The UWS Communication Arts Students' Blog

Powershift Day One Highlights

uwscommartsstudents — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 10:39:20 +0000

Day one of the three day Powershift event opened with a traditional Aboriginal chant being sung by Uncle Greg Simms to give thanks to the creators of the land and bless the land the event was standing on. In a moving performance, Uncle Simms held the audiences full attention and encouraged their participation through repeating his native words.

A number of significant individuals gave enlightening and encouraging addresses to the audience.

Some of our favourite quotes from day one are as follows:

“Students and young people have been at the forefront of social movements throughout history.. and now it is our time” Anna Rose – Co-founder AYCC

“Our country will never be more committed to social justice than we are. It’s up to us. We are the Powershift that we’ve been waiting for!” Amanada McKenzie – Co-founder AYCC

“I will not be one of those people who stood by and allowed this loss; simply because we couldn’t agree on the ‘why’ and fear was the currency of the day, I believe in more than that” Brooke Satchwell – Actress

“There will be a tsunami of political opinion surrounding green values reflected in political agendas to come” Nathan Rees – NSW Premier

“I’m informing you that it is not too late. We must encourage leaders from around the globe to speak on our behalf at the Copenhagen negotiations this December..” Al Gore – Former US Vice President

“We need to stop building dirty coal powered powerstations” Dr Mark Diesendorf

“I’ve always been fairly passionate about the environment, but I just dont know enough to feel that I can make a difference. This is why I’m at Powershift. So I can figure out what I can do help combat climate change” – Young Powershifter

To view the student filmed and edited video in full, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BSzDgsNikc

No New Coal. Renewable Energy Now!

uwscommartsstudents — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 09:41:09 +0000

This was the message young ”Powershifters” hoped they sent out to the world after a massive flash dance performance.

In order to gain attention from Government’s internationally in the lead up to a UN climate change conference, Powershift participants brainstormed, rehearsed, rehearsed and rehearsed some more during the July 2009 conference. They then got their dancing shoes out to culminate a massive flash dance display at the Sydney Opera House on the final day.

The four minute dance, choreographed by A-Live entertainment was taught to the 400 strong dance troupe over the initial two days of the Powershift conference held at the UWS Parramatta campus. The usually quiet ovals were transformed into a sea of colour and life, with participants learning the routine from former top 20 ‘So you think you can dance’ contestants.

After four rehearsals over two days, the finale took place on the steps of the Sydney Opera House on the final day of the conference. It was an amazing sight with over 400 youth dressed in blue Powershift t-shirts and bright green construction hats, dancing in unison to the tunes of Forever Young, Sweet Dreams by the Eurythmics, Everybody Dance now and What is love. The flash mob attracted much attention from bemused office workers on lunch breaks, as well as tourists visiting the famous landmark.

The full video of the dance, filmed partly by UWS Communication Arts Students can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9S2T5vPHjS8

Words by Sarah Murphy and Melanie Brodie

Powershift 2009 – A summary

uwscommartsstudents — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 09:41:40 +0000

(To be posted on the University of Western Sydney Communication Arts homepage)

July 2009 paved the way for Powershift, Australia’s first national youth climate summit. The three day event which commenced on the 11th of July saw thousands of young Australians flock from all over Australia and New Zealand to the University of Western Sydney’s Parramatta campus to experience, and most of all be a part of this revolutionary event. “Its the moment where our fast growing youth movement for a safe climate future comes together”.

Discussing the topic of the biggest crisis facing our generation; global warming and climate change, day one kicked off with a warm and appreciative welcome to the event from Australian Youth Climate Coalition (AYCC) co-directors Anna Rose and Amanda McKenzie. They spoke of their reasoning behind the establishment of the Powershift event and the significance of the event in the lead up to the December 2009 United Nations Climate Negotiations amongst world leaders and governments in Copenhagen. “If there is any time when our generation must come together and make our voices heard on climate change, it is 2009. Governments must agree to stronger global cuts in emissions”. But Governments will only aim as high as their people demand, hence the need for young people to take part in climate change events such as Powershift.

: The “Powershifter” Tent. Photo by Daryl Orillaza

Tasmanian Greens senator Christine Milne, said at a Powershift press conference that “Australia should have a 40% (carbon emissions reduction) target in Copenhagen”. Milne continued to say that “Nuclear energy is no longer an option”. The government should be looking to support and fund alternatives that would consists of implementing renewable power sources that produce low emissions, such as wind and solar power.

John Hepburn from Greenpeace discussed prior human accomplishments, and drew a comparison between difficulty levels “if we can put people on the moon, we can power our homes with renewable energy” said Hepburn. “Its madness that in 2009 we are digging up some of the best agricultural farmland in Australia to build coal mines” he added.

Despite government officials using “loss of jobs” in the coal industry as a reason against pushing the use of renewable energy sources, Hepburn argues that “the coal industry employs only a fraction of the people who are employed in other areas” and that “studies have shown it is in Australia’s economic interest to take action on climate change”.

: John Hepburn; Greenpeace. Photo by Marley Cook

When the Hon. Mike Rann was elected seven years ago as South Australia’s premier, SA had no wind towers. He shared with the audience present at Powershift his state-wide environmental campaign that has seen South Australia with 56% of the country’s wind power. He warned that “climate change isn’t a future issue, it is a clear and present danger”.

In addition to the speakers named above, a number of other keynote individuals made their “carbon free” mark on the Powershift audience. Such included NSW Premier Nathan Rees, independent South Australian Senator Nick Xenophon, actress Brooke Satchwell, scientist and environmentalist Tim Flannery, Alana Smith from World Vision, young Victorian of the year Dan Adam, Australian UN youth representative Chris Varney and even the ABC Chaser man himself Charles Firth.

: Green Lunch; Rob Purves, Nick Xenophon, Anna Rose, Tim Flannery, Christine Milne. Photo by Pinar Cildiroglu

Day two saw an official press conference, further presentations, training, workshops, band performances and even a green job fair. With the event meticulously planned it sought to truly inspire an informed behavioural change across the country. As many young people see their future imperilled by the policies of their elders, they view the best hope for change being brought about by their own actions.

: Put Your Hands Up! Powershift dance workshop. Photo by Daryl Orillaza

The last and final day of the conference had “Powershifters” in one of the most recognised locations – the Sydney Opera House steps, enact a mass dance routine to highlight the power, energy and creativity of young people. The routine entitled “Flash Dance” was choreographed by the crew from A-live, including dancers from Tap Dogs and top 20 dancers from the last three seasons of “So You Think You Can Dance”. It featured dancing polar bears and koalas, planet costumes, hundreds of kites all to classic tunes such as “Forever Young”, “What is Love” and “Sweet Dreams are Made of This”.

: Powershift! Powershift! Dancers on the Opera House steps. Photo by Pinar Cildiroglu

As a whole, Powershift 2009 brought the youth climate movement together and was a historic event for Australian youth to share best practices, build community, learn skills and solutions, set clear and ambitious plans for action, and pressure our political leaders for stronger climate solutions. It also provided young students from the University of Western Sydney’s School of Communication Arts, undertaking a Bachelor of Communication and Bachelor of Visual Communication an excellent opportunity to implement theoretical skills they have gained in a real life environment.

: UWS Media Team. Photo by Pinar Cildiroglu

For more information about Powershift and AYCC activities see:http://www.youthclimatecoalition.org/about-us/

To view more UWS Communication Arts student work see:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/uwscommartsstudents/

http://uwscommartsstudents.wordpress.com/

http://www.youtube.com/user/UWSCommArtsStudents

http://www.twitter.com/uwscommstudents

Words by Melanie Brodie

Dr Tim Flannery – Scientist, Author, Environmentalist

uwscommartsstudents — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 03:58:00 +0000

Dr Tim Flannery, or just plain old Tim Flannery as he is more commonly referred to is arguably Australia’s best known scientist, environmentalist and best selling author all in one.

He appeared at the first ever PowerShift conference at the University of Western Sydney, Parramatta campus in July 2009 where he expressed his provocative views towards climate change and global warming to the worlds next generation of leaders.

He commenced his address by stating that he felt as though his presence at the conference were under “false pretences” as he knew that in the audience it was likely that there would in fact be the country’s “future prime ministers, future ministers, future leaders of industry, and future leaders of our society”.

Dr. Tim Flannery; Powershift Press Conference July 2009. Photo by Pinar Cildiroglu

“This shift that our society is about to embark upon is a very, very profound shift” says Flannery. As a firm believer of climate change and one who has been warning about its risk for decades, his expertise on the topic has come into its own of late as the nation grows increasingly concerned about what global warming can do to our already dry continent.

His book entitled, “The Weather Makers – How man is changing the climate and what it means for life on earth” has also contributed in bringing the topic of global warning to national prominence.

The 2007 Australian of the Year recipient argues that “although global warming may be inevitable, we need to act now to soften the blow”.

He advised the young people of Australia at the Powershift conference about what they can do to prevent a cataclysmic future with these wise words of encouragement..

“You know more about this issue, you have more at stake in it, than anyone, any of the other people on this platform today. It’s incredibly unfair that our society puts on your shoulders the responsibility for doing something about this at your age, but that is the reality of the situation. Our society has evolved and changed so quickly that you, in a real way, are now the leaders.”

Words by Melanie Brodie

Christine Milne – Australian Greens Senator for Tasmania

uwscommartsstudents — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 04:00:55 +0000

Christine Milne initiated her political career in 1989 when she was elected into State government to represent the Tasmanian House of Assembly for Lyons. Her significance to Australian politics was realised in 1993 when she became the first woman to lead a political party in Tasmania. Leading the Tasmanian Greens for five years through a period of significant reform in the areas of gun control, same-sex relationships and economic reform. Christine Milne who is now a Senator in Federal politics is one who has definitely made her mark in Australian political history.

Being a well identified individual in the “greenie” arena, Christine Milne made an appearance at the PowerShift Conference held by the Australian Youth Climate Change Coalition (AYCC) in July 2009. Held at the University of Western Sydney, Parramatta campus, she addressed the youth of Australia and shared her thoughts with them on how they can act upon the issue of climate change.

Christine Milne; Powershift address July 2009. Photo by Marley Cook

She said “Young people can create change, small groups of ordinary people create revolutions”.

Milne spoke to empower the young people in the crowd and encourage them to create the change they wish to see. She used past examples of how numerous history making, world revolutions have come about due to activist groups driven by young people.

With the Australian government investing thousands of dollars into our education system “We are going from a resource based to a brains based economy – from the old industrial age to an age of sustainability” says Milne.

As nuclear power is one of the worst forms of energy – not being a renewable energy source and not a greenhouse free gas. Milne continued to say that “Nuclear energy is no longer an option”. Better alternatives would ideally be renewable power sources that produce low emissions, such as wind and solar power.

Come December 2009, when world leaders meet in Copenhagen to discuss the issue of climate change, Christine Milne says that “Australia should have a 40% (emissions reduction) target in Copenhagen”.

Words: Melanie Brodie