The list of events below are taking place at the Sustainable Living Festival, from 14 - 17 February.

Sustainable Transport – Visions for Melbourne in 2010
A range of sustainable transport organisations will present their vision on where Victoria could be in 2010. This two hour event is part of the 2008 Sustainable Living Festival. The organisations and speakers include:
Australasian Centre for the Governance And Management of Urban Transport (Gamut) - John Stone
Architects for Peace - Beatriz C. Maturana
Blind Citizens Australia - Jessica Zammit
Department of Infrastructure - Jim Betts
Environment Victoria - Victoria McKenzie-McHarg
Metropolitan Transport Forum - Jackie Fristacky
Planning Institute of Australia - Jason Black
Public Transport Users Association (Victoria) - Kerryn Wilmot
Tourism & Transport Forum - Stewart Prins
Victorian Local Governance Association - Greg Thomas
Date & Time: Sunday 17 February, 10am – 12noon (Doors open from 9.30am)
Venue: BMW Edge, Federation Square
Cost: Free (but you can support the Festival by buying a Voluntary Ticket)
More information: http://www.slf.org.au/festival/program/talks/1361

Going Electric – Vehicles for a Petrol Free Future (Richard Keech)
This presentation will succinctly make the case for battery electric vehicles (BEVs). In particular it will outline the author’s personal search for sustainable private transport. The presentation aims to show: why oil is a problem; the possible consequences of failing to constrain use of oil; why hybrids are not the answer; how BEVs can replace petrol-powered vehicles right now; the author’s experiences in acquiring and using a BEV.
Date & Time: Sunday 17 February, 12noon – 1pm
Venue: Design Tent, Federation Square
Cost: Free (but you can support the Festival by buying a Voluntary Ticket)
More information: http://www.slf.org.au/festival/program/talks/1263

Pearls-on-a-String – Sustainable Design and Transport (Stephen Ingrouille)
Many of us are addicted to our cars but their use adds to our health problems and for non-occupants these vehicles cause loss of amenity and intrusion into our social spaces. Victoria needs to substantially improve its public transport infrastructure particularly for the new fringe suburbs but also for the central core which in many ways is at capacity. There is a solution in Ultra-Light Rail particularly where it is combined with an urban design process known as ‘Pearls-on-a-String’. Ultra-Light Rail (or Light Tram) comprises of vehicles that are less expensive, weigh physically less, need less intensive track work and do not utilise an expensive overhead pantograph system.
Date & Time: Sunday 17 February, 3pm – 4pm
Venue: Design Tent, Federation Square
Cost: Free (but you can support the Festival by buying a Voluntary Ticket)
More information: http://www.slf.org.au/festival/program/talks/1255

Biofuels – First and Second Generation (Daniel Epstein)
What are Biofuels; Biodiesel, Ethanol, Electric, LPG, CPG and how they impact the car, the economy, the environment and are they viable? 2nd generation biofuels will be discussed; a working Algae demonstration reactor will also be on show at the Festival. Daniel will talk from experience about what the Transport fuel direction is in Australia and what it should be. Learn about the way forward with Biofuels and sustainability in modern life.
Date & Time: Saturday 16 February, 11am – 12noon
Venue: Design Tent, Federation Square
Cost: Free (but you can support the Festival by buying a Voluntary Ticket)
More information: http://www.slf.org.au/festival/program/talks/1257

Friends of the Earth Australia is seeking a skilled campaigner to coordinate the work of our Climate Justice Campaign. The position is 4 days per week and based in Brisbane, Sydney or Melbourne.

Position description
Job Title: Climate Justice Campaign Coordinator
Reports to: Friends of the Earth Australia Climate Justice Campaigners and a reference group.
Employment basis: initial 6 month contract, subject to a performance review at 3 months and with a view to permanent employment pending successful fundraising.
Hours: 4 days per week (32 hours per week)
Salary: $35,559.68 gross/before tax p.a. (+ 9% additional superannuation)
Conditions: The Climate Justice Campaign Coordinator is employed under the terms and conditions described in the FoEA Workers’ Policy.
Start: March 2008
Location: Brisbane, Sydney or Melbourne

The successful person will coordinate the work of the national Climate Justice Campaign, with a particular focus on climate refugee work. The coordinator will facilitate the implementation of the climate justice campaign strategy and support the national FoE Australia climate justice campaign collective. In achieving campaign objectives, the coordinator will engage like minded groups/allies in research, policy and public advocacy work.

Full details on Friends of the Earth Australia website http://www.foe.org.au/.
Applications close February 22.

Get ClimateWise Now! Workshops - How to reduce your carbon emissions

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 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). 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, green building & retrofits, greens financing, food miles and serious recycling with discounts and exciting offers for carbon rationing participants.

Exciting new information on PV and solar hot water systems for CRAGers !

The fourth session involves an introduction into the 8 practical workshops that will occur plus 2 exciting speakers on:
- Solar hot water systems; the different types and there benefits
- Solar air heating systems.

Date and time: Thursday 21st February 2008, 6.45-9pm
Time & Venue: 6:45pm to 9:00pm - Council Chambers, 699 Doncaster Rd, Doncaster
Bookings: Kay Toussaint 9840 9348 or eepadmin @manningham.vic.gov.au
Cost: Free

When: Sunday 17th February 2008 at 1:15pm
Where: BMW Edge Theatre, Federation Square, Melbourne
Cost: Free

Will technology save us from the brink of disaster or is it the root cause? Which technologies will achieve this ambitious target? What can we all do to contribute?

Four experts, facilitated by broadcast journalist Peter Couchman, discuss these and other questions at an Alternative Technology Association (ATA) Special Event at the Sustainable Living Festival 2008.

MC
Peter Couchman
Peter Couchman’s career as a broadcast journalist spans over thirty years in both radio and television. He has met and interviewed many prominent public figures who have shaped the contemporary history of Australia.

Peter became well known as a reporter and frontman on the pioneering ABC current affairs program This Day Tonight, Four Corners and the 7.30 Report. He also worked as a foreign correspondent in South East Asia for a number of years. His audience discussion series Couchman Over Australia, was a popular feature of ABC television for four years before he moved into morning talkback radio for the ABC in Melbourne.

Speakers
Alan Pears
Alan Pears has been a columnist for ReNew: technology for a sustainable future magazine (published by the ATA) for over 10 years. He is an engineer and educator who has worked on energy and environmental issues for more than 25 years.
Read the rest of this entry »

The Sustainable Living Festival is fast approaching to take place from Friday 15 to Sunday 17 February. Visit the Sustainable Living Foundation website for more information at www.slf.org.au/festival.

An fantastic short ad has just been made about this free, family-fun event.

Check it out at: http://www.slf.org.au/festival/tvc

The Climate Action calendar covers local events in the greater Northern and Eastern area of Melbourne, city based events and major events elsewhere in Victoria.

Regular updates will be sent out as information becomes available, (roughly every two weeks).

If you wish to add an event to the calendar please e-mail the details to decortis @bigpond.net.au.

If you wish to subscribe to the calendar please send an email to decortis @bigpond.net.au with “Subscribe CAC” in Subject line.

Below is the Farmers’ Market Newsletter for February by Miranda Sharp, Melbourne Community Farmers’ Markets Freelance Food Writing, www.mfm.com.au.

The Global Cities Institute in collaboration with the City of Melbourne’s EcoEDGE2 Conference invites researchers, RMIT staff and interested individuals to a discussion on research directions for sustainable cities on Monday February 18.

Sustainable Cities: towards a research agenda

Date: Monday 18th February
Time: 12:30pm - 2.30pm
Venue: Research Lounge, Building 28, Level 5, City Campus (opposite RMIT Library)

Lunch will be provided so please RSVP to trish.mitchell @rmit.edu.au to confirm your place.

Global Cities Sustainable Cities seminar pdf

Find details below about an upcoming lecture on sustainable development in India. For more information visit the Asialink website.

“Science & Technology for Sustainable Development in India” by His Excellency Shri Kapil Sibal, Minister Minister of Science & Technology and Minister of Earth Sciences, Government of India

2008 Asialink Lecture

Hear one of India’s most eloquent Cabinet Ministers discuss Science and Technology as a powerful instrument for growth and sustainable development.

Minister Sibal has a Masters Degree in Law from Harvard Law School and a Masters in History from Delhi University. He was appointed as Cabinet Minister and Union Minister for Science and Technology and Earth Science in June 2006. He is widely acknowledged as a highly effective Minister, powerful and entertaining speaker with a commitment to openness and transparency.

Minister Sibal’s achievements in his portfolio already include a National Biotechnology Development Strategy, a National Early Warning System for Tsunami and Storm Surges in the Indian Ocean and leading the Indian delegation at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Bali, successfully negotiating the conclusion on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation in Developing Countries (REDD).

This event is presented by Asialink and is the latest in the Asialink Lecture Series providing a forum for eminent Asian and Australian leaders to present their vision for the Asia Pacific community in the 21st Century.

WHEN: Monday, 11th February 2008
TIME: 1.00 pm prompt start to 2.00 pm. For security purposes, please ensure sufficient time for entry and seating.
WHERE: Carrillo Gantner Theatre, Basement, Sidney Myer Asia Centre, The University of Melbourne
COST: Free
RSVP: Essential. Please email events @asialink.unimelb.edu.au with “Science Minister” in the subject line.

Please find below an invitation for people in the City of Yarra, Melbourne. This is a great initiative - based on the successful Urban Orchard model as found at CERES. Would be great to see more of these popping up in different suburbs around Melbourne!

City of Yarra Urban Agriculture Network Seasonal Gathering - Summer Bounty Sauce Making Extravaganza - Sharing the Goodness!

Bring along some of your garden’s bounty ie tomatoes, zucchinis, capsicums, herbs etc to help us make a big batch of summer harvest pasta sauce to be bottled and used for nutritious lunches for the St David’s Community Choir. And don’t worry if you don’t have any produce to add to the pot – come along anyway and join in the merriment!

When: 5-8pm, Friday 22nd February
Where: Collingwood Neighbourhood House, base of 253 Hoddle St Flats Collingwood. (Melways 2CH9) Collingwood train station accross Hoddle St.

The evening will also include a garden tour of the Collingwood College Kitchen Garden and the Collingwood Estate Community Garden.

Please bring along: any produce you would like to contribute; an apron; a plate of nibbles to share; jars/bottles; any seeds/cuttings/recipes/garden tips etc you might like to share.