIER PLACE. By: Mukosi Fulu
Why is planet earth the only known planet in the cosmos that supports life? The Alliance and Collaboration for Climate and Earth Systems Science (ACCESS) function primarily on research and educating students in and around South Africa about questions like this. So many things had to go right for you and me to exist. The earth had to be located at the right position, tilted on its axis – that way, we have variable seasons that means we don't get scorched by the sun or freeze. Adding to that, the earth is equipped with many systems that regulate the climate to support life. The study of these systems is called Earth Systems Science. This is the science behind ACCESS's existence. With depleting natural resources, understanding our climatic history and modelling our future can help us make better decisions and changes regarding our use of the available resources. It is a crucial study in understanding climate change. In its education programme, ACCESS deconstructs the science and makes it accessible to people from different educational backgrounds through fun and immersive lessons reinforced by field trips. As Dr Carl Palmer, the education and training national portfolio manager of ACCESS says: "I don’t believe science is hard; it's just been taught poorly for many years". He makes sure he facilitates his lessons with that goal in mind, teaching science in it's simplicity. 22
Science Stars Energy Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za
