International spotlight widens on South West carbon capture and storage project
| Date: | Monday, 10 August 2015 |
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A Japanese version of a picture book on carbon capture and storage (CCS) written and illustrated by primary school students from the State’s South West was launched at the weekend.
A Day in the Life of a Carbon Atom, Starring: Adom was translated in Perth and trialed on young Japanese students at Perth’s Japanese Weekend School at City Beach.
Two of the original authors, James DeGrussa and Robert Gatti, joined the Japanese class for the launch.
The book, first published in 2014 is already being used as an educational resource in Australia, the UK and Canada.
Department of Mines and Petroleum Carbon Strategy Coordinator Dominique Van Gent said the original book was developed in 2012 as part of early consultation for the South West Hub project with the aim to help CSIRO expand its Sustainable Futures science education program into regional areas.
He said the book was being used internationally as part of a push by the Global Carbon Capture and Storage Institute to educate young readers about the carbon cycle and sustainable energy.
“It is very rewarding to see the book becoming such an international resource from its humble creation two years ago by 21 Year 6 and 7 students at St Michael's Catholic Primary School in Brunswick Junction,” Mr Van Gent said.
“Watching these young Japanese students quickly understand the complex concept of carbon capture and storage through this story is tremendous.”
Minister for Mine and Petroleum Bill Marmion, who launched the Japanese translated version said the book was an ingeniously simple but effective way of explaining carbon capture and storage.
"Carbon capture and storage technology being pioneered in Western Australia may help Japan to achieve its 2030 target of a 20 per cent reduction in carbon emissions," he said.
"Worldwide, the International Energy Agency estimates CCS could contain up to 13 per cent of global carbon emissions."
The South West Hub project is investigating the potential to permanently store up to 6.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide a year deep underground near Harvey and complements the CSIRO's $48.4 million National Geosequestration Laboratory, opened in Perth last month.
The Japanese version of Adom, was translated by leading Western Australian translator Heather Glass.
Western Australian children’s book translated for Japanese readers
