Posts Tagged ‘discussion’
Your Money or Your Life
Posted in Events by samgreen on October 10th, 2011
| 16 October , 2011 | ||
| 10:00 am | to | 12:00 pm |
Photo by Rubbermaid Products via flickr CC
Based on the bestselling book ‘Your Money or Your Life’ , this session explores ways in which you can simplify your life and financial goals; align spending habits with personal values in order to save money, promote a sense of fulfilment and reduce consumer impact on the environment; and reduce over-consumption and clutter.
Date: Sunday 16 October 2011, 10.00am – 12.00pm
Location: Blackwood Street Neighbourhood House, 114 Blackwood Street, Yarraville
Presenter: Grace Girardi, Maribyrnong City Council
To register for this session, please visit ww.maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/greening or for further information contact council’s Sustainability Officer on 9688 0357
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Seven Billion: It’s Getting Crowded in Here!
Posted in Events, Opinion, Research by Kate Archdeacon on October 7th, 2011
| 12 October , 2011 | ||
| 6:15 pm | to | 7:30 pm |
Photo by bricoleurbanism via flickr CC
High density living is great for the environment, right? But what does it do to our heads and hearts? The Australian psyche was moulded by the myth of the ‘wide brown land’, so what might life packed like sardines look and feel like? With the world’s seven billionth person is about to be born, can we learn from the Asian megacity experience? And will we still be sharing a cup of sugar with our neighbours? As the population debate gets mental, we’re going in search of the soul in urban sprawl.
Hosted by Natasha Mitchell and featuring Kim Dovey, Helen Killmier, Bernard Salt and Sein-Way Tan.
Presented in partnership with ABC Radio National. Free event, bookings highly recommended.
The Wheeler Centre, 6:15PM – 7:30PM, Wednesday 12 October 2011
http://wheelercentre.com/calendar/event/seven-billion-it-s-getting-crowded-in-here/
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Support renewable energy in Bendigo: Thursday 29th
Posted in Events, Movements by Kate Archdeacon on September 26th, 2011
| 29 September , 2011 | ||
| 12:30 pm | to | 1:30 pm |
Source: Mt Alexander Sustainability Group Inc (MASG)
Photo: Launch of Mt Barker Community Wind Farm in Western Australia
Help us hand over an invitation to the Premier Mr. Baillieu to come to Castlemaine for a public presentation of the Mount Alexander Sustainability Group (MASG) community wind power project.
The Coalition government recently BANNED COMMUNITY WIND FARMS from the Mount Alexander Shire and City of Bendigo east of the Calder freeway and gave us NO REASON WHY. At the same time the Coalition government has announced the biggest expansion of COAL AND GAS MINING & EXPLORATION IN DECADES and is supporting a NEW PRIVATELY OWNED COAL POWER STATION with $50 M taxpayers’ money. We want to invite the Premier to Castlemaine so that he understands the social, environmental and financial benefits of community-owned wind power and supports renewable energy.
Show your support for community owned renewable energy this Thursday the 29th of September at 12.30pm at the Bendigo office of the Premier Level 1 56-60 King Street Bendigo
If you can’t make it send a message to the Premier Ted Baillieu and let him know how you feel 9651 5000 or ted.baillieu@parliament.vic.gov.au and ring or email Damian Drum, 5443-6277 damian.drum@parliament.vic.gov.au our Upper House member and Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Development. Tell them you want a wind industry in Victoria, that the wind industry is good for regional economies, farmers and Councils and the environment and you support a Community wind farm in the Mt Alexander Shire and want the blanket ban reversed.
For more information contact Dean on 0448 327 791 or dc@masg.org.
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Urban Infrastructure: Towards a Sustainable Economy?
Posted in Events by unaavic on August 26th, 2011
| 14 September , 2011 | ||
| 5:45 pm | to | 7:45 pm |
UNAA Earth Summit Series 2011: Urban Infrastructure: Towards a Sustainable Economy?
In the lead up to the next United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) in June 2012, the UNAA Victoria Earth Summit Series examines Victoria’s transition to a green economy in the context of the two themes of Rio+20: a green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication; and the institutional framework for sustainable development. The upcoming UNAA Victoria Earth Summit event will discuss Victoria’s urban infrastructure and Melbourne’s progress towards becoming a sustainable city.
Guest Speaker: Professor Rob Adams
Architect and urban designer, Rob Adams has been at the nerve centre of the revitalisation of the City of Melbourne and surrounds and numerous redevelopments and flagship buildings bear his mark and influence. Acquiring perspectives in urban design from Africa and the UK Rob moved on to adopt Australia in the early eighties. A Professorial Fellow at The University of Melbourne since 2004 and lecturer in demand at RMIT, Rob’s passion is now turning toward the liveability of Victoria while addressing its growth.
Forum Discussion
Rob Gell will facilitate a discussion following Rob’s presentation and will invite contributions from members of the audience. The issues of sustainable development and infrastructure as they relate to transport, Melbourne’s CBD, metropolitan areas, regional Victoria and rural areas will be explored in this stimulating and thought provoking forum.
5.45pm, Wednesday 14 September, 2011
Allens Arthur Robinson
530 Collins St, Melbourne
RSVP Essential. For more information and RSVP form please visit the UNAA Victoria website or contact us on: (03) 9670 7878 or events@unaavictoria.org.au
Updates posted on Facebook and Twitter @unaavic
The Future of the Electricity Network in Australia
Posted in Events by Kate Archdeacon on August 23rd, 2011
| 24 August , 2011 | ||
| 6:30 pm | to | 8:00 pm |
Effective and efficient transmission of electric power from generators to consumers is a vital part of the electricity system. Australia’s national transmission network is the longest AC system in the world, extending 5000km from Queensland to Tasmania to Port Augusta, supplying 19 million residents. As demand continues to grow and the penetration of renewables on the grid increases, the national transmission network will require significant extensions and upgrades. But what is the optimal design to support a very different energy system in the 21st century? Variable and distributed generation and potential large storage systems (such as an electric vehicle fleet) make this a diabolical question that the panel of experts will address in detail.
Wednesday August 24, from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM
Sidney Myer Asia Centre, Carrillo Gartner Theatre
Corner Swanston Street & Monash Road
The University of Melbourne
Carlton
Visit the booking site for more details or to register your attendance
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The recent extreme weather: A scientific perspective
Posted in Events by Kate Archdeacon on February 25th, 2011
| 1 March , 2011 | ||
| 6:00 pm | to | 7:30 pm |
Image: NASA Goddard Photo and Video via flickr CC
From monster cyclones in Queensland to floods in Victoria, bushfires in Perth, heat waves in Russia, snow storms in Europe… in the last year the world in general, and Australia in particular, seem to have experienced a large number of extreme weather events. Were these events due to normal climate fluctuations or to climate change? – And does this question even make sense? Please join us to hear from prominent climate scientists about how unusual these events were and what the science knows – and doesn’t know – about what caused them.
How extreme is the recent extreme weather?
Dr Karl Braganza, Manager of Climate Monitoring at the National Climate Centre of the Bureau of Meteorology
La Niña, cyclones, mozzies, and myxo
Professor Neville Nicholls, ARC Professorial Fellow in the School of Geography and Environmental Science at Monash University, and President of the Australian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society
Extreme weather and climate change
Professor David Karoly, ARC Federation Fellow and Professor of Meteorology in the School of Earth Sciences at the University of Melbourne
Tuesday, 1 March 2011, 6:00–7:30 pm
Village Roadshow Theatrette, State Library of Victoria (Entry 3, 179 La Trobe Street, Melbourne)
All welcome and no bookings required.
For further information, contact: msi-seminars “at” monash.edu
Presented by the Monash Sustainability Institute, the Melbourne Sustainable Society Institute, and the Melbourne Centre of the Australian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society.
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Solar Power: Taking a Long Term View
Posted in Opinion, Research by Kate Archdeacon on November 24th, 2010
Source: Moreland Energy Foundation
Moreland Energy Foundation have published a considered perspective on the solar power debate on their advocacy blog, outlining current criticisms and sensible responses:
“People interested in solar power may have noticed an increase in media attention to solar recently, following the NSW Premier’s decision to dramatically reduce the NSW feed-in-tariff.
Some media reporting has drawn a link between solar and other renewable energy policies (including feed-in-tariffs) and electricity price rises, and some reports have gone so far as to suggest that solar schemes are heading the same way as home insulation. This article attempts to explain the costs, benefits and objectives of solar energy policies, and dispel some of the myths surrounding these policies.”
Read the full article at mefladvocacy.blogspot.com
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Beyond Engineering – The Value Of Water & Other Natural Resources: Public Lecture
Posted in Events, Research by Kate Archdeacon on August 16th, 2010
Image: noodle_snacks via flickr CC
Dr Brian Davidson, Senior Lecturer, Department of Resource Management, University of Melbourne:
Technologists spend significant effort delivering natural resources, but the context we work in is economic. Water is a critical resource, but without an understanding of its value, water delivery projects are problematical. Is water overvalued or undervalued?
Catchment Management Authorities (the true suppliers of water) cannot readily alter prices, raising them to update or improve infrastructure or reducing them to sell more water.
According to market theory the absence of a functioning market in water means that it isn’t priced correctly, so how is it possible to make a meaningful rational decision on whether to invest in new infrastructure or undertake some economic adjustment? If water were traded more freely would water be allocated so that it maximised social benefit? Or could it be that the desired outcomes that are believed to come from the market may not be achieved?
The same may be considered true for many natural resources. The aim in this talk is to examine these theoretical and practical questions, to make a judgement call on whether they hold and in light of that to suggest an alternative way some of the benefits that are meant to be derived from a free market may be delivered to all water users.
Wednesday 18th August 2010 6:00pm
Theatre 3, Alan Gilbert Building (Cnr of Grattan St & Barry St)
The University of Melbourne
Public welcome — no entry charge
Presented by IEEE Society on Social Implications of Technology
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Creating Sustainable Neighbourhoods: State of Design Forum
Posted in Events by Kate Archdeacon on July 14th, 2010
© Jacqui Monie, University of Melbourne
Creating Sustainable Neighbourhoods will explore how behavioural change and precinct development interrelate. Together, these forces can create sustainable neighbourhoods. This forum demonstrates how design plays a critical role in creating vibrant, sustainable development. We will also explore the role of design in creating sustainable outcomes through innovative building projects, urban and infrastructure design and by creating strategic frameworks.
A sustainable precinct is more than just sustainable built forms. It also requires the support of a sustainable community; new practices and patterns of living. Yet how do we sell the benefits of sustainable futures? Individuals respond to visionary ideas, especially if they can see them translated into real actions. For example, five or six star green star buildings have set new benchmarks that others have been inspired to follow. In light of this, what might a 10 star green star precinct and community look like? The forum presents a number of iconic projects that are currently inspiring change and encouraging innovative design practice.
The forum is aimed at those in design and non-design fields with an interest in the contribution of designers and the design process in creating sustainable neighbourhoods. It demonstrates how designers collaborate with diverse stakeholder groups and the key role designer’s play in activities such as master planning and community interaction. The forum includes the presentation of case studies from guest speakers, a Q&A panel discussion and a chance for audience members to envision elements of a sustainable precinct in a collaborative workshop exercise.
Come learn, collaborate and innovate.
Friday 23 July, 2010, 10.00am – 12.30pm
Free, registration for forum essential: stateofdesignrsvp@sustainability.vic.gov.au
Village Roadshow Theatrette
State Library of Victoria
328 Swanston Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
Presented by Sustainability Victoria, Sponsored by Victorian Eco Innovation Lab (VEIL)
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The Cities We Need: Report
Posted in Research by Kate Archdeacon on June 30th, 2010
The Grattan Institute has released their report, “The Cities We Need”. This is the first report from the Cities Program, and aims to set an agenda for thinking about the future of Australia’s cities.
The report asks how our cities meet the individual needs of their residents, both material and psychological, and identifies emerging challenges to meeting these needs. One conclusion that emerges is that while social interaction is critical for human thriving, it has not been a focus of analysis about cities in the past.
The report also describes cities as systems with complex interdependencies. As a result, attempts to meet one need may have unintended consequences for other needs. The governance and management of our cities has not always taken these interdependencies – and resultant trade-offs – into account.
The report does not conclude with solutions or prescriptions, but rather lays out ten questions about our urban future that we must get serious about.
As we manage growth and change in Australian cities, how bold are we prepared to be to get the cities we really need?
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