An hour with Sam Smith from Future Proofing Geelong talking about the local Sustainable Living Festival which starts on 12 February 2016 and runs over the following three weeks.
Geelong’s favourite eco-champions, Costa Georgiadis from ABC’s Gardening Australia and Tim Silverwood from Take 3 for the Sea are back in Geelong visiting our schools and communities to inspire us to lead more sustainable lives.
The Sustainable Hour on 10 February 2016 on 94.7 The Pulse also presented speeches by Geelong Councillor Andy Richards and Secretary of the Victorian Trades Hall, Luke Hilakari. More info below.
Listen to The Sustainable Hour no. 108:
» To open or download this programme in mp3-format, right-click here (Mac: CTRL + click)
» Subscribe to ‘The Sustainable Hour’ podcast — via iTunes or via your own podcast/RSS software
Councillor Andy Richards’ speech
Click on player above to listen to the speech – or download the mp3 file
Andy Richards is Councillor at City of Greater Geelong where he holds the council’s sustainability portfolio. In his speech at the Act on Climate Festival’s opening night he spoke about the City of Greater Geelong Council’s strategies, initiatives and achievements – and about his hopes for the future. Andy Richards encouraged the audience to get more engaged on Twitter and Facebook and interact directly with the councillors on social media.
Cr Andy Richards recently moved a motion to Geelong Council that the municipality should divest. It said:
NOTICE OF MOTION – Cr Andy Richards
Fossil Fuel Divestment and Stranded Assets.
Fossil fuel divestment is the removal of investment assets including stocks, bonds, and investment funds from companies involved in extracting fossil fuels in an attempt to reduce climate change.
Stranded assets occur when the reserves of fossil fuel companies are deemed environmentally unsustainable and so unusable and so must be written off. Currently the price of fossil fuels companies’ shares is calculated under the assumption that all of the companies’ fossil fuel reserves will be consumed, and so the true costs of carbon dioxide in intensifying global warming is not taken into account in a company’s stock market valuation.
Recently, several residents have approached council in regard to these issues, and seeking council to take a position on them.
Recommendation
That Council officers prepare a report for council on all issues surrounding fossil fuel divestment and stranded assets.
» Listen to more speeches from the Act on Climate Festival’s opening night
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Luke Hilakari’s speech
Luke Hilakari, Secretary of the Victorian Trades Hall, addressing the ‘Ban Onshore Gas, Grow Renewables’ rally on the steps of the Victorian Parliament House on 9 February 2016.
The video was published on youtube.com on 9 February 2016 by John Englart.
» More about the rally below
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Costa’s song: ‘Down and Dirty’
‘Gardening Australia’ presenter Costa is taking a surprise deviation in life with a hairy ride down a new and dirty track in his debut single and music video ‘Down and Dirty’. Costa firmly plants the love of soil, along with a couple of seedlings as he gets down and dirty around some of Australia’s biggest icons.
“Now’s the perfect time to celebrate dirt in all it’s muddy glory. Soil provides our food, and fibre for our clothes, it’s such an important part of life – we just can’t live without it!”
The song is a collaboration between the much-loved eco-crusader and the EMMY® award-winning team from dirtgirlworld and Get Grubby TV. The song is a side project, created as Costa prepares for his role as the ever-present and metaphysical garden gnome in dirtgirl’s Get Grubby musical, which premiered at the Sydney Opera House in January 2016.
The song was written by Melbourne’s Cameron McKenzie and published on youtube.com on 28 November 2015.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pope Francis rocks
The Pope Video 2: ‘Care for Creation’
Following up on his Encyclical from June 2015, Pope Francis has now entered a more modern way of communicating: the ‘Land of YouTube’, where he repeats his call to humanity to consider a new way of living.
If at least the 1.2 billion Catholiques on the planet would actually listen to their own spiritual leader and follow his wise advice – which in particular includes the numerous Catholique parliamentarians in a country like Australia – we would being to see things improve so much faster than is currently the case.
The video was published on youtube.com on 5 February 2016.
“The Pope Video is an initiative by the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network to disseminate the monthly intentions of the Holy Father concerning the challenges facing humanity. The Global Catholic Climate Movement is a a proud partner of this initiative.”
» See more at www.catholicclimatemovement.global
LISTENER SERVICE
More information
…about what we mentioned in the 108th Sustainable Hour
Sustainable Hours
which we referred to in the show:
» The Sustainable Hour on 94.7 The Pulse on 3 February 2016:
Show the light: Arts centre launches community-building film festival
About the Geelong Environmental Film Festival and GPAC’s involvement – with Jane Millett and Suzette Jackson in the studio
» The Sustainable Hour on 94.7 The Pulse on 23 December 2015:
Go fossil free – and tell your councillors to do the same
About divestment – with Danielle Anawatti and Natalie Cowdell from Fossil Free Geelong in the studio.
Geelong Sustainable Living Festival 2016
Events to inspire us to lead more sustainable lives include:
Friday 12 Feb: Johnstone Park Nightjar Market – see Costa and Tim Silverwood on stage 6.15pm.
Saturday 13 Feb: Warralilly Wildlife corridor walk and picnic with Costa 10am-12.30pm; Matthew Flinders urban garden 1st birthday and recycled arts workshop 1.00-2.30pm; City Harvest launch at The Farmer’s Place at 5.30pm (bookings 0499 333 093).
Friday 26 Feb: Geelong Green Carpet Awards celebrating our local environmental heroes with MC Costa at GPAC 6.00-8.30pm. More info on www.futureproofinggeelong.com
Meet Costa Georgiadis at Pako Festa
On Saturday 27 February 2016, Geelong welcomes Costa to Pako Festa to help spread the sustainability message.
Costa, the popular and effervescent host of the ABC’s Gardening Australia, will be in the parade in Pakington Street at 11am and then spend the afternoon in the Handmade and Locally Grown Area (opposite GW PO). Come and hang out with Costa while he helps with a kids’ potting workshop 1.00 – 3.00, speaks at 1.30 about ‘The Importance of Local’ and chats with community members until 4.30.
In the background, enjoy music presented by the Geelong Folk Club. There will also be information from various community/sustainability groups. It’s the place to be!
If anyone would like to help, eg. be in the parade with Costa, bring a pop up garden to decorate the area (it can be small, eg. a plant-filled boot, a little wheelbarrow) or be on a roster to help Costa, please email: rosemary.nugent@bigpond.com. Assistance would be greatly appreciated.
This event forms part of the Geelong Sustainable Living Festival and is brought to you by Diversitat and Future Proofing Geelong.
More information:
» www.geelongaustralia.com.au
» www.facebook.com/SustainableLivingFestivalGeelong
» slf.org.au
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inaugural Geelong Environmental Film Festival 2016
Friday 19 February at 4:30–8.30pm and Saturday 20 February at 10:30am-9:00pm at GPAC
There will be a number of panel sessions, forums, feature talks and films, focussing on the environment, water, fauna, flora and ecosystems. The festival theme is Creative Arts and Ecology. The launch with Tim Silverwood will be at GPAC Friday 19 February at 6:30pm. For tickets and program visit www.gpac.org.au.
Also, if you are interested in having a stall, contact Suzette Jackson: suzette@innateecology.com, 0409 537 753.
This event forms part of the Geelong Sustainable Living Festival and is brought to you by GPAC and Future Proofing Geelong with coordination by Innate Ecology.
‘OUT OF THE DARKNESS’ Art Exhibition
Open daily from 10am to 5pm until Sunday 14 February at the Queenscliff Uniting Church Hall, cnr Hesse & Stokes Streets
You are invited to an art exhibition that has been travelling throughout regional Victoria. This amazing exhibition, which highlights issues that affect asylum seekers, will shock, touch and inspire you.
Presented by Queenscliff RAR (Rural Australians for Refugees). Hosted by Queenscliff Uniting Church.
Free entry.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Green Roof Competition for Businesses and Commercial Buildings
$10,000 Prize Pool! Come and learn more!
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ban Onshore Gas, Grow Renewables
Rally in Melbourne on Tuesday 9 February 2016
Shadow Minister for Renewable Energy David Southwick addressing the ‘Ban Onshore Gas, Grow Renewables’ rally on the steps of the Victorian Parliament House on 9 February 2016. He is introduced by Leigh Ewbank from the Yes2Renewables campaign. Published on youtube.com on 9 February 2016 by John Englart.
John Englart wrote:
“Something strange just happened yesterday. The Liberal Party shadow minister for Renewable Energy spoke alongside the Greens and campaigners at a rally against onshore gas and to grow renewables. About 250 people gathered on parliament steps at midday to highlight these issures for Premier Dan Andrews and the Victorian Labor Government.
This year is crunch time for this government on these two issues and also to strengthen the Climate Change Act. Most of the speeches are a couple of minutes, but a few are over 5 mins. Rather than me write up (which will probably happen as well at the weekend) I thought I’d post these mostly unedited videos.”
www.youtube.com
» A Yes2Renewables story on the rally is posted on yes2renewables.org
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
World biggest windfarm takes off
A Danish energy company announced it will build the world’s biggest offshore windfarm, off England’s north-east coast. The turbines it’s using are so tall, they’re higher than some of London’s most iconic skyscrapers. An estimated 2,000 jobs will be created for the construction of the project, with a further 300 jobs likely to be created for its operation.
It is expected when complete to power as many as one million homes in the region.
» Read more on www.theguardian.com
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Australian emissions are on the rise
The resumed growth of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions after almost a decade of consistent decline shows the scale of the challenge ahead if Australia is to meet its climate commitments.
“Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions are posed to surge to a record high after 2020, and may not reach a peak before 2030 – despite the government’s claim it has been reducing emissions and its support for the Paris climate deal. A new analysis from industry analyst Reputex – a division of global ratings agency Standard & Poor’s – confirms what we already know: despite the Coalition’s rhetoric, emissions in Australia actually rose 1.3 per cent in 2014/15, for the first time since the Coalition was last in power a decade earlier.”
Giles Parkinson
» RenewEconomy – 1 February 2016:
Australia emissions surging to record high despite Paris climate deal
» Sydney Morning Herald – 21 August 2015:
Paris 2015: Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions show ‘disturbing increase’ amid record global heat
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ON A DIFFERENT NOTE
Other recent news
…which we didn’t find room for in The Sustainable Hour this week, but which we thought you should know about
Coal is losing out
A study has showed that a third of the Queensland’s coalmines are running at a loss. In response, Queensland’s resources industry has called on the state and federal governments for more subsidies to help to save their dirty, polluting and climate-disrupting business.
The report, commissioned by the Queensland Resources Council, also found that more than half of the mines producing thermal coal for power stations are losing money.
» Read more on www.theguardian.com
Worst is still ahead for the mining industry after bleeding $2 trillion (Greedy binge leads to bad hangover #Auspol) https://t.co/TSe1klJv8e
— SurfCoast Air Action (@SCAA3230) February 11, 2016
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
How the Australian democracy has been flawed
Australian Senator Sam Dastyari speaks out about the real problem in Australian politics: how democracy has been flawed by powerful industry leaders – the only reason why no responsible anti-pollution legislation and renewable energy policies have been put in place in Australia.
“I’m a product of the machine like you would not believe. I joined the Labor Party when I was 16. I took over my first branches by the time I was 17 … [so] I thought I understood the brutality of politics simply by my time in the NSW Labor Party and my time in the NSW Labor machine. [But] none of that braced me for an understanding of just how concentrated, brutal and aggressive a handful of businesses operate [in Australia], and the real corporate power where it actually rests in this country.”
Sam Dastyari, Senator
» Sydney Morning Herald – 5 February 2016:
Labor senator Sam Dastyari claims 10 companies have taken control of Australian politics
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
“Come together and do it right”
“We are dealing with issues that are critical to human nature. There has to be a way to come together and do it right, to protect the environment and human rights. We can go to the moon, for goodness sake! Why can’t we deal with this? It’s a matter of setting our priorities, establishing our values.”
Sister Sheila Kinsey, Justice Peace & Integrity of Creation Committee
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Thousands sign petition for mandatory rooftop solar on new homes
An online petition calling on Australia’s federal and state governments to make rooftop solar mandatory for all new-build houses attracted nearly 12,000 signatures in just one week.
The Change.org petition wants governments to legislate that all newly constructed have solar panels installed to generate a minimum power output, a cause that – at the time of publication – had won support from 13,100 Australians by 12 February 2016.
» Sign the petition on: www.change.org
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Podcasts and posts about climate change
Streaming live
» The Sustainable Hour is streamed live on the Internet every Wednesday from 11am to 12pm (Melbourne time):
www.947thepulse.com – click on ‘Listen Live’
Podcast archive
Hours and hours of sustainable podcasts
Listen to all of The Sustainable Hour radio shows in full length and in selected excerpts:
» Archive on climatesafety.info – with photo and direct link to podcast audio file
» Archive on climatesafety.info – with longer descriptions
» Archive on cpod.org – with even longer descriptions
» Archive on itunes.apple.com – mobile phone friendly
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Promote The Sustainable Hour
Print this A4-poster and put it on a wall or a board at your work place, a local café, shop or where ever you think there’d be people who’d find this information interesting. Go to our Facebook-page and give us a click on the LIKE-button. Let the The Sustainable Hour’s listeners know about your green product. To become a business supporter or sponsor, contact: Liz Carr, Marketing & Business Development, 94.7 The Pulse
94.7 The Pulse
» 947thepulse.com – Geelong’s Premier Community Radio Station
The Sustainable Hour on social media
» Facebook: Overview of all podcast front covers
» Catch up on Twitter: www.twitter.com/SustainableHour » Twitter tag: @SustainableHour
Share on Twitter
» Share this podcast on www.twitter.com
Inspiring sustainable living with local festival and fun https://t.co/pLtWrTNOxS pic.twitter.com/RYnoyp5DVf
— The Sustainable Hour (@SustainableHour) February 12, 2016
Share on Facebook
» If you’d like to share this page on Facebook, then copy this link:
(First paste the long link in a field on Facebook, wait until the photo has loaded, delete the link again, and then press ‘Post’)
Share on Pinterest
» More Sustainable Hour posts on Pinterest
“Participation – that’s what’s gonna save the human race.”
Pete Seeger, American singer