Environment Department

BY JAMES HALEY

As we move into the 2020s, we are entering into a critical decade for climate action. Recognising this, the Guild’s Environment Department worked hard throughout 2021 towards coalition building with various stakeholders, support of local and national campaigns, and events that lead to direct action.

At the 2021 O-Day we built on a strong network of students who were passionate about climate action on campus. Following this, we opened the year with a catered panel and networking night in order to strengthen ties between UWA and external climate action groups such as 350 Boorloo Perth, Climate Council of WA, and Clean State. We continued our momentum by running a very successful Enviro Week in Semester 1, with 17 events including a screening of WA Forest Alliance’s “Cry of the Forests” movie, Treevia Quiz Night, and even Netwalking in King’s Park.

Meanwhile, our discussions with staff members led to the first ever Student Climate Forum in order to make transparent students’ ideas, visions and concerns about what UWA should/could look like as we move into this critical decade. After seeking student input, we were able to present their feedback to the ‘Academic Board Collegial Conversation for Climate Change’ in July. This event was key to our mission as the Environment Department because we saw a need to establish a greater dialogue between University management and students who want to get involved and have a voice in deciding what the University looks like in the future. As we moved into Semester 2 we began planning for the Environment Department’s biggest EnviroFest yet. Events from the sub-committees continued keeping engagement high throughout the climate community. One of our project teams, the Sustainable Development Awards, ran a very successful panel discussion featuring individuals such as the UWA Chancellor, The Hon. Robert French AC and Greens Senator, The Hon. Dorinda Cox. While our events and collaborations continued throughout the semester, we worked to build the climate community and to use social media to form groups that could volunteer and assist with the Stop Scarborough Gas campaign (by 350 Boorloo Perth) and the UWA Divestment Campaign (by Fossil Free UWA).

We closed the majority of our events this year with the biggest EnviroFest to date, which featured 3 local bands, food trucks and 17 stalls. While our events have finished for the year we are still working hard behind the scenes to continue the dialogue around what UWA’s role is this decade and working closely with staff to ensure it is an institution that is a leader in sustainability.