Athletes pitch for energy switch
TOP sports stars and entertainers have backed a push to ditch gas in favour of clean, green electric power for Australian homes.
Test cricket captain Pat Cummins is among nine stars to put their names to Australian engineer and inventor Saul Griffith’s electrification blueprint, The Big Switch.
Each of the stars has read a chapter for a new audiobook version of the book, which provides a guide for Australia to reduce emissions while saving on energy bills.
“I’m passionate about solving climate change, because I care about the future of my kids and also believe here in Australia a lot of the answers to the questions are right here in front of us,” Cummins said.
Joining him were fellow cricketer Rachael Haynes, AFL aces Tom Hickey and Nicola Barr, rugby champion Alicia Lucas, professional surfer Ace Buchan, actor Yael Stone, and former Greens leader Christine Milne.
The book suggests steps including taking advantage of Australia’s abundant solar power by swapping out gas cooktops, gas hot water, gas heating and combustion engine cars with electrified versions such as induction stoves, electric space heating and electric vehicles.
Dr Griffith, an inventor and innovation guru, was born in Sydney and became a Silicon Valley tech entrepreneur, adviser to the US government on electrification and project partner with NASA.
Last year, he founded advocacy group Rewiring Australia – an inaugural study that found spending $12bn over five years to electrify Australian homes and vehicles would reap
$300bn in household savings by 2035.
The group hopes this year to identify towns and suburbs most committed to getting off gas and help them realise their ambitions, with the aim of developing a pilot program and world-first example of full electrification.
“Decarbonising our homes and suburbs is not rocket science. We have all the technology available. All it really requires is some practical Aussie knowledge and a bit of elbow grease to get the job done,” Dr Griffith said.
“We need to jump on this opportunity now.”
Orange is the New Black star Yael Stone has passionately adopted the cause of reducing emissions in her own life as well as using her public profile to push for change.
“In 2019 I changed everything in my life to be able to work more solidly towards positive, active climate change solutions and Saul’s books have been important in that,” she said.
“I feel really lucky to be able to read his words.
“Climate change is a big, bold problem and The Big Switch is offering us a big bold solution.”