Energymark is social science in action! The CSIRO program studying community engagement is a huge success in NSW where people have cut their carbon footprint by up to 27 percent. It is currently being rolled out in Brisbane and the Redlands. They have 25 convenors in Brisbane and another three in the Redlands. Here is a post by the Energymark project manager Yasmin van Kasteren who is based in Brisbane. She has prepared a special BSN online activity to demonstrate the survey process used in social research. Can you read the graphs? 

 Take this survey to see how the questionnaire works. 

Yasmin van Kasteren

Science into Society researcher :

Working together on a school project is often more fun than working alone.

You can enjoy yourself and learn at the same time.

Working together you can share what you know, and you couldn’t want to let your group down, so you make sure you do your bit. 

These are the principles behind a program I am running called Energymark.

Energymark is all about learning about climate change, and the relationship between climate change and energy, the fun way.

We are asking adults across Brisbane to volunteer as a convenor, and then get a group of their friends together to meet once a month, read the through information prepared by CSIRO, and then come together to discuss what they have learnt and how they can change their lives to help fight climate change.

Sound like hard work? It’s actually fun and, like doing a project with friends, it’s an enjoyable way to learn about climate change and to start making a difference.

Research shows that although a lot of people are concerned about climate change this is not translating into real changes in their lifestyles. Given the sheer scale of climate change as an issue, many people don’t know where to begin.  It’s often easier to just tune out when they hear the words climate change.

Energymark is just one of many ways the CSIRO is trying to get the message across.

Energymark is also a research program, using questionnaires, we measure changes in participant’ carbon footprint, electricity use, and they feel about climate change, at the beginning of the program and at the end, so that we can measure the change and see if the program is working.

 Take this survey to see how the questionnaire works. 

In the Newcastle Energymark trial in 2008-2009, we had 171 people go through the program. 

People reduced their power bills by an average of 37 per cent and their carbon footprints by 27 per cent. The program was very effective in changing behaviour.

I personally find it very satisfying to be making a difference through my work, especially in such an important area. 

I am a social scientist working for the CSIRO as part of the Science into Society unit based at Pullenvale, just outside of Brisbane. 

We are dedicated to engaging with business, industry and the community to understand the social issues particularly surrounding climate change and the adoption of new technology.

Yasmin

Energymark Project Manager