Hidden environmental costs make food production more vulnerable than society has estimated and consumers should prepare for continuing rising food prices, a new report has shown.

Lead author Kirsten Larsen, based at the University of Melbourne, says food production will be increasingly challenged by changing climate, dwindling supplies of cheap oil and declining water and soil resources.

“What has become patently clear is that major innovations – well beyond efficiency improvements in existing food production – are needed, and soon, if we are to have good food to feed all Victorians and to meet export demands.”

The report, Secure and Sustainable Food Systems for Victoria, produced by the Victorian Eco-Innovation Laboratory (VEIL) recommends actively developing more sustainable and resilient food systems now, to enable longer term food security in the face of rising input costs and environmental risks.

The report can be downloaded from www.ecoinnovationlab.com/pages/library.php.
The media release and key findings can be downloaded from www.ecoinnovationlab.com/pages/press-releases.php.

Speaker: Sue Kenny (Deakin University)
Date & Time: Tuesday May 20: 7pm.
Location: Horse Bazaar (http://www.horsebazaar.com.au/), 397 Little Lonsdale Street

In many senses globalisation has brought us closer together. However it has also enhanced the ability of the developed world to exploit everyone else. Instead of the unity we were promised we have a greater disparity in living standards and wealth. So what sort of globalisation could actually bring us together? Can global networks of NGOs help bring us together in a way our governments’ have failed to? Can it be the key to greater understanding between cultures and nations, were our similarities bind us together creating a cohesive world order? Can we move beyond nationalism to a single moral community?

Gold coin donation (free for ACDJ members)

Contact: centre @democracyandjustice.org

The Victorian Eco-Innovation Lab (VEIL), SustainableMelbourne.com and VicUrban would like to invite you to:

The Sustainable Cities Round Table
SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS
6:30 – 8:30pm including drinks
Wednesday 28 May
Melba Hall, Ground Floor, Conservatorium Building (near Gate 12), Royal Parade University of Melbourne
RSVP essential to fedwards @unimelb.edu.au or call 8344 9268.
Proudly supported by VicUrban

The Sustainable Cities Round Tables showcase local environmental initiatives and encourage networking for people working in urban sustainability issues. In addition to our 3 minute presentations of people from the public, private and community sectors, we will also be featuring music accompaniment by pianist Dave Newington, an exhibition of RMIT University students’ work on food in cities, and networking and drinks. To view previous Sustainable Cities Round Tables click here. The theme for the next event is “sustainable food systems“.

Speakers include:
Dr Maarten Stapper, BioLogic AgFood
Kirsten Larsen, VEIL Report: Sustainable and Secure Food Systems
Mary Stewart: Insights into the food retail and wholesale sectors
Marika Wagner, Water for food petition
Ferne Edwards, VEIL: Mapping meals in metropolis
Michael Chew, Environment Victoria: Scoping the Fruit Peddler project
Marcus Godhino, CEO, One Umbrella: Two Million Meals
Mikhil Kotak, Co- founder, Tiffins
Grant Taresh, Elgo Estate Wines Pty Ltd
Chris Ryan, VEIL: From Jim’s mowing to Jim’s sowing

RSVP essential to fedwards @unimelb.edu.au by 23 May.

From Friends of the Earth Melbourne:
Would you like to be trained to provide talks to community groups on promoting climate justice and preventing runaway climate change? FoE receives requests from a range of community groups to provide talks on climate change. These are important opportunities to increase awareness about climate justice and climate change issues, and to promote FoE’s valuable work in this area.

We are inviting applications from people who would like to provide talks to community groups about these issues on FoE’s behalf, on a voluntary
basis (though travel expenses incurred through making presentations would be reimbursed). Successful applicants will be trained to prepare for their
role, focusing on skill development in public speaking, presentation techniques, understanding climate justice and climate change issues, and responding to questions from the audience. Approximately 5 hours of training will be provided.

Successful applicants would do approximately one talk per month, and we are hoping for a commitment of at least six months. Handout material and a
PowerPoint presentation (for those situations in which it is needed) will be provided by FoE for presenters to use.

To be eligible, you must be either a current or former FoE member, and/or have donated time (e.g. through volunteering on a specific task or campaign) or money to FoE. You would need to understand FoE’s general principles and philosophies concerning our social justice and environmental work, and have at least a moderate understanding of climate change and climate justice issues. You don’t need to be a great public speaker, but be someone who likes to communicate with people and be willing to improve your presentation skills.

If you are interested please contact Arius, arius.tolstoshev @foe.org.au asap.

From Friends of the Earth Melbourne:
Helpers needed for FoE mail outs
Several times a year, copies of Chain Reaction (our national magazine) and the Melbourne newsletter are mailed out to all our members. This is one of the main ways we spread the word on issues of environmental and social justice. With a rapidly expanding support base, this is becoming quite a large operation! If you would like to become a part of the volunteer team which makes this happen, please email chris.clark @foe.org.au. All volunteers will receive the latest copy of the Chain Reaction magazine and a tasty lunch from our café downstairs.

From Friends of the Earth Melbourne:
Friends of the Earth Melbourne and National Toxics Network have released a major survey report on Pesticides in Surface Waters of Domestic Water Supplies under the control of Victorian Water Authorities. It identifies major concerns about pesticides in drinking water and makes a series of recommendations for land managers.

The report can be found at:
http://www.foe.org.au/news/2007/new-report-on-pesticides-in-domestic-drinking-water-catchments

The newly formed Climate Emergency Network that links groups and individuals working on the declaration of climate and sustainability emergency and on the achievement of a safe climate will be holding its second workshop on 25th May at Abbotsford Convent, 1 St Heliers St Abbotsford. Melway 44 G5.

The Climate Emergency Network (CEN) is a not-for-profit, non-politically-aligned network of community organisations that are campaigning for all governments to recognise and declare a state of climate and sustainability emergency in order to ensure we have a safe climate future for all people, all species, and all generations. The network aims to bring together the many Climate Action Groups and community organisations across the nation to work strategically together towards this goal.

The network has been established only 3 months and has over 70 members in Victoria, representing many existing Climate Action Groups. We welcome new people and groups to join the network. The Climate Emergency Network Charter is attached.

Please come along to meet with members of the Network.
• Hear how the work of the Network is developing and become involved in jobs and projects needing workers!
• View the latest version of the Climate Code Red slide show.
• Learn how to train as a presenter of the slide show and Climate Code Red emergency message.
• Hear how your Climate Action Group can become involved in a project to meet with your Local Community Leaders.
• Hear about plans to meet and discuss the Climate Emergency message with key policy makers and influential members of our society.
(A detailed agenda will be circulated closer to the date)

****Feeling creative??? The network is seeking ideas for a logo. We invite everyone to bring along their suggestions on the day. We will decide on a basic concept or logo with the option to pass them onto a graphic designer for development****

We would appreciate a donation to contribute to room hire expenses.

Lunch: We will have a late lunch break about 1.30pm to 2pm. Food is available at the Convent Cafes or BYO.
Getting there… by bike or foot: The Capital City cycling and walking path passes the site.
Getting there… by public transport:
Via Train: Victoria Park on the Epping/Hurstbridge line is the closest railway station. Buses 200, 201, 205 and 207 run along Johnson Street.
Via Bus: Catch the Garden City/Bulleen Bus 203 from the city in Lonsdale St, this will run along Johnson St. Get off at Clarke Street Bus Stop. (Make sure you are going in the Kew Junction direction). Turn left from Clarke Street into St. Heliers and follow the sign to The Collingwood Childrenís Farm. The entrance gates of the Convent are on the right before you reach the Farm.
Getting there… by car: Enter Clarke St from Johnson St, then left into St. Heliers Street. All day parking is available on the north side of St Heliers Street and costs $4.00(coins only). There is also 15 minute parking on the street. There is no vehicular access to the Convent site.

To RSVP or for more information contact: climatecodered @yahoo.com

The Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council in collaboration with the CRC for Construction Innovation is conducting a series of Sustainable Built Environment workshops.

Valuing Sustainable Commercial Buildings Workshops

27 May, 28 May, 30 May Location – Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne

These half day workshops focus on:
- valuation concepts with regards to commercial buildings
- the relevance of sustainability to specific value drivers
- differing role of property market stakeholders and how sustainability affects their perception of value
- a hands-on approach to considering different scenarios
- future trends in commercial building markets with regards to sustainability and value

Presented by Richard Reed, Professor of Property and Real Estate at Deakin University, his background includes real estate valuer in both the private and government sector. His current focus is on property and sustainability and he is editor and author for several national and international journals and publications for the property industry

For more information: http://www.slatteryit.com.au/crc_sustain_may08.html

Life Cycle Costing for Sustainable Commercial Buildings workshops

13 June, 16 June, 26 June

Location – Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney

Owners and users of buildings need to make informed decisions about the purchase of equipment and materials. Although initial capital cost is often the key criteria, ongoing costs should also be considered to achieve the best outcome. Life cycle costing is a method of identifying and calculating all the costs (current and future) over the life of an asset.
The focus will be on:
- the LCC methodology
- the use of Net Present Value (NPV) to calculate future cash flows
- discount rates, and their effects on LCC analysis
- examples of how LCC can be used in decision making for buildings
For more information: http://www.slatteryit.com.au/crc_sustain_jun08.html

Facilities Management for Sustainable Commercial Buildings

Location – Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney in July.

For more information http://www.slatteryit.com.au/crc_sustain_jul08.html

The Mayor and Councillors of Moreland City Council invite you to:

Embodied Energy
Embodied Energy investigates and highlights the engagement by contemporary artists with the concept of a sustainable art practice. It seeks to address the question: how do artists challenge or take responsibility for the materials and processes they use; the waste they generate; their ecological footprint and the possible environmental consequences?

Curated by Penny Algar and Edwina Bartlem
Artists: Tony Adams, Ros Bandt, Hannah Bertram, Lorraine Connelly-Northey, Mary-Louise Edwards, Mandy Gunn, Chaco Kato, Vin Ryan, Deb Taylor, Georgia Thorpe, Vicki West and Ilka White.

Official opening: 6pm – 8pm, Thursday 5 June 2008
To be officially opened by: Mayor Cr Joseph Caputo JP and Mike Hill, Chair Moreland Energy Foundation Ltd (MEFL)
Exhibition dates: Friday 6 June – Sunday 29 June 2008

Free Public Forum: 2 - 4 pm, Saturday 21 June 2008
This forum aims to encourage dialogue between artists, sustainability experts and the wider community on issues of art and sustainability, focusing on the possibilty of socially responsible art practices.
Bookings essential on 9389 8622.

Embodied Energy is supported through the Moreland Community Development Grants program, and Arts Victoria

Counihan Gallery In Brunswick
233 Sydney Road, Brunswick, VIC 3056
Wednesday to Saturday 11 am to 5 pm
Sunday 1 pm to 5 pm. Closed Public Holidays
Phone 03 9389 8622 Fax 03 9387 4048
counihangallery @moreland.vic.gov.au

Curator: Edwina Bartlem www.moreland.vic.gov.au
Front image: Robyn Cerretti, Arrival/Departure, 5/10/07, 2008, digital stills from video installation
Embodied energy art exhibition pdf