2016-07-01
Greens Deputy Qld Senator Larissa Waters today outlined how the Greens’ $192 million national plan to roll out solar on schools would help Sunshine Coast schools to power air-conditioning.
“While it’s too chilly to think about air-conditioning at the moment, in the height of summer many Queensland classrooms swelter without air-conditioning,” Senator Waters said.
“The state government only provides air-conditioning in schools in northern and western Queensland, even though we know how hot it can get here on the Sunshine Coast.
“We can ensure a cool, calm environment for students to learn in through federal government investment in solar panels to reduce the cost of running air-conditioning and through federal grants for energy efficiency and classroom retrofits.
“Even in winter, efficient reverse-cycle air conditioners, insulation and double glazing can help keep classrooms warm and help students concentrate.
“We Greens will use our numbers in the federal Parliament to push for the national roll-out of the successful Tasmanian sustainable schools program run by former Greens Schools Minister, Senator Nick McKim.
“Grant funding of $192 million would be available for schools federally to invest in solar panels, energy efficiency measures and retrofits that will save schools money that can be re-invested back into classrooms,” Senator Waters said.
Greens Candidate for Fisher, Tony Gibson, said:
“Our Sustainable Schools program is part of our national plan to achieve solar on every roof, including by reforming laws to make it easier for renters to install solar and by promoting programs that offer solar at no up-front cost.
“Our solar plans are part of our fully costed, balanced budget of policies, which are funded by raising revenue from the big end of town, including by ending the $24 billion in taxpayer-funded subsidies that go to the fossil fuel sector,” Mr Gibson said.
Greens Candidate for Fairfax, Sue Etheridge, said:
“We will feel the impacts of global warming here on the Sunshine Coast, including in the form of hotter summers, and it’s important our schools are equipped to deal with sweltering school days that can impact learning.
“Each school would receive $20,000 in grants to be spent on rooftop solar or energy efficiency which will save money in the long term.
“While we’re already dealing with the impacts of global warming, we can stop the worst impacts by transitioning away from dying fossil fuel industries and moving into a clean-energy jobs boom, with training for workers losing their jobs in the coal industry,” Ms Etheridge said.
Contacts:
Senator Waters (Monique Vandeleur) 0419 626 725
Greens candidates (Ben Pennings) 0418 164 014