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Taiwan and Australia : Positive Collaboration Developing Shared Vision for Climate Change Action
Students from the Affiliated HS Chung-Hsing University today collaborated with Wilderness School students in Australia to share their Action, Policy and Awareness of Global Climate Change. This was a positive international relationship demonstrating to students that the compassion and concern they have for the environment is a united one. Wilderness students heard from Taiwanese students that Nuclear power stations thermal effluent was heating ocean water and that turtle nesting sites were being negatively affected. Likewise Wilderness girls shared their concern for thermal effluent being released into the Port Adelaide Estuary from a gas fired power station and its impact on Mangrove forests, local ecology and resident dolphin population. In addition Taiwan shared their bilateral collaboration with Africa and Hong Kong with the Wilderness girls.
Students were united to brainstorm actions both they and governments could take to help eliminate or at least reduce the impact of rising CO2 levels within the atmosphere. Students suggested actions they could take using social media, at school and those that could be adopted by government. Students adopted ideas implemented in their own nations to further promote awareness of climate change. Australia shared their current action plan which included visiting the area which is most impacted (Port Adelaide River Estuary), hosting the federal minister for climate change Hon. Mark Butler, and conversing with scientist Dr. Mike Bossley marine biologist. Whilst, Taiwan shared their work on raising awareness through an ecological footprint quiz. The hard work conducted by the Taiwanese distilled the key issues of climate change within a survey that can be electronically shared via social media. The Australians will further their work by disseminating it to an Australian audience. Both countries now look forward to working on their submissions for the white paper. Thank You Taiwan for a fabulous bilateral collaboration.
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3 Comment(s)
This extent of collaboration and effort really impressed me. I am curious to read and see the results of Taiwanese quiz and report. I am also very curious to know what would be the most effective energy sources for the future of Taiwan and Australia in order to lead us to decarbonization!
The environmental problems faced by many countries definitely overlap, as you both have seen! This is why global collaborations can be useful for coming up with new solutions/ plans of action to old problems. It's wonderful to see that the collaboration was so fruitful and students were so involved. Australia's action plan is a very great start into delving further into environmental issues. I would encourage Taiwan to try and connect with local scientists or environmental officials to learn more about local issues. Great work Taiwan & Australia!!
The international collaboration between Australia and Taiwan was indeed a successful and fruitful one! Thank you Australia for such an outstanding job! Students in Taiwan have put forth long hours after school and on weekends to organize and synthesize this report. Your excellent efforts have made the entire collaboration rewarding, effective, and worthwhile! :)
by Meimei Mary Shih
lead teacher of Affiliated High School of Chung-Hsing University, Taiwan
Masoud Shabestary (Ualberta Mentor)
Nov 13, 2015