Today, October 16th is World Food Day, a day coordinated by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). This year’s theme is the “Right to Food”.

Stories about food - on issues of hunger, urban agriculture, food miles, water and carbon costs, food security and sustainability, etc - are welcome to be posted on SustainableMelbourne.com to raise awareness of this issue in the media. To post a story simply email fedwards @unimelb.edu.au or visit the “Contribute a post” tag at the top of SustainableMelbourne.com.

Food related stories that have been submitted on SustainableMelbourne.com include:

Review - “Stuffed and Starved” book launch by Raj Patel
Model & Local Action - Farmer’s Market Newsletter, October
Local Action - Announcing the Growlocal initiative
Local Action & Resource - Spring Seed Swaps/Website/Newsletter
Research - Food Miles in Australia: A preliminary study of Melbourne, Victoria
Resource - Melbourne University Up Close Podcast - Genetically modified (GM) crops: the wheat from the chaff
Model - The Westgarth Fruit and Vegie Collective’s User Manual
Local Action - Ethical Consumer Group meetings and movies
Resource - Presentations and Evaluation now available from the Cities Feeding People Conference

And more! Simply click on the ‘Food‘ tag to see what’s happening around food issues in Melbourne. On a larger city-scale and international basis, also check out the SustainableCitiesNet.com blog for more food examples.

The Victorian Eco-Innovation Lab (VEIL) and the City of Melbourne present The Sustainable Cities Round Table/ Future Melbourne Forum.
5 - 7pm Wednesday 31 October
University of Melbourne
Proudly supported by the City of Melbourne

This event promises a fascinating finish to the Sustainable Cities Round Table series this year with the theme: visioning a sustainable urban future. The speakers will present their own design visions and also talk of the important role of visioning in business and government sectors.

Speakers include:
Melanie Dodd, Lecturer, Architecture & Design, RMIT University
Graham Crist, Program Director, Architecture & Design, RMIT University
Eva Migdal, Sustainability Strategist, Hatch Generation
Prof Catherin Bull, Associate Dean, Architecture, Building & Planning, University of Melbourne
Steve Mushin, Designer & Artist
Jon Ward, General Manager, Business, Innovation & Technology, Sustainability Victoria
Catherine Stutterheim, RMIT University & Stutterheim/ Anderson Landscape Architecture
Rob Adams, Director, City Design & Urban Environment, City of Melbourne

There will also be a presentation by Francois Jegou, Director of the Brussels-based design research company, Solutioning.

“François Jégou also teaches as visiting professor at the Faculty of Design of the Politecnico in Milan and La Cambre School of Visual Art in Brussels and was the co-producer with Ezio Manzini of the exhibition Sustainable Everyday. The picture that emerged from this project, says Jegou, was that of a ‘multi-local city…a city in the shape of a network of places endowed with totally new characteristics”. Jegou currently works with Manzini on the Emude project looking at the role and actions of creative communities in defining new models for sustainable living”.

To request an invitation to this event, please email Ferne Edwards at fedwards @unimelb.edu.au by 19 October. Visit www.SustainableMelbourne.com for more information and to see films of previous events!

An ECO-LEAD - Leading thinking in eco-innovation Public Lecture.
Supported by Sustainability Victoria and The Victorian Eco-innovation Lab (VEIL).

Francois Jégou: Radical Innovation for Sustainable Life-styles: European approaches to design and scenario building.

Date: Thursday 1 Nov 6pm-7.15pm
Venue: Prince Phillip Theatre, Architecture Building, University of Melbourne

A business-as-usual future is unsustainable. As we come to appreciate the challenges of climate change it is clear that the task of creating a sustainable economy requires more than incremental improvements in environmental efficiency, it demands radical innovation.

Francois Jégou is the first visitor in a series bringing leading international thinkers on eco-innovation to Australia: ” ECO-LEAD” (organised by Sustainability Victoria and the Victorian Eco-Innovation Lab).

Jégou is an important European designer; he is also a European expert in sustainability strategies. His expertise is derived from understanding that ideas of, and solutions for, sustainability are complex transformations that take place between multiple stakeholders, involving both social and technical innovation.

The art of being a strategic sustainable designer is to understand, hear and consider all stakeholder voices in the innovation process. Francois work has focused on user-centred innovation, and design-oriented scenario development, envisaging new ways for companies to interact with consumers to create and instigate radical product innovation. In a similar way to the VEIL project, Jégou uses scenarios to investigate unknown outcomes and to provide an understanding of radical changes that may take place in the future. He is a partner with Ezio Manzini (a future ECO-LEAD visitor) in the global project known as “The Sustainable Every Day” which brings together visions of a sustainable future from extensive workshops in more than 18 countries.
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In early October Marija returned from her ‘Trek for Tibet’, an extraordinary mountain adventure in the Indian Himalayas, learning about the inspiring culture of Tibet and culminating in a meeting with the Dalai Lama. On October 27th Melburnians will have a chance to hear stories and see images from Marija’s inspiring journey at a special fundraising dinner. Marija will be joined by Dr. Simon Bradshaw, Campaigns Coordinator for the Australia Tibet Council, who will be talking about the culture and global ecological significance of the Tibetan Plateau.

With the eyes of the world on China as it gears up to host the Olympics in Beijing, 2008 will be a crucial year in the struggle for a Free Tibet.

Saturday October 27th, 7.30pm, Gurkha’s Kitchen (167 St George’s Rd, Fitzroy 3065), 3 course meal, $45 per head, BYO alcohol or purchase there.
RSVP to Alison at the Australia Tibet Council on 0412313272 or email to atcvic @atc.org.au by Wednesday 24th October

How can technology support your company as the globe goes green?
ICT has the potential to provide solutions to many of our most pressing environmental challenges.

ICT already contributes positively through green energy initiatives and recycling programs, reduced paper printing, ensuring regulatory compliance and assisting marketplace programs such as carbon trading. What else is ICT doing to support countries, companies and people as we look to minimise our environmental footprint?

The Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA), representing the nation’s ICT industry, is proud to present this one-day conference, which will:
• explore ICT initiatives that are already making a difference to our environment;
• share learning from successful local and international programs; and
• reveal what some of the leading ICT vendors are doing to support sustainability programs.

The Forum will provide:
• CEOs, CFOs and CIOs with a broader understanding of how technology can support a sustainable future.
• Managers, Program Directors, Project Managers with an opportunity to learn and prepare for operational considerations for sustainability.
• Keynote discussion on the application of technology to help solve CO2 and other environmental issues.
• Exploration of ICT opportunities across key market sectors.
• An industry symposium with case studies and Q&A from leading industry commentators.

Objectives:
To provide a forum that explores key learning from sustainability programs, with the focus on ICT.
To showcase case studies of sustainability excellence from a range of ICT vendors.
To provide an opportunity for governments to highlight their role as shapers and supporters of sustainability initiatives.
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Saturday October 20, 1.45 - 5.30pm
The Augustine Centre
2 Minona St Hawthorn Mel 45 E11

Andrew Partos, Senior Urban designer will present his findings from research into current trends in co-housing in Denmark, Netherlands, USA and Canada.(A co-housing community is a kind of intentional community composed of private homes supplemented by extensive common facilities).

This forum presented via Sustainable Living Foundation is suited to professionals and the general community and will include opportunity for discussion, questions and networking.

Bookings/RSVP leave a message on 5996 7065 or email jo.hall @ozemail.com.au
$10 full, family $15 Concession $5

Co-housing event pdf

Climate change requires urgent action by all. In recognition of this Manningham City Council has taken the lead to initiate the carbon rationing action groups (CRAGs) to pool community enthusiasm and resources to make a real practical difference now.

Residents of Manningham have the opportunity to learn how to make substantial reductions in their carbon emissions and create change by becoming involved in Carbon Rationing Action Groups (CRAG’s) & recieve product discounts and have a chance at getting one of 10 home energy audits valued at $120.

The ‘Get ClimateWise Now!‘ program is offering residents a series of eight workshops covering topics such as solar electricity, solar hot water and heating, domestic wind energy, electric transportation options, biodiesel, green building & retrofits, greens financing, food miles and serious recycling with discounts and exciting offers for carbon rationing participants.

The first session involves an introduction into the 8 practical workshops that will occur plus 2 exciting speakers on:
- Carbon Rationing Action Groups
- Green financing - learn how to pay for solar hot water systems, photovoltaic arrays, and any other sustainable systems.

Thursday 18th October 6.45-9pm
Council Chambers, 699 Doncaster Rd, Doncaster
Kay Toussaint 9840 9348 or eepadmin @manningham.vic.gov.au
Free

*MADGE (Mothers Against Genetic Engineering) invites everyone wanting to extend the ban on growing GM canola in Victoria to join us for a GM-FREE PICNIC.

12-3pm Sunday 21st October
Fitzroy Gardens, East Melbourne

Wear fun dress-ups, bring the kids and a picnic to join us in celebrating Victoria’s GM-free food so State Politicians get the message that we want our food to stay clean and green.

SPOT THE COW
Find Primrose, our cow; sing along to GM-free songs and sign our giant pink ‘Keep Victoria GM-free’ message to the Victorian Government.

MADGE research has found laboratory animals fed GM foods suffered allergies, stunted development, damage to their internal organs and died prematurely. Toys painted with toxic paint can be recalled but if these foods cause damage to developing bones, brains and bodies the effects can’t be removed.
“Why should we feed GM food to our families when there are no studies proving these foods safe to eat?” says Fran Murrell “GM canola has polluted all of Canada’s canola leaving no choice for consumers. Don’t let this happen in Australia; extend the ban on GM canola until 2013”

*MADGE is a network of people concerned about the health and environmental effects of GM food. Many members are mothers but anyone can join and it’s free.

Information, media interviews: Jessica 0407 307 231 or Fran 0401 407 944 or visit www.madge.org.au

FREE PUBLIC LECTURE GIVEN BY CLIMATE CHANGE SCIENTISTS

Thursday 18th October
7-9pm
Copland Theatre
Economics and Commerce Building
The University of Melbourne
(See http://www.amos.org.au/melbourne/cc_lecture.html for a map of the campus)

This lecture gives you the opportunity to hear about the latest information on climate change from some of Australia’s leading climate change scientists who were closely involved with the latest UN Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change Report (IPCC).

Climate Change: Science in a Nutshell
Dr Scott Power
Principal Research Scientist, Centre for Australian Weather and Climate Research, Bureau of Meteorology
This talk will examine observed changes in our climate system, how climate models work, and what the models tell us about past and future climate. Dr. Power will cover the very latest in climate science and what it means for Australia.

Climate Change: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability
Mr. Kevin Hennessy
Principal Research Scientist, Climate Impacts and Risk Group, CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research
This talk will give you an overview of global impacts, adaptation and vulnerability associated with climate change. This includes a detailed discussion of projected changes for Australia and results from the brand CSIRO projections for future climate released on the 2nd October. Mr. Hennessy will also talk about potential impacts on a range of sectors including agriculture and coasts, the scope for adaptation, and some conclusions about vulnerability.

Climate Change: Mitigation
Mr. Roger Beale
Senior Associate, Allen Consulting Group
This talk will discuss potential scenarios for our future and the effects these may have on climate change. Sources and costs of emissions (and their underpinning assumptions) will be outlined. A discussion on constraining emissions with consideration for political and socio-economic influences will follow.

On 17 October 2007 Bicycle Victoria will host this year’s National Ride to Work Day. Riders from all states and territories can participate. Government and corporate organisations from around Australia have made the commitment to join this huge event.

Estimated participation this year is:
Over 60,000 participants
Over 2600 registered workplaces, many hosting their own breakfasts
More than 70 community breakfast events in CBDs and town centres.

According to the Ride to Work website:

“National Ride to Work Day will stimulate over 10,600 tonnes of Greenhouse Gas savings in the first three years - that’s more than 2650 hot air balloons or 212,000,000 “black balloons” full of CO2!”

For more information or to register a team visit the Ride to Work website, http://www.bv.com.au/join-in/126/.