It was a big week end for all things sustainable with the Sustainable Living Festival on at Federation Square in Melbourne. For once it wasn’t 40 deg plus for the festival, which made for much more pleasant wandering around the stalls, and listening to the many & varied speakers discuss a range of sustainable topics. On today’s show we talk to a couple of people we ran into at the festival and give you an insight into how the festival went.
We also chat about Transition Towns and discover what they are and why we need them!
Check out the podcasts for all the details.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Transition Towns
One of the interesting talks at SLF was on Transition Towns. Now if you haven’t heard this expression – Transition towns – are a world wide initiative where a community gets together to address the 2 challenges of Peak oil and climate change. They work out a plan for how they, as a community can reduce their dependence on oil, and drastically reduce their ghg emissions, to help mitigate the impacts of climate change.
Far from a negative thing, TT are very positive. They offer solutions to the many problems with energy security, carbon emissions, food, and how we can learn to live with the inevitable changes to the way we live and work. ‘Transition Towns’ is an inspiring vision and action plan for how a community can transition to an energy lean, carbon constrained, and relocalised future that is abundant, sustainable, pleasurable, and resilient.
Transition Towns began in September 2006 and has since morphed into a worldwide movement with over 100 official Transition Towns, cities, counties, and islands, and several thousand who are considering this model for positive change.
Once a town embarks on the transition to an oil free / ghg reduction they can be officially recognised as a TT – there is a list at http://transitiontowns.org/TransitionNetwork/TransitionCommunities showing all the towns across the world that have are registered as TT. As you can see there are quite a few popping up in Australia from Bell in Geelong to the Sunshine Coast
The first TT was Totnes in England. They have around 20 projects going that are leading them towards their goals. These include bulk purchase of solar thermal kits for houses, helping business quantify their exposure to rising oil prices, and promotion of a local food guide. They even developed their own currency that is accepted in over 70 local shops – the Totnes Pound - to help support local businesses and to make people aware of shopping local and the benefit it brings.
Far from a negative thing, TT are very positive. They offer solutions to the many problems with energy security, carbon emissions, food, and how we can learn to live with the inevitable changes to the way we live and work. ‘Transition Towns’ is an inspiring vision and action plan for how a community can transition to an energy lean, carbon constrained, and relocalised future that is abundant, sustainable, pleasurable, and resilient.
Transition Towns began in September 2006 and has since morphed into a worldwide movement with over 100 official Transition Towns, cities, counties, and islands, and several thousand who are considering this model for positive change.
Once a town embarks on the transition to an oil free / ghg reduction they can be officially recognised as a TT – there is a list at http://transitiontowns.org/TransitionNetwork/TransitionCommunities showing all the towns across the world that have are registered as TT. As you can see there are quite a few popping up in Australia from Bell in Geelong to the Sunshine Coast
The first TT was Totnes in England. They have around 20 projects going that are leading them towards their goals. These include bulk purchase of solar thermal kits for houses, helping business quantify their exposure to rising oil prices, and promotion of a local food guide. They even developed their own currency that is accepted in over 70 local shops – the Totnes Pound - to help support local businesses and to make people aware of shopping local and the benefit it brings.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Climate Action Groups & the Climate Summit
Today we look at the rise and rise of the community climate action group. These groups have sprung up across the country and work towards making their community more climate friendly.
We talk to one mum, Coni Forcey who co-founded the Bayside Climate Action group and we find out what inspires people to start or join a group like this and what they achieve as part of these groups.
As you may be aware there was a big meeting of community climate action groups in Canberra last weekend at a Climate Action Summit. This was 3 days of workshops and information sessions designed to make the community sector more effective, while forming a grass-roots network, and to create a national strategy to help influence the Rudd government to be more active on climate. This was followed by a day of peaceful protests at Parliament house. Later on in the show we will talk to someone who attended the summit and find out what worked and what the vibe was like.
Check out the podcast for all the details.
We talk to one mum, Coni Forcey who co-founded the Bayside Climate Action group and we find out what inspires people to start or join a group like this and what they achieve as part of these groups.
As you may be aware there was a big meeting of community climate action groups in Canberra last weekend at a Climate Action Summit. This was 3 days of workshops and information sessions designed to make the community sector more effective, while forming a grass-roots network, and to create a national strategy to help influence the Rudd government to be more active on climate. This was followed by a day of peaceful protests at Parliament house. Later on in the show we will talk to someone who attended the summit and find out what worked and what the vibe was like.
Check out the podcast for all the details.
Community Climate Action Groups
With the advent of the Howard years and the general climate change denial and inaction going on from our political leaders, many frustrated and concerned individuals got together to form climate action groups. Across the country these groups popped up and set about doing a whole range of things. From political lobbying, to bulk buying of solar hot water systems, to community education and media stunts to raise awareness of climate change these groups have achieved a lot. They were instrumental in raising awarness of climate change and ensuring the howard govt was evicted. They continue their work today, and new groups are forming.
According to the Climate Action Centre in Melbourne there is around 50 climate action groups in Victoria and maybe around 200 Australia wide.
Some examples of what climate action have got themselves involved with include:
- Breeze – Ballarat group that has organised the bulk buying of SHW systems and solar panels. And then got a government grant to teach other climate action groups how to organise bulk buying of envioronmentla products
- Beyond Zero Emissions – believe that we need to move towards zero carbon emissions – and because of this more 'radical'apporach stepped away from other green groups who thought the target was too high. They do campaigns and advocacy to raise awareness and have a lot of speaking engagements to help raise the profile of the science behind a target of zero emissions. check them out on . www.beyondzeroemissions.org
- Families Facing Climate Change
Based in Ashburton, Melbourne this group is a concerned group of 10 families that want to make a difference. Their local member just happens to be Peter Costello, so prior to the election they lined him up talked all things green power and gave him a copy of Tim Flannery's 'The Weather Makers'. They also talked to their state member amd ran candidates before the last stae and federal elections. So it just goes to show that anyone can get political so get out there and talk to your MP asap!.
There is also a new Melbourne Moreland climate change group if anyone is interested. The next meeting takes place on Tuesday Feb 17th at the Coburg Library meeting room Cnr of Victoria and Louisa Streets, Coburg. For more info contact: ellenmroberts@yahoo.com.au
To check out the climate action groups near you go to Environment Victoria's website or try googling! Env Vic can also help with starting up a climate action group, so if there isn't one near you start one up yourself!
According to the Climate Action Centre in Melbourne there is around 50 climate action groups in Victoria and maybe around 200 Australia wide.
Some examples of what climate action have got themselves involved with include:
- Breeze – Ballarat group that has organised the bulk buying of SHW systems and solar panels. And then got a government grant to teach other climate action groups how to organise bulk buying of envioronmentla products
- Beyond Zero Emissions – believe that we need to move towards zero carbon emissions – and because of this more 'radical'apporach stepped away from other green groups who thought the target was too high. They do campaigns and advocacy to raise awareness and have a lot of speaking engagements to help raise the profile of the science behind a target of zero emissions. check them out on . www.beyondzeroemissions.org
- Families Facing Climate Change
Based in Ashburton, Melbourne this group is a concerned group of 10 families that want to make a difference. Their local member just happens to be Peter Costello, so prior to the election they lined him up talked all things green power and gave him a copy of Tim Flannery's 'The Weather Makers'. They also talked to their state member amd ran candidates before the last stae and federal elections. So it just goes to show that anyone can get political so get out there and talk to your MP asap!.
There is also a new Melbourne Moreland climate change group if anyone is interested. The next meeting takes place on Tuesday Feb 17th at the Coburg Library meeting room Cnr of Victoria and Louisa Streets, Coburg. For more info contact: ellenmroberts@yahoo.com.au
To check out the climate action groups near you go to Environment Victoria's website or try googling! Env Vic can also help with starting up a climate action group, so if there isn't one near you start one up yourself!
Monday, February 2, 2009
The Victorian Water crisis
As we soar through 40 deg days we can be secure in the knowledge that at least we will always have fresh, cooling water. But will we? Victoria’s damns are at historic lows, and long range forecasts and the impact of climate change suggest that most of Victoria will get less rainfall. There has been a lot of media about the desalination plant being built, the pipeline and the recent Target 155 water saving blitz. But will this solve our water problem and what is the best solution for Victoria?
Is it true that the desalination plant is necessary because our government has been too slack in planning? Did you know that more water flows out of Melbourne, via stormwater, waste water and wasted water than we consume?? The amount of stormwater in Metro Melbourne is around 400 billion litres / year and roughly equates to the total Melbourne water usage - so why isn’t stormwater a large part of the water solution for Melbourne? The desalination plant is going to provide 150 billion litres a year of very expensive water – we have figures to suggest that the average consumer is better off installing a water tank and reducing their water consumption to a minimum!!
We will talk to 2 people in the know on today’s show! Sheryl West from Yarra Valley Water will tell us about the Target 155 and how this will impact Victoria’s water supply, and Professor Peter Coombes from Bonacci Water will talk about what water solutions are best for Victoria and clear up some of the muddy water around water tanks and desalination plants!
Check out the podcasts for all the details.
Is it true that the desalination plant is necessary because our government has been too slack in planning? Did you know that more water flows out of Melbourne, via stormwater, waste water and wasted water than we consume?? The amount of stormwater in Metro Melbourne is around 400 billion litres / year and roughly equates to the total Melbourne water usage - so why isn’t stormwater a large part of the water solution for Melbourne? The desalination plant is going to provide 150 billion litres a year of very expensive water – we have figures to suggest that the average consumer is better off installing a water tank and reducing their water consumption to a minimum!!
We will talk to 2 people in the know on today’s show! Sheryl West from Yarra Valley Water will tell us about the Target 155 and how this will impact Victoria’s water supply, and Professor Peter Coombes from Bonacci Water will talk about what water solutions are best for Victoria and clear up some of the muddy water around water tanks and desalination plants!
Check out the podcasts for all the details.
Water Water
Will Gary’s bucket save Melbourne and Victoria’s water crisis?? As we heard from our two interviews we think not….but it might help. So besides harassing your local politicians about water solutions, checking out environmental websites (Env Victoria have an alternative water solution that is worth checking out on www.envict.org.au/ ) and generally getting involved in the water debate, what can you do at home to reduce your water usage and smash that 155litre target???
Well we have compiled the top 8 (auspicious Chinese number) ways to save water around the home……………see how many you are doing or can commit to do:
1. Reduce your shower time to under 3mins – I can do it so why can’t you??
2. Change your showerhead to a FREE water efficient shower head
3. Fix any leaks NOW!!
4. buy a bucket for the heat up water in the shower
5. use grey water on the garden (from the shower, or the washing machine if you use low sodium, low phosphate detergents) – safely!
6. can you fit rain water tanks in your yard anywhere – under a deck? Along a fence line? Then put a giant sign outside your house saying “Tank water in use – that is why my grass is so green and yours is brown and shriveled”
7. don’t waste food - a lot of water went into producing that
8. eat less diary - a heap of water goes into production of milk
Well we have compiled the top 8 (auspicious Chinese number) ways to save water around the home……………see how many you are doing or can commit to do:
1. Reduce your shower time to under 3mins – I can do it so why can’t you??
2. Change your showerhead to a FREE water efficient shower head
3. Fix any leaks NOW!!
4. buy a bucket for the heat up water in the shower
5. use grey water on the garden (from the shower, or the washing machine if you use low sodium, low phosphate detergents) – safely!
6. can you fit rain water tanks in your yard anywhere – under a deck? Along a fence line? Then put a giant sign outside your house saying “Tank water in use – that is why my grass is so green and yours is brown and shriveled”
7. don’t waste food - a lot of water went into producing that
8. eat less diary - a heap of water goes into production of milk
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