Peter Garrett tests the water from the ETC’s solar pump.

United Nations Signs up ETC A letter of intent to develop collaboration between the United Nations Environment Programme International Environmental Technology Centre (UNEP IETC) and the Western Australian Centre of Excellence on Environmental Technology (ETC) based at Murdoch was signed in March. This agreement outlines the terms of their future working relationship towards common goals of developing and promoting environmentally sound technologies across the Asia-Pacific region. The ETC has collaborated with UNEP IETC since its commencement of operations in 1996. UNEP IETC Director, Dr Steve Halls, said that the ETC had already developed cost-effective technologies that could be easily adopted by users.

Peter Garrett, President of the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) and lead singer of Midnight Oil, took time out from his hectic concert schedule to look around the Environmental Technology Centre (ETC) in a recent visit to the Murdoch campus.

Mr Garrett’s visit to the ETC was used to highlight WA’s role at the forefront of global and local action, to promote a sustainable economy and sustainable living. ACF is encouraging industries and government to increase the tempo of environmental reform.

Mr Garrett said: “The role of environment issues in the recent election shows clearly there has been a dramatic shift in public attitudes. Western Australians have made it very clear that a wholehearted movement to ecological sustainability should be a high priority for this government.

“Sustainability includes reducing the amount of energy, water and material we consume by 50-90 per cent. Cutting edge reports and studies show that while this seems a terrific task, it does not mean a reduction in the quality of life.

“ACF believes WA has all the right skills and knowledge to make a big impact in the new sustainability economy. Switching to sustainability offers WA an exciting opportunity to build our local economy on the development of environmental technology and expertise for implementation here and also for export.”

While in WA, Mr Garrett also launched Environment House, ACF’s new campaign centre in Maylands and met with Ministers in the Gallop Government to explain ACF’s Blueprint for a Sustainable Australia.