South West Children's Book about Carbon Storage published in Chinese

The original book, ‘A Day in the Life of a Carbon Atom. Starring: Adom’, was written and illustrated by St Michael’s Catholic Primary School Year 6 and 7 students in 2014.

The Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) sponsored publication of the book in English in 2012, which has since been distributed to local schools, as well as overseas for students in places which have an association with CCS in Europe, Canada and the USA.

As a way to further promote understanding of CCS technology, the book has now been translated and published in Chinese.

DMP’s Co-ordinator Carbon Strategy Dominique Van Gent presented 300 copies of the Chinese edition of the book to 11 Chinese schools in Perth’s Chung Wah Association on November 6.             

The presentation was made during a Chung Wah Reading Day held in Perth which was attended by more than 200 students.

“Chinese language editions of the book ‘A Day in the Life of a Carbon Atom. Starring: Adom’ can be enjoyed by local students and will be valued by the GCCSI which is delivering education programs on CCS in China,” he said.

“I commend the young authors for their ability to understand CCS technology, and then create a wonderful, readable and funny story which can be enjoyed by readers of all ages.

“Please enjoy the Adom book which is a demonstration of children embracing the concept of working towards a low carbon future.

In 2015, a Japanese edition of the book was published and presented to students at a Japanese school in Western Australia, as well as local schools offering Japanese language lessons.

 “St Michael’s School and its students are to be congratulated on writing a book with international appeal,” Mr Van Gent said.

The book tells the story of CCS from the perspective of a carbon atom called Adom. Beginning in an underground coal mine, Adom is mined and travels through an industrial process where he is united with two “hot oxygen atoms” to become carbon dioxide, then he is captured and sent back deep underground for storage.

St Michael’s has opted to teach students about climate science and carbon cycles through a program developed by the CSIRO called Sustainable Futures - CarbonKids.

Twenty one young authors created the story in response to a challenge presented to them by the Global CCS Institute (GCCSI) and CSIRO.

DMP, which manages the South West Hub CCS feasibility project in the Harvey area, sponsored the publication of ‘A Day in the Life of a Carbon Atom. Starring: Adom’ in 2014.

The institute was so impressed with the student’s presentation they requested copies of the book to promote understanding about CCS.

The book has proven popular with students, their teachers and their parents around the world.

Media contact: DMP Communication Manager – Carbon Strategy Beth Ferguson 0408 219 850.