Walk the Talk

IPMEN has a strong focus on the environment and sustainability. As a result, we are aiming to hold a sustainable conference in 2008 – to “walk the (environmental) talk” so to speak. This commitment can be realized through positive action on two fronts. Firstly, by the IPMEN’08 conference committee making a commitment by the way in which we plan and manage the conference. The second way involves all IPMEN’08 delegates (that’s you) making a personal commitment to walk the talk.

The IPMEN’08 conference committee commitment
The IPMEN’08 conference committee is currently working on the following initiatives. This is a developing concept so additional suggestions and recommendations would be appreciated. Please contact Andrew Vance andrew.vance@mgc.vic.edu.au with your contributions.

A carbon neutral conference: Major events across the globe are aiming to go “carbon neutral” and that’s the aim of the conference committee planning IPMEN’08. If they can do it, so can we!

• The first step will be to conduct a carbon audit on our conference and current plans are to do this with the help of a group called Climate Positive.
• Once we know how much carbon is expected to be used throughout the conference, we will work on offsetting this carbon. One traditional way to offset carbon is to plant trees and that option is possible for IPMEN’08 but we are also exploring a more innovative marine related carbon offset scheme. More information should be posted on this site in April or May.

Limiting consumption: Where do we start?

• Walk: The conference location is in close proximity to many hotel and backpackers options basically eliminating the need for carbon consuming transportation during the conference. For field trips we plan on using busses to help lower carbon emissions.
• The three R’s: Where ever possible we will aim to reuse, recycle and reduce (waste) and encourage our suppliers to do the same. Here are two examples. Firstly, we ask you to bring your own conference bag (you can indicate you will be doing this on your registration form). Secondly, we are working on reducing the use of bottled water at the conference. Two small things but hopefully the start of something significant.
• Eat Locally: We will be aiming to work with the conference caterers and asking them to focuses on local and organic food as much as possible. Again, this cuts our carbon footprint during the conference. In one sense this represents the fourth R – that of rethinking how we all do things.

A personal commitment – ways in which you can help
Here are some suggestions for personal your action. As before, it is early days yet – this is a developing concept so additional suggestions and recommendations would be appreciated. Please contact Andrew Vance andrew.vance@mgc.vic.edu.au with your contributions.

Offset your flight: If you are flying to Townsville it is encouraging that many airlines, in fact most, now offer carbon offset options. The following airlines are just a selection of those around the world. We’re certain that your local airline will offer offsets as well. If you do take the carbon credit option with your flights – please bring the details with you to the conference.

• Scandinavian Airlines • Virgin Blue • Cathay Pacific • Dragon Air • Continental Airlines • Qantas • Virgin Atlantic • Air Canada

• Turn off the lights in your hotel room when you leave for the day.
• Bring your own reusable items: things like a coffee mug and cloth conference bag (you will see that you can tick that one off on the conference registration form).
• Reuse the hotel towels instead of having them laundered every day.
• Make sure to recycle as much as possible. Recyclables in Townsville include glass, plastic bottles numbered 1 through 6, paper, cardboard, and aluminum and steel cans.

After the conference
Most of you are already acutely aware of your personal impact on the environment and so we won’t preach at you. Thankfully there are many resources available to those wishing to bring this level of awareness into the workplace and into local governments. But above all we would like to thank all of you for your education related efforts. Helping others understand their impacts is truly an art.