Posts Tagged ‘behaviour change’
Environment Victoria’s Flemington Green: Project Update
Posted in Movements, Seeking by Kate Archdeacon on January 19th, 2012
Photos from Flemington Green
From “Flemington women showing the way” from Environment Victoria:
Recruited by our Community Consultant, Iman Barabiaa, another group of Flemington residents have just completed their Flemington Green sustainable living training. The 16 women are from East African countries (Eritrea, Ethiopia and South Sudan), Turkey and Yemen and all reside on the Flemington public housing estate. The women have attended workshops on saving energy and saving water (with a guest presentation from City West Water), held by Environment Victoria at the Flemington Community Centre in November 2011. The group also visited SKM Recycling in Coolaroo to learn about waste and recycling – and we enjoyed a lunch of Turkish kebabs together in Broadmeadows.
They’ve told us they’ve learn a lot. Many participants, being new to Australia and having lived in countries where water and sanitation conditions are quite different, were very impressed to learn that Melbourne’s tap water does not have to be boiled before drinking, and said they’d keep that energy saving tip in mind. The visit to SKM showed the sheer scale of recycling that happens every day in Melbourne and the vast amounts of energy these processes require. Many participants said they’ll be talking to their friends about the need to recycle carefully and to reduce the amount of rubbish we throw away. Not all Flemington residents have the luxury of being able to recycle at home, but with the new recycling pilot program on the estate continuing to progress well, more and more will gain the opportunity.
After the energy saving workshop, each participant told us she went home and started taking action, such as switching off appliances at the wall; unplugging the mobile phone charger when it’s not being used (it still draws power even when it’s not charging); talking to her sister in her home about energy-guzzling down-lights and giving a presentation about ways to save energy in her English class.
New knowledge and motivation, and new environmental action – these Flemington women are showing the way for their community to take green action.
>> Find out more about Environment Victoria’s Flemington Green project.
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Insight: How the Dutch got their cycling infrastructure
Posted in Models by Kate Archdeacon on December 28th, 2011
From “How the Dutch got their cycle paths” by Sarah Goodyear for Project for Public Spaces:
Given the reputation of the Netherlands as a cyclist’s paradise, you might think that its extensive cycling infrastructure came down from heaven itself, or was perhaps created by the wave of a magic wand. Not so. It was the result of a lot of hard work, including massive street protests and very deliberate political decision-making.
The video [click through below] offers vital historical perspective on the way the Netherlands ended up turning away from the autocentric development that arose with postwar prosperity, and chose to go down the cycle path. It lists several key factors, including public outrage over the amount of space given to automobiles; huge protests over traffic deaths, especially those of children, which were referred to by protesters as “child murder”; and governmental response to the oil crisis of the 1970s, which prompted efforts to reduce oil dependence without diminishing quality of life.
The Netherlands is often perceived as an exceptional nation in terms of its transportation policies and infrastructure. And yet there is nothing inherently exceptional about the country’s situation. As the narrator says at the end of the film, “The Netherlands’ problems were and are not unique. Their solutions shouldn’t be that either.”
Watch the video. It’s inspiring (“…it seems so simple”) and frustrating (“aaargh…it seems so simple!”) at the same time.
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Cultivating Green Art: Ideas & Solutions For Environmental Sustainability
Posted in Events by Kate Archdeacon on November 18th, 2011
| 24 November , 2011 | ||
| 5:20 pm | to | 7:30 pm |
City of Melbourne, TippingPoint Australia and the Danish Arts Agency have combined to bring you some of Melbourne and Copenhagen’s most exciting cultural innovators as they discuss how they see the artists in their cities respond to the challenge of environmental sustainability. Contribute to the Café Conversations style evening and have interactive creative conversations on the issues they raise.
Speakers
- Karen Blincoe – Graphic Designer, Environmentalist and Director International Centre for Creativity Innovation and Sustainability, Denmark
- Miyuki Jokiranta – Journalist and Managing Director, Seven Thousand Oaks, Melbourne
- Martin Mulligan – Director RMIT Globalism Research Centre, Melbourne
- Katrine Vejby – Journalist and Radio Producer, Founding Festival Director of co2penhagen, Denmark
Facilitator: Angharad Wynne-Jones – Director of TippingPoint Australia, Melbourne
Date: Thursday 24 November 2011
Time: 5.00pm for 5.20 start to 7.30pm. NOTE EARLY TIME
Venue: Melbourne Town Hall, Supper Room, Swanston Street, Melbourne
FREE ENTRY BOOKINGS ARE ESSENTAIL. Call 0421 642012 and leave a message or visit http://www.trybooking.com/ZNO to register.
A joint presentation by TippingPoint Australia and Melbourne Conversations. Supported by the Danish Arts Agency and ³State of Green. Join the Future. Think Denmark, Sydney and Melbourne 20-24 November 2011.
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Carrotmob Dinner to Fund a Restaurant Veggie Patch
Posted in Events by Kate Archdeacon on November 15th, 2011
| 17 November , 2011 | ||
| 5:30 pm | to | 7:30 pm |
Do you want to go out for dinner this Thursday, maybe a drink too? An Evening Mob with Pizza, Peroni, Music & more….
Il Pomodoro at Fed Square & Carrotmob call on Melbourne to support sustainable food! Il Pomodoro Italian Restaurant located at Federation Square, Melbourne is committing 100% of its profit from 5.30pm-7.30pm Thursday 17th November to the expansion of a Vegie Patch and Herb Garden. So come help us ‘mob’ Il Pomodoro – eat and drink Italian and know that your dollars are helping to support deliciously sustainable cuisine and reduce food miles.
This very first evening mob will feature pizza & Peroni deals, as well as great home-style Italian favourites, al fresco dining and music by Matt Wicking from The General Assembly. Come past for a quick after-work drink, dinner with friends or even coffee and dessert. Take-away available for carrots in a rush.
What’s carrotmob? We harness the power of the consumer dollar to support local businesses to take steps to become more sustainable! We’re the opposite of a boycott!
http://carrotmobmelbourne.wordpress.com/
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Sustainable Apartment Living: SOCs & Blocks Round 3
Posted in Movements, Seeking by Kate Archdeacon on November 8th, 2011
Source: Port Philip EcoCentre
SOCs & Blocks (short for Sustainable Owners Corporations and Apartment Blocks) is a program to encourage the uptake of sustainable technology and practices in the operation of apartment buildings in the City of Port Phillip.
Through this program, Council works with owner’s corporations (formerly called body corporates) to increase the energy and water efficiency of common areas and common services, as well as improving the level of diversion of waste from landfill and the uptake of sustainable transport through improvement of facilities improvement and education. The central plank of the program involves council engaging a consultant to undertake a sustainability assessment of the participating buildings. The ultimate aim is to reduce the environmental footprint of participating apartment blocks. Council’s Toward Zero Sustainable Environment Strategy indicates that council will work with the community to reduce energy and water consumption, and this program works toward the goals in that strategy.
The third round of SOCs and Blocks is now OPEN so please register your interest by Friday 9 December 2011.
This program is FREE to join and the sustainability assessment of your block is also FREE.
Read more about the program, including participant experiences and registration details.
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Detroit’s Urban Roots: The Big Picture at Ross House
Posted in Events by Kate Archdeacon on November 7th, 2011
| 8 November , 2011 | ||
| 6:00 pm | to | 8:00 pm |
Photo credit: Urban Roots Film
The industrial powerhouse of a lost American era has died, and the skeleton left behind is present-day Detroit. But now, against all odds in the empty lots, in the old factory yards, and in-between the sad, sagging blocks of company housing, seeds of change are taking root. A small group of dedicated citizens, allied with environmental and academic groups, have started an urban environmental movement with the potential to transform not just a city after its collapse, but also a country after the end of its industrial age. >>More about Urban Roots
On the first Tuesday of every month (except public holidays), Ross House presents The Big Picture – films for environmental and social justice. Entry is by donation, the proceeds of which go towards environmental action. Sometimes this means that it goes to the group hosting the event, or it goes to greening Ross House. Mulled wine and popcorn are always available (also by donation), and usually we have a group chat about the issue being watched. It’s a lot of freaking fun. >>More about The Big Picture
Next screening, URBAN ROOTS, on Tuesday 8 November 2011 at 6pm at Ross House, 247 Flinders Lane, Melbourne.
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St Kilda Community Kitchen: Renovated and Reopened
Posted in Movements by Kate Archdeacon on November 2nd, 2011
Via Port Philip Urban Fresh Food Network (PPUFFN)
“The kitchen is back in operation after recent renovations and the room looks fantastic. It’s great to see delicious dishes, aromas, and laughter filling the kitchen once more.” PPUFFN October Newsletter
The St Kilda Community Kitchen is a community-run weekly activity that is based on the idea that we all get stuck on cooking the same recipes day in, day out. But, while those recipes might be tired and boring to one person, they’re completely new and exciting to others! Each week people from backgrounds come together to have fun socialising and cooking, all the while expanding their cooking repertoire. So if you’ve ever wanted to learn a few more cooking skills, this is a great and engaging way to do it!
With everybody pitching in their ideas and skills in this way, you don’t need to be an expert to join in the fun, since it’s really about enjoying the experience of cooking in a relaxed and friendly group setting. In this way, a fantastic group cohesion is created that strengthens the local St Kilda community on the journey to preparing a delicious feast!
WHEN: Every Monday from 6:30pm ’til around 8:30pm. Come and stay for as much or as little as you like!
WHERE: Corner of 114 Inkerman St & Bath St, St Kilda. Enter off Bath St and look for the signs pointing to the Community Room.
COST: FREE!! All you’ll need to prepare a delicious feast is provided, just be sure to bring your appetite!
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The St Kilda Community Kitchen uses food that is kindly provided by SecondBite. SecondBite is an innovate organisation dedicated to the redistribution of surplus fresh food from local food donors directly to local community groups. This sustainable and award winning program was created in 2009 to further SecondBite’s mission of making a positive difference to people by identifying sources of surplus fresh food that might otherwise go to waste. SecondBite is always looking to engage more volunteers. For more information on how you can be involved, go to secondbite.org.
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Drinking Water: New service models in Melbourne
Posted in Movements by Kate Archdeacon on October 13th, 2011
Photo by Harry Troedel
Article by Kate Archdeacon:
Last week the Southbank Campus of the Victorian College of the Arts stopped selling bottled water through its vending machines, bars and cafés, with the support of staff, students, commercial tenants and Sharyn Lowe from Do Something! Water is now available through public water fountains (Aquabubblers) across the campus, as well as in the ReSauce café on site. Harry Troedel, Sustainability Manager, Implementation, at the University of Melbourne, explained that including the café tenants in discussions about the move away from bottled water allowed them to make decisions about the services they could offer instead. As a result, ReSauce now owns and operates a Freshie water vending machine. Patrons can refill their bottles from the machine, with prices varying depending on what type of water they buy. The choices range from chilled, filtered, sparkling, and flavoured water, with prices coming out at considerably less than a single-use bottle. The water from the Aquabubblers is the same quality and temperature as tap water, so the café has an opportunity to provide a point of difference.
As part of the initiative launch, Vestal Water gave away some of their stainless steel water bottles. Vestal Water are developing new services around water supply – they have a V.I.P. card which allows the bearer to refill their water bottle for free at participating outlets (cafes, service stations etc) on purchase of a hot drink, and they are developing a refill station map to support this promotion. Mr. Troedel says that Hairy Little Sista, the bar at Council House 2 (CH2) has replaced their bottled water with a Vestal Water system.
Shifting water consumption away from throwaway packaging while still providing quality products has been proposed as a great product-service-system in many student designs we’ve seen at VEIL. It’s great to see some real-world examples emerging in Melbourne.
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Community Power Conference: Australian communities taking charge of their energy use
Posted in Events, Research by Kate Archdeacon on October 12th, 2011
| 14 October , 2011 | ||
| 15 October , 2011 |
Are you looking for practical, achievable ways to reduce the impact of electricity price rises in your community? The Community Power Conference: Australian Communities Taking Charge, aims to showcase how regional Australian communities: are developing innovative energy projects, helping to reduce local economic shocks can take practical action to hedge against rising energy prices.
14 -15 November, The Capital – Bendigo Performing Arts Centre, View Street, Bendigo
The Centre for Sustainable Regional Communities, in its third biennial conference on renewable energy, is partnering with the Central Victoria Solar City project, part of the Australian Government’s Solar Cities program, and the City of Greater Bendigo, to deliver an exciting exploration of current energy efficiency and renewable energy strategies and actions being taken by Australian communities. This conference will show your community what it can do with regard to:
- more efficient use of energy in homes and businesses
- more effective demand management to smooth peak energy loads, and
- developing local, renewable energy generators embedded within the national distribution network.
The conference will bring together leaders in the renewable energy industry including government, industry associations and communities which have adopted sustainable strategies built on innovative, renewable energy business models. Speakers will engage with community and municipality leaders:
- Outlining and developing comprehensive strategies for local and regional energy sustainability (identifying appropriate business models, overcoming policy barriers, engaging your community, knowing your technology options);
- Showcasing examples of regional communities that have already, or are in the process of putting such strategies in place; and,
- Reviewing and developing communities’ local and regional energy sustainability policy and programs.
If your community is facing increased energy costs and you would like to learn how to address this issue at the local level then this conference can help you. Follow the link below for more information.
www.centralvictoriasolarcity.com.au/special-projects/communitypower
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Intro to Organic Gardening: Free workshop
Posted in Events by kheffer on October 11th, 2011
| 15 October , 2011 | ||
| 10:00 am | to | 12:00 pm |
We’ll help you take those very first steps to grow your own food covering the basics of soil, water wise gardening, natural pest control, organic fertilising and no-dig gardening.
When: Saturday 15 October, 10-12pm
Where: Strathmore Heights Community Centre,1 Boeing Rd, Strathmore Heights
Workshops are free. To book, please email contactus@mysmartgarden.org.au or call 9932 1142
Now that the weather’s warmed up, we’ve got some great FREE spring gardening workshops to really get you going!
More sustainable gardening workshops here.
The My Smart Garden program helps residents use their back yards, balconies or courtyards to live more sustainably by growing their own food, shading their home, recycling wastes and using water wisely. As well as access to workshops, Moonee Valley and Hobsons Bay residents who sign up to the My Smart Garden program receive smart gardening information, discounts from local garden suppliers and can win great prizes every month. You could win a rain garden worth $500 in October and a Fowler’s preserving kit worth $250 in November.
If you live outside these council areas, you’re still welcome to attend workshops and sign up for the program, but ineligible for prizes.
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