AWI says using wool can help fight global warming
Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) has launched the Wool Carbon Alliance comprising a group of Australian and international wool industry representatives. The aim of the alliance is to work together to market the natural benefits of wool as the “ideal” fibre to help reduce global warming.
According to AWI, a household can significantly reduce its carbon emissions using wool in a number of forms including insulating with wool, wearing wool, and using woollen products within the household.
“Wool has an important role to play as part of the everyday carbon solution. Ours is an ambitious plan to let the world know just how versatile our great natural fibre is. It’s wool’s time to help the planet and for us to sell more wool in the process,” says alliance chair and AWI board member, Chick Olsson.
Joining Mr Olsson as part of the alliance are Dr Meredith Sheil (AWI), Martin Oppenheimer (Australian Wool Growers Association), Günther Beier (International Wool Textile Organisation), Geoff Power (South Australian Farmers Federation and formerly WoolProducers Australia) and Tom Ashby (Australian Association of Stud Merino Breeders).
The Wool Carbon Alliance and AWI are working with the Australian Government to research and promote the many roles the fibre can play in protecting the environment. As a preliminary step, Mr Beier said the International Wool Textile Organisation would take appear as a wool industry representative at the European Parliament in early 2010.
