An inter-bay challenge to find the greatest ‘Low Carbon Dieters’ on Magnetic Island and a Short-Film Competition are just two of the activities planned by MINCA (Magnetic Island Nature Care Association Inc.) to ensure that the Island does its bit to reduce carbon emissions and limit climate change. Both projects are being funded by the Queensland Department of Energy and Natural Resources (DERM).

MINCA President Wendy Tubman told MT that she was delighted that MINCA, had recently won the two grants. ‘The Low Carbon Diet Inter-Bay Challenge is part of the Queensland Government’s program to cut Queensland’s carbon footprint by one-third by 2020. But we are hoping that Island residents will be able to do even better than that,’ she said.

‘We will be running the Challenge in association with Townsville Queensland Solar Cities – and aim to find households in the different bays to compete for significant prizes by cutting the amount of carbon they emit over a three-month period. There will be prizes for best group of households, best single household in a bay, and best household on the Island – as well as rewards for all those taking part in the Challenge.

‘The short-film competition, Carbon Cuts, will run at around the same time, with the judging and awards' night planned for 6 June. There will be a prize pool of $2000, and we will be offering film-making/editing workshops for those taking part in the competition – which is open to people of all ages in varying categories, from the Island and beyond.’

‘Further details on both the Island Low Carbon Diet Challenge and the short-film competition will be letter-box dropped in a few days, and notices will be posted around the Island’ Wendy said.

As part of the Challenge, MINCA will be running trivia quizzes and barbecues, and displays of Low Carbon Diet information at various locations. ‘There will also be workshops, displays and ‘climate champions’ to spur participants along’, Wendy said.