SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER

 Welcome to the September SLS newsletter. We will endeavour to bring you information about a range of events about sustainability, both local and further abroad. This month includes details about the September SLS Green Film Night – please note that booking is essential to bdettethomas@gmail.com, as well as the SLS Community Forus and Sustainability Education in the Maroondah and Manningham Community Houses.

We will be happy to advertise local events or activities, so please forward details to the Sustainable Living Space project@sustainablelivingspace.org.au.

SUSTAINABLE LIVING SPACE PROJECT COMMUNITY FORUM

The Sustainable Living Space Project invites you to attend a Community Forum on Thursday October 8, at 7.00pm at the Federation Estate, Greenwood Avenue, Ringwood.

This will be an opportunity to be updated on the findings of our research in 2008, and progress in 2009 towards implementing the findings.

 Please assist us to arrange catering by calling North Ringwood Community House – 9876 3421 by October 2 to RSVP.

  WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO KNOW?

The Sustainable Living Space Project is committed to offering educational opportunities that will assist you in becoming more sustainable. To assist us in our program development, we would appreciate your suggestions on subjects you would like to learn more about.

 These subjects could relate house and garden, how to shop ethically and sustainably, home reno’s, personal care, resurrecting the old crafts, mending for beginners, the spirituality of sustainability… and I’m sure there are many more!

Please send your ideas to project@sustainablelivingspace.org.au

 SUSTAINABLITY COURSES IN COMMUNITY HOUSES IN TERM 3

 The Sustainable Living Space Project is offering a variety of courses in sustainability through the Community House. For a course of interest in a House near you, check out the information below and the community house websites.

TERM 4 :

 Q: What do spaghnum moss, bamboo, hemp, almonds, fish oil, and recycled paper have in common?

Come along to “You too can be a green Domestic God/dess!” and find the answer.

 WHAT’S ON?

30 August  2pm – 4.30pm CLIMATE JUSTICE –Our ethical responsibility

Speakers:

• Prof David De Kretser AC, Governor of Australia, Fellow of the Aus Academy of Science and the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering.
• Sr Anne Boyd, Coordinator of Earthsong Project
• Tito Tapuonga, born in Tuvalu

Join us to discuss climate justice actions, Copenhagen climate talks, sustainable living, organic gardening, transition towns, reducing Greenhouse emissions and more.

Info: 9455 2581 Organized by the Social Justice Comm, Banyule Network of Uniting Churches.

Ivanhoe Uniting Church Seddon Street MEL 31 F8

8 – 9 Sept

National Conference –  “THE FUTURE IS RELOCALISATION – COMMUNITIES IN TRANSITION”.   

Reflecting on a future where we create more community control over our socio-cultural and economic systems to ensure that local communities operate within their ecological limits and maximize their potential to function as healthy, resilient and inclusive societies and economies.

Organised by the MAV with support from the Bank of Ideas and Village Well.

Info:  John Hennessy  jhennessy@mav.asn.au     www.bankofideas.com.au

www.mav.asn.au/CA256C320013CB4B/Lookup/relocalisation0909/$file/relocalisation.pdf               

 12 – 13 Sept PEACEFUL COMMUNITY MASS CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE to switch off Hazelwood and switch of coal – taking action for renewable energy.
The first in a series of national fun, creative and inspiring community mass civil disobedience actions at one of the main causes of climate change – coal burning power stations.
There are many opportunities for people to get involved in making this event happen from joining the creative collective, media team, community outreach group.

Info about the event, or how to get involved, info@switchoffhazelwood.org or come along to our weekly organising meetings every Thursday, 6pm at the Climate Action Centre.

www.switchoffhazelwood.org   hazelwoodaction@twitter

17 Sept 6.45pm – 9pm RENOVATING SUSTAINABLY – Climate change science update Sustainable Homes Program

 Sustainable Living Seminar Program

Bookings: eepadmin@manningham.vic.gov.au  9840 9129

19 Sept 1pm – 2.30pm Going Green Solution Workshop –  PRACTICAL & SIMPLE GREEN HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS: LIVING MORE SUSTAINABLY hands-on workshop Modern Cloth Nappies & accessories

Going Green Solutions, 937 Main Rd, HURSTBRIDGE

RSVP 9718 0126 or info@goinggreensolutions.com.au   www.goinggreensolutions.com.au

20 – 26 September

CLIMATE WEEK

The project partners have explored a range of potential sites and models for establishing the Sustainable Living Space. Our research and dialogue across the region suggests that local communities are planning to establish model centres by retrofitting existing community buildings and developing community gardens. There is a range of educational opportunities throughout the region – including Council workshops, community houses, private provides and TAFE.

In time, this will address the need for demonstration models illustrating various sustainable technologies, as well as educational opportunities.
Rather than duplicate other projects, project partners concluded that a office / shopfront in a commercial centre such as Eastland offers the benefits of centrality, visibility and accessibility to achieve our objectives.

Expected Outcomes:

Provision a site in Eastland will provide opportunity for:

• Increased community awareness of the Sustainable Living Space project
• Easy access by the community to information and resources that promote sustainability
• Increased community participation in the development of the Sustainable Living Space
• Information, referral and advice to the community about sustainability issues
• A central resource centre for existing environmental groups and initiatives in the Outer East
• A meeting place for interested groups and individuals
• An opportunity for further consultation with the community in order to better identify and address needs about development of sustainable lifestyle
• A central and accessible space in which to hold community forums and Green Film Nights
• A focus for the Sustainable Living Space Project Community Reference Group to develop
• A hub in which community links and partnerships may be developed, enhanced and strengthened as various community groups work collectively and collaboratively to develop the Sustainable Living Space
• Support of Council policy directions with respect to sustainability, community building, and resource management – including further community education programs, fostering community links, promotion of Council environmental management programs ( eg bulk purchase programs)

All the physical things that we need for life – food, water, air, shelter, clothing – come in some way from the earth on which we live. The societies in which we live and the economies that societies create exist within and depend on the natural world. There are three dimensions of sustainability – environmental, social and economic – which are known as the “three pillars”; the economy exists within a society or human population, and a society exists within the biosphere or totality of life on Earth. These pillars cannot expand beyond the capacity of the whole or total system in which they exist.

Sustainability can thus be defined as “improving the quality of human life while living within the carrying capacity of the supporting eco-systems“.

Our Economy and Society are bounded by the Environment

Environmental Sustainability is the ability to maintain the qualities that are valued in the natural environment.

Why do we need to think about this?

Recently, many events have alerted the global community to environmental change. These include extreme weather events such as cyclones, heat, extended rain deficit and drought, or extreme and intense rainfall. The resultant floods, bushfires, mudslides, water restrictions, heat waves etc have impacted on communities.

Scientists talk about global warming and increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, or that known supplies of oil will be exhausted within decades. Melbourne and Victoria have experienced 10 years of lower than average rainfall with most of the state under severe water restrictions – drought or climate change? Fuel costs are increasing as supplies of oil diminish, raising the cost of living, personal and commodity transport costs. As crops are affected by drought, flood and water restrictions, and transport costs increase, food costs are also rising.

Many believe that these events are the result of the growing demand for the earth’s resources to meet the needs of modern society. Traditional societies such as hunter / gatherers, and early agricultural societies lived close to and depended totally on the environment. If they outgrew their food supply or exhausted vital resources, they either had to move on or face total collapse. As societies developed, they were more able to control their environment, and overcome the deficiencies in the natural environment. Developments in knowledge, science and technology allowed humans to capture and transform the earth’s resources in new ways – the energy in fossil fuels powered industry, mass production, and increased mobility. Population increased greatly as advances in medicine and sanitation afforded protection from disease. The combined effects of population growth and technological progress have meant a great increase in the consumption of the resources supplied by the natural world.

Throughout the twentieth century and into the twenty first century, technological innovation (eg plastics, synthetic chemicals, nuclear energy), increased use of fossil fuels, and the industrialisation of agriculture (based on the development of synthetic fertilisers, herbicides and pesticides, and genetic modification) have resulted in escalation in the consumption of raw materials extracted from the earth.

In recent years, scientific studies have researched the impacts of the increased demands on the natural systems in our environments due to population growth and consumption, leading to new understanding and awareness of the importance of sustainability. In March 2009, the Copenhagen Climate Council, an international team of leading climate scientists issued a strongly worded statement:

The climate system is already moving beyond the patterns of natural variability within which our society and economy have developed and thrived. These parameters include global mean surface temperature, sea level rise, ocean and ice sheet dynamics, ocean acidification, and extreme climate events. There is a significant risk that many of these trends will accelerate, leading to an increasing risk of abrupt or irreversible climatic shifts.

How do we adapt to our changing circumstances? This question requires a response at governmental, business and community levels.

Now in its second year, the Sustainable Living Space Project aims to implement the findings of this research. These objectives pertain to community education, developing community networks and establishing an Environmental Resource Centre.

i.Education

In 2009, the Sustainable Living Space Project is developing an education program to deliver programs about sustainability through the network of community houses in the Cities of Manningham and Maroondah. In term 3, participating Community Houses will offer a range of courses which will be collectively advertised in their term programs and on their websites. The Project continues to run the Green Film Nights, alternating between the two municipalities which have developed a strong following, and provide an opportunity for building connections as well as an educational forum.

ii.Development of Community Networks

Some goals of the Sustainable Living Space project complement those of other agencies promoting health, and environmental management. Enhanced communication and cooperation of community agencies promotes efficiency and targeted service delivery, and unnecessary duplication of services and activity

iii.Environmental Resource Centre

In response to the expressed need for a centre in which residents could obtain information about living sustainably, the Sustainable Living Space Project has explored a range of options and models of Environmental Resource Centres. Many residents and local environmental groups have expressed interest in being involved in the development of an Environmental Resource Centre.
The success of this project lies in strong community engagement and support of the project. The project partners are keen to capitalise on the high level of community interest in the Sustainable Living Space by establishing a Community Reference Group which will comprise stakeholder representatives, including council, community houses, Eastern Volunteers, residents, local conservation groups.

The project partners will provide direction and support to this group which will further develop the vision and direction for the development of the Sustainable Living Space.