Powershift Day One Highlights

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.

No New Coal. Renewable Energy Now!

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.

Dr Tim Flannery – Scientist, Author, Environmentalist

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.

South Australia leads the way on wind energy

Image by Pinar Cildiroglu

South Australian Premier Mike Rann is proud of the achievements that his state has attained over the course of his seven year leadership and so he should be. The state is leading the way in renewable energy – when Rann was elected there was no wind towers in South Australia, now the state has 56% of the nations wind power.

Sustainable fashion setting the trend

Image by Daryl Orillaza

Leah Callon-Butler, sales coordinator for solar company Endless Solar understands the difficulties facing young people when it comes to acting on climate change. At youth climate change conference Powershift Leah discussed her passion for educating young people about sustainability with UWS Comm Arts students stating, “you don’t necessarily have to be a home owner or someone with a lot of money to be sustainable”.