Making Canberra a carbon neutral capital is a key focus for the Switch to Green Expo and Conference to be held at the National Convention Centre on 4-5 April 2008.

The Switch to Green will be opened by Jon Stanhope, Chief Minister of the ACT Government and co-hosted by United Nations Association of Australia (UNAA), the ACT Government, Canberra Business Council, the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) and the Conservation Council.

The distinct perspectives of the five co-hosts will create a comprehensive approach to ensure the ACT region is a ‘green leader’ in climate change action. “UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon reminded the international community in Bali late last year that Climate change... is the moral challenge of our generation and succeeding generations depend on us; we cannot rob our children of their future,” said Russell Rollason, President of the UNAA (ACT) in announcing the Switch to Green.

“Closer to home, a Treasury alert to Prime Minister, Mr Kevin Rudd identified climate change as ‘the single most pressing environmental, economic and social challenge this country faces’. Urgent action to reduce carbon emissions is needed at all levels internationally and in Australia, and this event will provide a critical opportunity to identify what we can do now in the ACT and surrounding region”, Mr Rollason added.

“There is a high level of awareness in the community that the climate is changing but also frustration and confusion over what could or should be done and what individuals can do.

Resolving the problem should not be the responsibility of any one sector in the community. The problem is shared and so too must be the solution. This is why the ‘Switch to Green Expo & Conference’ should be supported,” said Mr. Stanhope, Chief Minister, ACT Government.

Conference Speakers

The diverse program features outstanding international and national keynote speakers, representing perspectives that are poles apart. From the business sector, Dr David Mills, Founder & Chairman of Californian based Ausra, one of the world’s largest solar companies, is joined by entrepreneur Katie Patrick, CEO/Founder of Green Pages Australia, the country’s leading eco directory and Molly Harriss Olson, Director of EcoFutures, an Australian-based international policy firm.

From the community perspective, Trish Harrup, community campaigner and director of the Conservation Council.

From the scientific world, Dr Penny Whetton, Stream leader for Climate Impacts and Risk, CSIRO, Professor Will Steffen, Director of the Institute for Environment, ANU and Dr Peter Newman, Curtin University, Author of Sustainability and Cities: Overcoming Automobile Dependence and international authority on sustainable cities.

The Topics

Topics covered will include how we can shape climate friendly cities; a look at life, work and travel in the next decade; how solar energy can make a contribution to reducing carbon emissions; the ACT Government’s climate change strategy, “Weathering the Change”, which sets carbon neutral targets for government buildings and ACT schools and a renewable energy target for Canberra; Australia’s responsibility to adopt global targets and the potential impact of climate change on low income Australians.

The Switch to Green Expo

The parallel Expo is a “one-stop-shop” showcasing products designed for a greener and sustainable future in four specific areas: home, work, travel and community. Each of the exhibitors has been assessed for best practice against the ‘Switch to Green’ criteria, developed with and endorsed by the green industry experts – Green Pages Australia.

As part of the Expo program, there will be interactive workshops, seminars and demonstrations how to take action today. ‘Working with solar as a community’ by the community based organisation SEE-Change, ‘Making your home sustainable’ by Derek Wrigley, author of the book by the same title, and ‘What you can do now’ by the Home Energy Advice Team, are some of the topics that will be addressed.

Other highlights include:

• A Switch to Green Business and Community Award

• Welcome Green Cocktail • Switch to Green - Model ‘green’ event

• Gala dinner with VIP’s and special guests Everyone taking part in Switch to Green will be encouraged to offset their participation and help make it a Climate Friendly™ event.