UTS educates on climate change with Ripple Effects Australia

UTS School of Built Environment is proud to support the launch of a new project to help inform and involve Australian school children in ongoing discussion and action about the environment and the impacts of climate change.

Fulbright scholar Mary Brydon-Miller, visiting from the University of Louisville, has collaborated with her UTS colleagues Pernille Christensen and Shankar Sankaran to establish a photography contest for students from Years K through 12 called Ripple Effects Australia: Exploring the Impact of Climate Change. The contest aims to increase awareness of this increasingly important and urgent issue.

The contest encourages entrants to submit a photo that ‘reflects how you feel about the natural world near you’, accompanied by a short written reflective piece about the picture. The contest offers an opportunity for children to reflect on what they value in the natural environment and how we might protect it, to express their views on the challenges related to the impact of climate change in their communities, and/or to highlight a program in their community that is making a difference in preserving nature in their community. Entries close 31. August, and a variety of prizes are on offer.

The photography competition is just one activity being undertaken by the team to help school-aged students undertake their own research into climate action. Anyone able to contribute to the team’s work – or who works in a specific field that is affected by, or influencing, climate change, and is willing to lead a presentation and discussion with students – is invited to contact the team for more information.