Christina Kirsch has spent over a decade championing community-driven renewable energy in Australia, where after four years as a Greens councillor for Warringah, she founded the Northern Beaches chapter of Clean Energy for Eternity in 2012. We interviewed Christina to ask her about her local chapter and what drives her to make an impact.
Christina Kirsch has spent over a decade championing community-driven renewable energy in Australia, where after four years as a Greens councillor for Warringah, she founded the Northern Beaches chapter of Clean Energy for Eternity in 2012. This Sydney-based group of volunteers have since joined Rewiring Australia’s Electric Communities Network, aiming to increase accessibility to solar energy through their initiatives such as ClearSky Solar Investments, which allows people to invest in solar installations on commercial properties.
“I’m a psychologist, so I like to use what is called a human-centered design,” Christina explained.
“We considered what drives people who don't necessarily want to save the planet, and it was all about making or saving money. Then there are the people who do want to help but don't have suitable homes for solar.
“It was just like, wow, we could really do something here.”
Since its beginning, ClearSky Solar has invested over $30 million across 120 community projects in NSW and Victoria. Christina believes, with passionate certainty, that renewable energy is the key to addressing a bleak future.
“Climate change doesn't care which side of politics you are on. If you just look at the economics, renewable energy is the cheapest form of energy,” she said.
“I have a daughter which means life doesn't end with me. As for the planet, we've destroyed most of it. It will recover when we're gone, but it will become increasingly painful for every generation after us.”
In an effort to collaborate with community members, Clean Energy for Eternity has also implemented a Solar Ambassador program on the Northern Beaches, where local passionate volunteers examine streets in their area to analyse homes for solar or battery potential. Clean Energy for Eternity then works with the council to send letters to suitable households and advises them of their energy potential.
“The more we work together, the stronger we become,” Christina said.
“In our community, our love for the beaches and the environment most certainly brings us together. We're lucky to be in the most incredible environment, so it's easy to have a common goal to really preserve that.”
With Clean Energy for Eternity’s efforts, Christina's vision for a renewable energy future on the Northern Beaches is increasingly becoming a reality, and she believes that being part of a broader movement makes the task feel far more achievable.
“All the groups with Rewiring Australia, they're incredible. It's these people that keep us going because we're not fighting alone. We have this whole community that's fighting with us on the same side.”
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Live on the Northern Beaches, and want to get more involved? Join Christina and Clean Energy for Eternity : https://cleanenergyforeternity.net.au/get-in-touch/
Want to start your own community group? Reach out to our dedicated Community Manager Tim by email at tim@rewiringaustralia.org.
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Rewiring Australia is a non-profit organisation dedicated to representing the people, households and communities in the energy system. We empirically demonstrate and communicate the cost savings, emissions reductions, and energy system benefits of electrification.
Rewiring Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we live, meet and work and we pay our respects to Elders past and present.
Rewiring Australia is a member of Climate Action Network Australia.
Rewiring Australia is an Australian charity registered with the ACNC with Deductible Gift Recipient status (ABN 18 664 239 196). All donations over $2 are tax deductible.
Contact us: electrify@rewiringaustralia.org
