Carbon Innovators Network (CIN) Member Interview

In this issue, Carbon Matters introduces CIN member Scott McKenry.

Scott has been working at the National Centre for Sustainability at the Swinburne University of Technology for two years now as Team Leader in Business and Community Engagement. The work of the Centre is aimed at environmental sustainability, with a strong focus on education.

1. How do you get around?
I usually use my bike and public transport.

2. What was the moment or experience that started your focus on climate change/ sustainability/ the environment?
I've always been a bit of a nature worshipper even from when I was a kid; I was always totally fascinated by documentaries such as Attenborough. I've always loved being outdoors, so working for the environment was always an appealing thing for me. And, I remember one of my friend's dads was an environmental scientist. I found the work that he did really interesting and intriguing, which got me thinking about that sort of career path back even when I was in high school.

I did environmental science at RMIT and went on to do my honours in environmental chemistry and did my honours thesis in clean coal technology, which I can assure you is an oxymoron. When I saw the job advertised at Swinburne University a couple of years ago it seemed to be a good match to my experience and interests; it had a bit of the consulting, environmental, and training aspects. It has been a good move.

3. What sustainable choice or initiative have you recently made in which you are most proud or found most rewarding? What more do you seek to accomplish?
Recently I've moved into a deceased estate when I moved house, which has been quite challenging. I've been doing things to slowly upgrade the property by making it more 'green' with insulation, solar hot water tank, etc.

It's been quite rewarding because it's something I haven't been able to do before because for the last 10 years I was always in a share-house and renting. Now that I'm living by myself I do realise my ecological footprint has probably increased, because I have a whole house and I'm there by myself. But it's certainly been a refreshing change, to be able to think about what I can do the house to make it more sustainable.

4. What are some of the biggest challenges you face, either at work or in personal pursuits, when addressing climate change/ sustainability/ the environment?
There are lots of perverse incentives in society to promote us to behave in the wrong way; that is frustrating sometimes. For example, someone was telling me recently they wanted to drive their car so they could get their kilometres up for the fringe benefits. I'm so frustrated by this whole concept. I think some of those perverse incentives and structures that are in place are the biggest challenges that we all face when addressing the issues of climate change and the environment, like rewards cards, frequent flyer miles, things that promote undesirable behaviour.

5. What would you ideally like to see happen in the next few years concerning the environment?
I'd like to see some really strong targets in the CPRS that perhaps force people to change their behaviour. I've got a feeling the government wont take a strong enough stance in relation to setting targets that will force a strong enough price signal down to the consumer and I think it will take something like our beaches starting to disappear before people will change behaviour. Sorry if that sounds a little doom and gloom!

Ideally what I'd like to see, is people change their behaviour without a price signal, perhaps without it being the first thought 'the dollars in their wallet' appose to 'the health of the environment for their children'.

6. If you could have everybody change one thing that they do, what would it be?
If everyone was going to change what they do, perhaps think about the choices that they make on an everyday basis. I think we are bombarded with choices, the minute you get up you're faced with: should I have a really hot shower or just a warm shower, should I be using UHT milk or some other milk on my cereal, do I need to have a hot breakfast can I have a cold breakfast, do I need to have the heater on for the half hour before I leave the house or can I just put something else warmer on, etc, etc. I would like for people to think about the things that underpin every action every day.

7. What is a less sustainable choice that you are not so proud of a.k.a. your non-environmentally friendly vice?
Imported beer or imported wine. I guess the whole idea of the amount of embodied water in some of my more favourite beverages is kind of disturbing and the embodied energy in the glass packaging. That's probably what I'm not so proud of.

8. Who is your environmental hero?
There is no clear winner here, to tell you the truth, this might sound a bit dorky, Arnold Schwarzenegger (or probably the people helping him do his job, I'm not sure). California is a great example as far as their infrastructure around renewables and I think 'Arni' has been one of the real drivers of that. Other than that, maybe Captain Planet?!?!?

9. What's your favourite place or ecosystem?
I'd probably have to say the most incredible nature experience I've had is at the bottom of Iguaçu falls on the boarder of Brazil and Argentina.

10. What's your favourite movie?
If I have to name one, Ferris Bueller's Day Off. I rented it on video for my eleventh birthday and didn't take it back to the video store for weeks; I must have watched it at least 10 times before I took it back.

If you're a member and would like to be interviewed for Carbon Matters please email: carbon.innovators@epa.vic.gov.au