In support of Earth Hour 2017, this Friday FUSA and Flinders will show documentaries in the Plaza highlighting the impacts of global warming on the places we love, including the Great Barrier Reef – and how it affects the future of Aussie food.

Flinders Sustainability Officer Mathew Jeffrey said the University is continuously capitalising on opportunities to reduce the amount of energy it uses, implementing renewable technologies and reducing reliance on the main energy grid.

“Our Tonsley and Student Hub are great examples,” he said. “Tonsley was designed to achieve a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to a standard equivalent building and after a 12 month period of monitoring showed a 48% reduction.

“The Student Hub also has serious sustainability credentials, with the Union building being retained (and updated) and added to with a naturally ventilated space including louvres, ceiling fan and a 400 panel solar PV system on the roof.”

In 2014, the upgrade of the Law and Commerce building resulted in a 40% reduction in the building’s energy demand and a 60% reduction in reliance on the main energy grid (with addition of 260 solar panels).

Flinders University Environment Officer Jacinta Robinson says Earth Hour is a time for the community to come together and “switch off”.

“It may seem like a small act, but it is a way in which we can signify that we are aware of what is occurring in our environment and that we are working to reduce the impacts of climate change and create a more environmentally-friendly future for ourselves,” she said.

“As students, global issues like climate change can seem overwhelming, but it is important to remember that every effort counts and there are small things we can do in our everyday lives to improve these issues.”

Flinders’ aspiration to maintain low-carbon campuses, which provide environmental, economic and social benefits to our community, has the University looking at improvements which can be made at a campus, building and office level.

Everyone can contribute to reducing Flinders’ emissions and energy consumption.

Here are some things you can do to help:

• When leaving for the day, turn off monitors and put computers into ‘sleep’ mode
• When offices are not in use, switch off lights and air conditioning, and any specialty research equipment which isn’t required.
• If you use fume hoods, ensure the sash is at the appropriate height for use.  When in operation fume hoods use a significant amount of energy.  Ensuring the sash is at the appropriate height prevents energy waste.
• Report any energy savings opportunities through the Buildings and Property Request System (BPRS)