Archive for November, 2007
Event - Kingfisher Festival - Monday 19 - 24 November
Posted in Events by Ferne Edwards on November 12th, 2007
This years Kingfisher Festival extends over a week, with the culmination being on election night – Saturday 24th.
On Thursday night, the 22nd there will be a gorgeous enviro film night under the marquee behind the café, and on Friday 23rd a dance party (something for everyone!)
The community performance on the Festival night, promises to be as magical as ever, and involves many school children, dancing, music, theatre, song, and fire.
Health Impacts of GM food
Posted in Events by kirsten on November 11th, 2007
Jeffrey Smith is American researcher / author who has extensively researched the failings of the GM regulatory system in the US and has published a book that lists the 65 documented health risks of GM foods.
He will briefly visit Melbourne on Monday 19th November, and will be giving a lecture in the evening about why GM crops & foods need rigorous investigation. Questions welcome.
NB: All Vic cabinet members have been given a copy of Jeffrey Smith’s book ‘Genetic Roulette - the Documented Health Risks of Genetically Engineered Food’
Melbourne talk by Jeffrey Smith
author of “Seeds of Deception” and “Genetic Roulette”
at The Green Building, 60Leicester St, Carlton.
On the evening of Monday 19th November at 6pm
Call 1300 133 868
see links at http://www.geneticroulette.com/
Your visions - Sustainable Mobility & Education from the Sustainable Cities Round Table / Future Melbourne Forum, 31 October
Posted in Events, Sustainable Cities Round Tables, Visions by Ferne Edwards on November 9th, 2007
Below are comments collected from the most recent Sustainable Cities Round Table / Future Melbourne Forum, 31 October 2007. The theme for the evening was “visioning sustainable cities“. In addition to a marvelous range of high quality presentations, we invited the audience to participate by commenting on what they thought we important aspects for a sustainable future. The categories for commentary were sustainable food, energy, education, aging and health, mobility and communication, water and waste. We also welcome additional comments about what you think are important aspects for visioning sustainable cities. Please submit your comments in the box below.
SUSTAINABLE MOBILITY AND COMMUNICATION
“How can we create time for ourselves to value the spending of time with each other. When I don’t own a car, I tend to visit my friends less often but for longer periods of time. What becomes available is a moving beyond politeness (the first 5 minutes spent with someone) and beyond ‘catch up’ (the next 45 minutes) and beyond talking at each other about what thoughts we have (the next 45 minutes) to somewhere we are generating a new conversation with each other (the people in the room)”
“Public Transport: accessibility; power form. Ie. How trams will be powered drive renewable energy sector for this”
“Legislate where possible against advertising and billboards which work against sustainability. Eg. ‘Melb Central – come and play’. (Shopping is not playing – it is consuming!) We don’t need more retail!”
“Rebrand the city as one which provides quality of experience, not quantity. Big events like Gran Prix and Melbourne Cup are orgies of consumption and not aligned with a sustainable city”
“Public transport please!”
“Have a bicycle advocate in government to oversee all future developments. (There was nowhere to lock my bike when I came to this building and the bike paths are not continuous)”
“Stop promoting the private car – use taxis, public transport, walk, ride or use electronic communication”
“Would car’s not running on fossil fuel be acceptable? Or are there other unsustainable aspects of ‘personal’ transport? Eg. Social?”
“Fund more public transport infrastructure”
“Share City of Casey positive impact resource management framework”
“Hold a car-free day for Melbourne to kick off a new conversation about transitioning to a sustainable non-fossil fuel system”
Your visions - Sustainable Water from the Sustainable Cities Round Table / Future Melbourne Forum, 31 October
Posted in Events, Sustainable Cities Round Tables, Visions by Ferne Edwards on November 9th, 2007
Below are comments collected from the most recent Sustainable Cities Round Table / Future Melbourne Forum, 31 October 2007. The theme for the evening was “visioning sustainable cities“. In addition to a marvelous range of high quality presentations, we invited the audience to participate by commenting on what they thought we important aspects for a sustainable future. The categories for commentary were sustainable food, energy, education, aging and health, mobility and communication, water and waste. We also welcome additional comments about what you think are important aspects for visioning sustainable cities. Please submit your comments in the box below.
SUSTAINABLE WATER
“Revision what a sustainable urban (for water) landscape is now….”
“Build on the principle that flushing potable water down the toilet can no longer be tolerated until the concept is the norm”
“Rainwater harvesting – community collaboration projects to utilise building roofs to water local sports ovals, gardens, etc. Focus on collaboration between local businesses, councils, community groups and sporting/ rec. clubs”
“Capture outflows from wetlands for urban water use other than pump out to sea or risk urban inundation. Increased water supply (grey). No energy required for pumping infrastructure/ operation”
“In the urban context city dwellers should be connected to their water and responsible for water quality, usage of water and management”
“Establish a water stewardship council to value/ standardise products according to the amount of water used in the production/ manufacture. Give consumers a choice to be discerning”
Your visions - Sustainable Aging and Health from the Sustainable Cities Round Table / Future Melbourne Forum, 31 October
Posted in Visions by Ferne Edwards on November 9th, 2007
Below are comments collected from the most recent Sustainable Cities Round Table / Future Melbourne Forum, 31 October 2007. The theme for the evening was “visioning sustainable cities“. In addition to a marvelous range of high quality presentations, we invited the audience to participate by commenting on what they thought we important aspects for a sustainable future. The categories for commentary were sustainable food, energy, education, aging and health, mobility and communication, water and waste. We also welcome additional comments about what you think are important aspects for visioning sustainable cities. Please submit your comments in the box below.
SUSTAINABLE AGING AND HEALTH
“Is most recreation sustainable?”
“Intergenerational concerns for sustainability. How can we get them to converge?”
“Harness the aging car dependent suburbs (and occupants) into areas of sustainable change”.
Your visions - Sustainable Education from the Sustainable Cities Round Table / Future Melbourne Forum, 31 October
Posted in Events, Sustainable Cities Round Tables, Visions by Ferne Edwards on November 8th, 2007
Below are comments collected from the most recent Sustainable Cities Round Table / Future Melbourne Forum, 31 October 2007. The theme for the evening was “visioning sustainable cities“. In addition to a marvelous range of high quality presentations, we invited the audience to participate by commenting on what they thought we important aspects for a sustainable future. The categories for commentary were sustainable food, energy, education, aging and health, mobility and communication, water and waste. We also welcome additional comments about what you think are important aspects for visioning sustainable cities. Please submit your comments in the box below.
SUSTAINABLE (transformational) EDUCATION
“Political leadership:
– regulation
– lobby them
– taxation incentives and drive investment.”
“Project leadership and partnership:
- sustainable models in East Timor
- sustainable models in indigenous community.”
“Protect Arnhem Land (without the toad). Almost pristine nature for our children.”
“Invest in educating people about values and priorities in their behaviour – not just engineering our way to sustainability”
“Paradigm shifts are best achieved on a blank canvas”
“Apply an ‘everyday’ type solution discussion through MCC”
“Each City Municipality needs a ‘Sustainable Living Education Centre’ NOW! Such platforms can bring business, government and community together to develop new ideas and educate about existing solutions. More info go to www.bleep.org.au”
“Community Sustainability Living Education programs must ‘outreach’ into the suburbs. Look at Vox Bandicoot’s ‘Sustainability Street’ program as an excellent capacity building model for accelerating the take up of sustainable solutions”
“City of Melbourne is ‘supported’ by substantial suburbia. How to make suburbia sustainable?”
“Introducing a teaching style that must consider environmental and social sustainability in every aspect”
“Link into VAEE education for Sustainability Round Table”
“Increase awareness and power: 1. Market behaviour change, 2. Enforce new technologies and sustainable behaviours”
“Social sustainability = economic sustainability in the business of student housing and education. Failing to provide meaningful experiences or allowing students to be exploited (in housing) risks the future of a big industry through reputational damage. Academic performance is affected by living experience. Disruption to security of housing will disrupt study.”
“Reflect cultural heritage past, present and future as entertwined with all levels of education and basic respect”
“All education – primary, secondary, university, vocational, life long, religious, etc –needs an environmental context”
“Education in schools programs being undertaken in primary schools”
“Outreach to the ‘non-converted’ like ACFs GreenHome program”
Your visions - Sustainable Waste from the Sustainable Cities Round Table / Future Melbourne Forum, 31 October
Posted in Events, Sustainable Cities Round Tables, Visions by Ferne Edwards on November 8th, 2007
Below are comments collected from the most recent Sustainable Cities Round Table / Future Melbourne Forum, 31 October 2007. The theme for the evening was “visioning sustainable cities“. In addition to a marvelous range of high quality presentations, we invited the audience to participate by commenting on what they thought we important aspects for a sustainable future. The categories for commentary were sustainable food, energy, education, aging and health, mobility and communication, water and waste. We also welcome additional comments about what you think are important aspects for visioning sustainable cities. Please submit your comments in the box below.
SUSTAINABLE WASTE
“Deal with what you do on the site. Reuse, reduce, recycle – ON-SITE”
“Waste = Food”
“Zero waste – close all loops (and ban packaging on lettuce)”
Event - Environment Resource Center Launch - Saturday 10 November
Posted in Events by Ferne Edwards on November 8th, 2007
The City of Melbourne is launching its new Environment Resource Centre at East Melbourne Library & Community Centre.
Saturday 10 November 2007
10am - 2pm
East Melbourne Library & Community Centre, 122 George Street, East Melbourne (Melways Ref. 2G D4).
Come along and join in the celebrations at the East Melbourne Library. See our new range of environmental books, magazines, videos, DVDs, software programs and government information including flyers and newsletters. You can also be informed on upcoming environmental workshops and events as well as exchange your old showerhead for a free water-efficient one valued at $34.
The Environment Resource Centre is a fantastic resource for people wanting to lighten their environmental footprint and make a difference. Experts are available on the day to provide practical advice and simple tips. See the energy and water saving displays and enter our competition to win a worm farm.
Guest speaker is Mike O’Connell who designed and built his own house using Passive Solar design principles together with Solar Hot Water heating and permaculture garden. With his Telecommunications, IT, Construction and Renewable Energy experience he is expert at bridging the gap between technical and non-technical people.
There will be a Children’s Story time with activity ideal for 5-6yr olds. A light lunch will be provided.
Program
10am - Library opens,all displays open
11am - 11:45am: Children’s story time: Uno’s Garden by Graeme Base (led by Jeanette Becklar)
11:45am - noon: Welcome (Deputy Lord Mayor Gary Singer)
Noon - 1pm: Lunch (provided by Cultural Catering)
1pm - 1:45pm: ‘Reducing Energy Use, Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Cost in the Home’ (presentation by Mike O’Connell, Alternative Technology Association)
For more information, please visit the City of Melbourne website. To RSVP for catering purposes only, please call the City of Melbourne on 9658 9658.
Event - Walk Against Warming - Sunday 11th November
Posted in Policies by Ferne Edwards on November 8th, 2007
Walk Against Warming is Australia’s biggest day of action on climate change, with over 30 walks happening all over the country. This year’s events will take place on Sunday 11th November, just before the Federal Election. Last year’s events were huge. The Melbourne walk starts 1pm at the State Library. You can go to the website www.walkagainstwarming.org.au and pledge to walk.
Walk Against Warming
Sunday November 11, 1 pm
State Library
Swanston Street (opposite Melbourne Central Station)
Your visions - Sustainable Energy from the Sustainable Cities Round Table / Future Melbourne Forum, 31 October
Posted in Sustainable Cities Round Tables, Visions by Ferne Edwards on November 7th, 2007
Below are comments collected from the most recent Sustainable Cities Round Table / Future Melbourne Forum, 31 October 2007. The theme for the evening was “visioning sustainable cities“. In addition to a marvelous range of high quality presentations, we invited the audience to participate by commenting on what they thought we important aspects for a sustainable future. The categories for commentary were sustainable food, energy, education, aging and health, mobility and communication, water and waste. We also welcome additional comments about what you think are important aspects for visioning sustainable cities. Please submit your comments in the box below.
SUSTAINABLE ENERGY
“Solar farms in central Australia?”
“How can multiple visions of sustainable futures drawing on hybrid cultural backgrounds be condensed into a viable future?”
“A vision for locally produced, locally owned, locally distributed systems, which provide not only energy but sense of community, local expertise and desires for growth and sustainable energy. Distributed energy systems (not just generation) holds this possibility.”
“Wind power, geothermal (and other) renewable energy projects.”
“Must be initiatives to reduce energy demand through a. energy efficiency (technological solutions) and b. individual behaviour change (education re. energy saving).”
“Umm…. So where’s the connection between the guy from Sustainability Victoria and the actions of Brumby’s cabinet? For example, leadership in ESD? In planning regulations that require sensible orientation, x, etc, as well as 5 star? In PT over roads? In solar and wind technologies? Etc…..”
“Make all new subdivisions compulsory to have lots oriented to the north and to reduce use.”
“Create awareness in people. Do not depend on technology to solve problems.”
“Zero emissions, co-gen, localised facilities (funded by governments at all levels).”
“Community-based ‘retrofit’. Education is a must for the 95% of us that live in energy inefficient homes. See the ‘sustainable home’ model at www.bleep.org.au.”
“A form of star-rating on houses. More stars, more incentive to buy. Perhaps could regulate the rental sector?”
“The risk of grand meta-narratives disconnect with peoples’ lived experience. Multicultural composition – liveability – multicultural experience. Who defines liveability? Vision – who’s vision? How do you stream line multiple visions?”
“Energy consumption by our 21C lifestyles needs to change. What would alternatives look like? Need to produce sustainable alternatives.”
“Really truly make mixed use liveable. (I live in an old house where you cool it down by opening windows. The pub next door now makes noise from 12-1am – no sleep for us!)”
“Sustainable housing = green + affordable housing.”
“Use less, have more”.
