Address to Parliament by Libby Coker MP on 26th September 2022:

I'm running a schools climate project for students in my region for the second year in a row. The Corangamite Schools Climate Change Challenge is a project that started in 2021 to help schools to monitor and reduce their carbon emissions. I'm already impressed by the passionate enthusiasm of many primary and secondary students in this year's challenge, across some 15 schools. The challenge is also about raising awareness within the broader community about the impact excessive carbon emissions are having on our planet.

Recently, I visited Oberon High School in Armstrong Creek, where students are examining the environmental benefits of recycling clothing for the challenge. They're focusing on reducing the amount of clothing going into landfill. Among other ideas, they're running a second-hand clothing fashion parade to promote recycling. Students are also learning to collect data on energy use in their schools and communities, and to calculate how many tonnes of CO2 they can save if they implement simple measures like Oberon's clothing recycling project.

The climate challenge is a great way to integrate climate learning into subjects like maths, science, English, communications, art and design. Importantly, it gives students the opportunity to feel empowered to take action on climate change. It is something we want all in our community to do. I look forward to acknowledging the efforts at the upcoming awards celebration.