Global Climate Change Week – Wollongong

Global Climate Change Week runs from 16 to 20 October 2023. Pioneered right here at the University of Wollongong, the week aims to raise awareness, inspire behaviour change, and drive transformation in relation to climate policy.

Here are four ways everyone can get involved:

1. Hire a home energy efficiency kit

To coincide with Global Climate Change Week, our libraries have unveiled a set of home energy efficiency kits to help residents save money and cut emissions.

The kits, available to book and borrow from the city’s seven library branches, each include a water flow measuring cup, light energy meter, traditional thermometer, and a non-contact thermometer.

2. Provide feedback on our draft plan to tackle climate change

Our draft Climate Change Mitigation Plan 2023-2030 outlines a whole-of-community approach to reducing local greenhouse gas emissions in Wollongong. This isn’t a council plan, it’s a plan for everyone who lives or works in Wollongong, and those who visit our region.

During Global Climate Change Week, take the time to view the draft Plan and provide your feedback via the online engagement hub or in-person on 17 October 2023 at the drop-in session in Port Kembla.

3. Take a self-guided koala tree walk

Take an all-ages, self-guided koala walk around the Wollongong Botanic Garden and learn about the impact of climate change on these cuddly creatures and the trees essential to their survival.

It is estimated that millions of koalas were in Australia when the first Europeans arrived, but numbers today are as low as 80,000 or less. Some of us only see them as roadkill. Busy roads and koalas don’t mix but climate change is an even bigger threat to koala survival. With increased occurrence of bushfires and loss of habitat, this national treasure is even more vulnerable than ever.

4. Attend Connecting Over Fair Food on 18 Oct

Join Food Fairness Illawarra for an inspiring and encouraging evening to explore how to make our food system more sustainable and resilient. This year’s theme is Know, Share, Grow and our focus is on the steps we can take as a community. From making food choices that improve both our health and that of our food system, to not letting sustainable habits fall by the wayside, we all have a role to play! See details and book.

More activities for UOW students:

• GCCW Day on Campus – 18 Oct
• Tour the SBRC and Desert Rose House – 19 Oct
• Antarctic biodiversity modelling with uncertainty quantification – 19 Oct
• Op Shop Ball – 20 Oct