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MSI moves to a greener environment

20 February 2008

Monash Sustainability Institute Director, Professor Dave Griggs, welcomes the Institute's move to a more eco-friendly building.

Monash Sustainability Institute (MSI) has kicked off 2008 by relocating into a building at the Monash Science Centre that was specially renovated to make it environmentally sustainable.

MSI relocated into the centre, which is at the Clayton campus, from another building at the Clayton campus.

Each step of the renovation and relocation was carefully considered to ensure that it could be carried out in a sustainable way. MSI kept the existing floor coverings at their new home and used second-hand furniture. Ceiling fans were installed to negate the need for airconditioning and wall panelling was produced from recycled soft-drink bottles.

"The move to our new location fits in extremely well with the Institute's philosophy and projects the correct image, allowing us to lead by example," said MSI Director, Professor Dave Griggs.

"The Science Centre has welcomed us warmly and the move has been an extremely positive experience for MSI."

Professor Griggs revealed that he has had a great time since joining MSI as Director five months ago, after relocating from the UK where he was Director of the highly-respected Met Office Hadley Centre, the UK's official centre for climate change research.

"I definitely arrived at the right time," Professor Griggs said. "The change of government and the increased awareness of the need for sustainable solutions have made this a very exciting time. There is so much we can do. Our only challenge is finding the time to accomplish everything that we would like to."

MSI has three main focuses throughout 2008: research, education and implementation.

"In regard to research, we will bring together interdisciplinary teams to look at questions relating to sustainability, such as climate, energy, water, transport and biodiversity," Professor Griggs said.

"Another of our goals is to embed attention to sustainability throughout the curriculum at Monash, so that we help to develop environmentally responsible citizens as graduates."

Professor Griggs sees MSI as a driving force in the implementation of sustainable practices at Monash.

"MSI will play a strong role in making Monash campuses more sustainable, so that as a community we can achieve our goals of reducing our energy consumption by 20 per cent by 2010, managing our waste and water consumption and improving public transport to our campuses," he said.

To help him in his quest, Professor Griggs is looking for researchers throughout Monash who are interested in sustainability.
"Our expertise lies in putting research teams together," explained Griggs. "MSI is interested in facilitating research in all aspects of sustainability such as science, technology, economics, social and institutional. Please contact MSI if you are looking for other researchers to work with in this area. "

For more information on MSI please call: +61 3 9905 9323 or email: enquiries@msi.monash.edu.au.