Schools undertake carbon audits

By Marc Membrere 13 May 2021, 11:10AM

Audits of global warming causing carbon dioxide emissions have been conducted in schools across Savaii as part of the "Future of the Green Pacific" project.

The project is being conducted by Lanulau'ava Student Association, a student association at the National University of Samoa (N.U.S.) launched in October last year. 

Its objective is to raise environmental awareness as well as educate, protect and conserve the land, culture, and the ocean.

The Future of the Green Pacific Project started in March and has enabled students to find out more about the causes of climate change.  

The project was launched this March at the Tanoa Tusitala Hotel and was attended by students from Savaii and Upolu and members of the Lanulau'ava Student Association.

Members of Lanulau'ava had visited Mataevave College, Tuasivi College, Itu-o-Tane College, Alofi-o-Taoa College and Savaii Sisifo College.

The visits came after the association held its own carbon audit at the N.U.S which opened the eyes of the President to the pressing need to implement carbon audits within academic institutions, especially with those in the rural areas and in Savai'i.

In a telephone interview with the Samoa Observer on Wednesday morning, the President of the Lanulau'ava Student Association explained some of the project’s successes.

Ms. Ah Young said that they noticed in rural schools what took up most of the electricity were not big things such as air conditioning systems (often units were broken or not on all day) that contributed mostly to carbon emissions. 

She explained the findings showed that students’ behaviour as leaving plugs or lights turned on despite it being daylight was a major contributor. 

Five girls represented each school at the project launch. 

Ms. Ah Young stated that the five girls that they taught had advised their own teachers and schools how proper behaviour leads to saving money.

"Because saving electricity means saving money," she said.

She said the students are now teaching their classes what they have learned

She also stated that during their project in Savai’i, they had taken 20 trees and planted them there in schools - now known as “friendship trees”. 

 



By Marc Membrere 13 May 2021, 11:10AM

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