Winner 

Every Parp Helps by Grantt Taylor and Heather Poore

“We decided to make a quick quirky film involving my little cousin nancy to attempt to express the idea of the youth being able to invent solutions to every day climate problems. We both like the idea of children being educated an encourage to make a difference. And out amusing film might provide some comic relief.”

Runner-up

We Are Super Volcano by Edward Bateman

“It is very easy to fall into the trap of thinking that tiny little “us” cannot possibly be having such a large impact on CO2 concentrations. This video compares human emissions to one of the most powerful and awe inspiring natural forces, volcanoes, to demonstrate just how flawed that mind-frame is.”

Shortlisted Videos

All Shortlisted videos can be found here 

On the evening of the 4^th of March a very special guest brought the spirit of Climate Week 2013 to Imperial College. Prof. Girardet who is the co-founder of the World Future Council, recipient of UN Global 500 Award ‘for outstanding environmental achievements’ and currently works as senior sustainability advisor to the Saudi Sustainability Initiative introduced the idea of a modern “Ecopolis”. Drawing on von Thünen’s famous model of 19th century human settlements Prof. Girardet illustrated strategies for environmentally enhancing, restorative relationships between the cities of the future and the ecosystems  from which they draw their resources. Sustainable cities are not enough; future cities need to be regenerative!

The picturesque presentation was attended by a broad audience varying from young Royal School of Arts architects to senior Grantham Institute researchers. After an engaging Q&A session the lively discussions about human nature and the feasibility of cities restoring their hinterlands were continued over snacks and wine.

Create a short film or advertisement video that encourages green practices to win from £500 worth of prizes.

• Submit entries to icenergysoc@gmail.com by the 5th of March 2013 (or send www.wetransfer.com link).
• Entries should be between 30-100 seconds long. Although longer entries may be accepted, we encourage shorter films. Short films must be strictly less than five minutes. Advertisement videos must not be more than 1 minute.
• Of course it is now very easy to film using mobile phones and edit your film with windows movie maker and other free software.
• International or UK submissions accepted.
• Team and individual entries allowed. Entries must be original.
• Language and themes must be appropriate for general audiences.

Screening and judging of entries will be done on 8th March 2013 in Chem Eng LT2, South Kensington Campus. To attend, register here http://filmcompetition.eventbrite.com/

After the screening of selected competition entries, we will be showing the much acclaimed feature film “The Age of stupid”.

In this lecture, Professor Girardet will “suggest that in an urbanising world, cities need to engage in renewable energy development and in restoring the damaged ecosystems on whose health we ultimately depend. We can no longer depend on sustainable cities, but need to develop ones which actively regenerate.” From “Petropolis” to “Ecopolis”; drawing on von Thünen’s famous model of 19th century human settlements Prof. Girardet illustrates strategies for environmentally enhancing, restorative relationships between the cities of the future and the ecosystems from which they draw their resources.

Biography:

Professor Herbert Girardet is an author, film maker and international consultant. He is a co-founder, honorary member and former program director of the World Future Council. He developed sustainability strategies for London, Vienna and Bristol. In 2003 he was inaugural ‘Thinker in Residence’ in Adelaide, defining eco-development strategies for South Australia which have since been implemented. Herbert is visiting professor at University of the West of England, chairman of the Schumacher Society, UK, and a member of the World Academy of Art and Science. He is a recipient of a UN ‘Global 500 Award for Outstanding Environmental Achievements’.

Professor Herbert has produced 50 TV documentaries on environmental topics. He is author and co-author of 12 books, including: Blueprint for a Green Planet, 1986; Earthrise, 1992: The Gaia Atlas of Cities, 1992 and 1996; CITIES, PEOPLE, PLANET – Urban Development and Climate Change, 2004 and 2008; A RENEWABLE WORLD – Energy, Ecology, Equality, 2009. His report REGENERATIVE CITIES was published in 2011. His books have been widely translated. He has also written many other reports and chapters for books. He has lectured in over 30 countries. He is currently working as senior adviser to the Saudi Sustainability Initiative based in Riyadh.

Date: 4th March 2013
Time: 6pm – 7pm (followed by reception)
Venue: Chem Eng LT2, South Kensington Campus, Imperial College London

Event free but registration required http://regenerativecities.eventbrite.com/

Save the environment by using reusable cups. We are partnering Imperial catering to encourage the use of KeepCups. These can be purchased from any Imperial College catering outlets and as a reward, you get two loyalty stamps whenever you use it!!

KeepCups are available in a variety of sizes – XS, S, M, L.

The Energy Society organised a visit to GE Grid IQ Innovation Centre in Bracknell on 5th Dec 2012. Participants had an eventful afternoon, where they were presented with an insight to GE Energy’s organisation structure, a well-organised guided tour of the Grid IQ Innovation Centre and a workshop on personal branding, crucial for job interviews. Senior management, staff and interns of GE Energy also took time off their busy schedule to join in for a panel discussion where many questions about recruitment, career prospects, working life in GE, etc were fielded.

The Energy Society would like to thank GE Energy for facilitating the tour.

Professor Robert Lowe (Chair of Energy and Building Science at UCL Energy Institute) will be drawing on his experience with Part L of the Building Regulations and speaking on the physical issues around dwelling energy performance. He will also share ideas on the problems underlying the concept of zero carbon and mention how regulation might help in some of these areas.

Date - 28th Nov 2012
Time - 12pm – 1pm (followed by Networking over refreshments)
Venue - Lecture Theatre 2, Blackett Building, Imperial College London.
Event is free but registration required http://robertloweatenergy.eventbrite.com/

Imperial College Energy Society organized a film night social on 5^th Nov 2012, screening “The Island President” which attracted about a large pool of students passionate about climate change mitigation and the environment. The event was followed by a discussion cum networking session over pizza and refreshments.

Students questioned the significance of the Copenhagen agreement given its non-legal binding nature. Some felt it would go down in history as a mere footnote while others felt it was a huge step towards a global acknowledgement of Climate Change as the biggest challenge for humanity.

The role of emerging economies such as China and India was also considered. Even though they have low carbon emissions per capita, students felt that all nations should have a fair share of the climate change burden and learn from mistakes made by developed nations. Some suggested this would also create a whole new industry for these emerging nations in clean and renewable energy. In general, students agreed with Nasheed’s plea to aim for carbon neutrality but saw it as an impossible goal to achieve within a decade. One student’s response on our post film online questionnaire said “It is also an almost impossible task to convince other nations to join in the battle against climate change and agree to reduce CO2 levels to 350 ppm. The only way the Maldives can survive the rising sea levels is through the very expensive building of walls and ultimately migration.”

Imperial College Energy Society would like to thank everyone who attended the film night social.

An opportunity to watch the award winning “The Island President” and to mingle with fellow Imperial students interested in Energy, Sustainability and Climate Change.
Date: Friday, 9^th Nov 2012
Time: 6pm
Venue : Electrical and Electronic Building, LT 408
Event is free, followed by debates over refreshments.
Registration is required through http://energyfilm.eventbrite.com/