b'CommentaryEducation mattersEducation matters the future workforce must possess a strong foundation in energy literacy. This includes the ability to compare different Marina Pervukhinaenergy sources, comprehend Associate Editor for Education technical terminology, and EMarina.Pervukhina@csiro.au understand the quantitative aspects of energy systemsBalancing the demand for broaderfive years of my career before semi-retiring. interdisciplinary education withI am now a board member of the CO2CRC, the energy sectors need forchairing the industry advisory committee.associations have an important role in specialised skillsI am also a director on the board of theengaging with the younger generation Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) inand providing insights from experienced Dear readers, in this issue of Preview weWA. I remain active in energy transition andindustry professionals. Moreover, continue our series of interviews withclimate change mitigation technologieshighlighting the imperative of subjects leaders from industry, government,such a CCUS. Because of my interests Ilike mathematics and physics at the and academia about education in Earthchair the SPE GAIA Sustainability sub- high school level is crucial, as it fosters Sciences in Australia. Today, our guest iscommittee in WA andthe region.the quantitative skills necessary for Claus Otto, a member of the CO2CRC BoardMP:You are organising a lot ofcomprehending complex energysystems.and a director on the Board of the Societydiscussion panels on the topic of energyDespite the environmental concerns of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) in WA. transition at different universities. Fromassociated with oil and gas, its essential your point of view how can educationto acknowledge the efforts of industry assist a smooth energy transition? players in mitigating their carbon footprint CO:Nowadays significant changes areand developing cleaner technologies underway, accompanied by a notabletowards net zero. Additionally, the degree of resistance, particularly fromenergy needs of developing countries younger generations, regarding the role ofunderscore the continued relevance of oil, gas, and fossil fuels in climate change.fossil fuels in the global energy mix.While acknowledging the validity of theseUltimately, with the worlds population concerns, its essential to recognise thecontinuing to grow, theres a pressing complexity of the issue. Hence, it becomesneed for sustainable energy solutions to our responsibility to engage with highmeet the rising demand. By equipping school students, educators, and eventhe next generation with a nuanced primary school teachers and parents, tounderstanding of energy dynamics and impart a comprehensive understandingfostering critical thinking skills, we can of the energy transition. pave the way for a more sustainable and Claus Otto This educational endeavour entailsequitable energy future.explaining the necessity of oil and gas alongside renewable energy sources, MP:Please tell us a little bitconsidering factors like energy securityBy equipping the next aboutyourself. and the equitable implementationgeneration with a nuanced CO:I was born and raised in theof energy transition policies. Asunderstanding of energy Netherlands to German parents, andAustralia navigates its journey towardsdynamics and fostering critical Iattended a German school in Rotterdamelectrification and renewables, its crucial to address concerns about infrastructure,thinking skills, we can pave the and The Hague. I had a classical educationcommunity impact, and the continuedway for a more sustainable and at a gymnasium, and afterwards I beganreliance on oil and gas for various studying chemical engineering in theequitable energy futureNetherlands but switched to appliedpurposes, including power generation.geology after discovering my interestWhile refraining from delving into the in geosciences and related fieldwork.contentious issue of nuclear energy, itsMP:How do you see the role of Ipursued a masters degree in Germanyevident that the future workforce mustuniversities and what challenges do and then a PhD in hydrogeology and fluidpossess a strong foundation in energythey experience?mechanics at the University of Alberta,literacy. This includes the ability to compare Canada. My first serious job was with CSIROdifferent energy sources, comprehendCO:The role of universities in teaching in Australia, working there for 15yearstechnical terminology, and understand theand research subjects related to energy before joining Shell International forquantitative aspects of energy systems. transition is significant, but its also subject 10years in the Netherlands and Australia.to adaptation and change, often influenced After Shell, Iset up an Institute for EnergyProfessional organisations like energy,by financial considerations. Globally, Transition at Curtin University for the lastgeoscience, mining and oil and gasincluding in Australia, there has been 28 PREVIEWJUNE 2024'