What is Green Your Study Abroad?  Quite simply it is CIS’s commitment to minimize our environmental impact on the planet. Most everything we do emits carbon dioxide into the atmosphere: driving, flying, heating and cooling our homes, and watching TV. The carbon dioxide emissions caused by our actions are warming the Earth’s climate and will have catastrophic results if we do not act now.  

So what can CIS and you do to help to alleviate this potentially devastating issue?  

For starters, as part of your CIS study abroad program, we have partnered with industry leading Carbonfund.org to offset the carbon dioxide emitted from your flight to Australia. Carbon offsetting means neutralizing the negative impact of the carbon dioxide produced from energy-using activities (called your “carbon footprint”) through participating in positive measures that reduce this carbon dioxide, such as renewable energy, energy efficiency, and reforestation. The offset of all CIS program participant flights will reduce more than 2,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually. That’s like taking 200 Hummers off of the road!

Now, what can you do?  We’ve broken it down for you into three simple areas that can be easily achieved during your experience abroad in Australia.

1. Be aware
2. Minimize your carbon footprint
3. Volunteer

Be aware of the environmental issues facing Australia
Australia is facing the worst drought in its history. Water reservoirs are down and farmland and forests are arid. On the East Coast, pollution of marine habitat, overfishing, and overuse of delicate coral reef areas are of utmost concern.

Minimize your footprint

• bring a reusable water bottle rather than buying water in disposable bottles
• take 4 minute showers, don’t run the water while washing dishes, turn off taps
• use the recycle bins – Australia has wonderful recycling programs!
• don’t litter, put trash where it belongs. Be extra good; pick up the litter of others
• walk, bike, or use public transportation
• don’t light camp fires in parks during Bushfire season and don’t throw butts

Volunteer!
There’s no better way to make a positive impact on the environment, work with local people on global issues, see sites off the beaten path, and build your resume!  Once you have been accepted to a CIS program, we will send you more detailed information about the organizations and efforts that you can take part in while you are studying abroad at Macquarie University.

To learn more about what other steps CIS is taking as an organization to minimize its impact on the environment, click here