Following on from our 100-mile diet experiment, our ears have been open to more opportunities to source local produce and handy hints for picking greener and more sustainable sources of food. One such discovery is the Vera Street Community Garden in Toowong. Started in 2005, the garden in a not-for-profit collective that encourages locals to help create and sustain a community vegetable garden. Based on the principal that the more you put in, the more benefits you can reap, members can come together to get involved in organic gardening and creek rehabilitation, and get to take home a beautiful assortment of fresh fruit, vegetables and herbs as a reward. Continue reading ‘community garden’
Archive for the 'Green' Category
say hello to woody
Via Inhabitat: What with gas prices being as high as they were this summer, we didn’t go on as many road trips as we would have liked to. If we had a camper like the Verdier Solar Powered Camper, we definitely would have embarked upon more road trips to beautiful National Parks and done it in eco-style. Verdier’s eco-RV is based upon a classic VW Westfalia that has been upgraded with many green elements, like a hybrid engine, solar panels and a lot of high-tech systems that makes this bus a hippy’s Pimp My Ride dream come true.
“the storm is the time to fish”.
November 18, 2008
Arts/Culture, Business with a conscience, Design, Green, Inspire, International, Local Buzz and Technology
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This Eskimo proverb provides a timely insight into the potential of innovation as a source of economical, social, technical and environmental change. One of the world’s most innovative companies, Ideo, invites discussion on its ‘Big conversations & small talk’ facebook group titled ‘Turning recession on its head: is there an upside to the downturn’? For readers of Street Editors with an inkling for entrepreneurship, a bone for invention and a deep craving to make a difference, this forum will provide some appetizing brain food. And it seems timing is everything. Just yesterday it was brought to my attention that this week celebrates the inaugural Global Entrepreneurship Week, an initiative launched by British Prime Minister Gordon Brown. The international program of events encourages youth to think big, turn their ideas into reality, and make their mark. For those in Sydney on Wednesday night, Vibewire is co-presenting an evening with the School for Social Entrepreneurs in Ultimo.
save the whales
If you’ve ever hankered to don a ruffly shirt, knickerbockers and eye patch, now’s your chance. The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society is hosting a benefit gig on Friday as it readies for its fifth Antarctic whale defence campaign, Operation Musashi, departing Brisbane this month. Get your pirate garb on and get down to The Arena by 8pm to see The Red Paintings, The Paper and the Plane and others sing - and paint - up a storm of support. Entry is free but donations towards Operation Musashi will be sought, by hook or by crook. BYO parrot.
The Halmahera Sea is nestled between the islands of Papua and Sulawesi in Indonesia. It is one of the world’s most pristine and unadulterated tropical paradises located in the coral triangle – the area with the richest marine life on the planet, especially in terms of coral and fish species. In April 2008, Conservation International sent a team of researchers, which consisted largely of research scientists, to Halmahera Sea and its surrounding islands. The aim of their trip was to: Continue reading ‘the halmahera expedition’
the new greenpeace campaign
“Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.”
JFK was the thirty-fifth President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963. He was the second-youngest President (after Theodore Roosevelt), and the youngest elected to the office, at the age of 43. Interestingly, Barack Obama is 47 and it makes me wonder if the youth of presidency often allows for optimistic hope in tackling difficult issues? Certainly JFK was a hero for this and one that I am sure Barack Obama will no doubt become.
louise body wallprint
When it comes to interior design, wallpaper has made a stylish return to the design palette. With a nod to retro inspirations, the use of wallpaper is becoming more commonplace in homes and offices, from feature walls to whole rooms. With the ensuing evolution of chic designer wallpaper, the choice is no longer just between traditional paisley or flocked prints. Louise Body, an English designer specialising in wallpaper, has created a high-end line of eco-friendly wallpapers. All paper is sourced from managed forests and only water-based inks are used in the printing process. In addition, all paper waste from the cutting process is recycled at a local mill. For a 1920s feel, choose the ‘Erotica’ print, which depicts a glamorous menagerie of dames dressed to the nines, including one swinging from the ceiling. For a more whimsical feel, choose the ‘Lacey Birdies’ print, where small birds flutter in an out of leafy branches, against a gentle background of lace-patterned print.
upcycle
Imagine taking waste and turning it into caviar. One bright spark did. Graham Wiles began the Able Project in the UK to “close the recycling loop” whilst providing skills and jobs for marginalised young people. Cardboard is rescued from restaurants, shredded and sold as horse bedding. When the horse bedding needs replacing it is picked up and composted at a worm farm. The worms are then fed to sturgeon at a fish farm, which produces caviar. The caviar is sold back to the restaurants where the cardboard was originally sourced. Ten young people were employed for 12 months and learnt about aquaculture and vermiculture. A great example of thinking win-win-win-win.
With so many devastating facts and figures about the earth’s environment, it’s easy to harvest an ‘it’s too late’ outlook on the world’s current environmental state. But, when you stumble across the many outstanding individuals and organisations that devote their life’s efforts to saving the environment, it’s obviously not ‘too late’ – why would they expend so much of their energy to saving something that they thought was doomed? One of these organisations is Climate Camp – the place for anyone who wants to take action on climate change; for anyone who’s fed up with the empty government rhetoric and corporate spin; for anyone who’s worried that the small steps they are taking aren’t enough to match the scale of the problem; and for anyone who’s worried about our future and wants to do something about it. Continue reading ‘climate camp’
Entering a supermarket these days is an ethical workout. With each item on my list, I try to consider the packaging used, the practices and resources used in its production, how far it has travelled, whether it supports the local economy, whether it fairly supports the producer, its health value and appeal, and its dollar cost. So, as a seafood lover, I’m ashamed to say that my main consideration when buying fish and seafood is freshness. But I’ve just picked up a copy of the Sustainable Seafood Guide. Produced by the non-profit Australian Marine Conservation Society, the guide and accompanying pocket-cards help consumers wade through a mire of considerations to make purchase decisions that support sustainable fishing practices. So, what’s the bad news? Southern bluefin tuna and scallops are overfished, while Atlantic salmon and barramundi are farmed using unsustainable practices. Choose whiting, bream, flathead, calamari and tropical trevally instead. Incorrect labelling in the marketplace is rampant, so it’s worth asking. The good news is that as consumers, we have an awesome amount of power. We can help improve the health of the oceans by voting with our wallets. And encouraging others to do the same. Check out the guide. And think twice about ordering those prawns for Christmas - give the guide instead.
via Environmental Graffiti: Welcome to the world of Reverse Graffiti, where the artist’s weapons are cleaning materials. It’s an art form that removes dust or dirt rather than adding paint. Some find it intriguing, beguiling, beautiful and imaginative, whereas others look upon it in much the same way as traditional graffiti – a complete lack of respect for the law. Reverse Graffiti challenges ideals and perceptions while at the same time shapes and changes the environment in which we live, whether people think for the better, or not. Continue reading ‘clean graffiti’
collaboration with nature
A collection of autumn leaves ordered in concentric circles by colour, a line of blood red leaves snaking down a river that have been pinned together with a fine series of thorns and an icicle that winds gently around a tree stump before melting in the first rays of sunshine. As a photographer, sculptor and environmentalist, Andy Goldsworthy works with materials from nature to create beautiful sculptural, and often temporary, artworks. The British artist uses leaves, thorn, stones, icicles, dust and snow to handmake breathtaking artworks. Inspired by nature, his works include everything as simple as lying down in the street during a sun shower in order to create ‘rain shadows’ on the pavement to capturing a cloud of dust on film as he throws a handful of earth into the air and large-scale commissions of rock walls, which wind through the pristine countryside. His soft-handed approach means that the creations could almost happen naturally.
With over 28 billion tons of CO2 emitted each year, an innovative firm is working on transforming the abundant supply CO2 available to produce renewable and sustainable fuels for global consumption. Carbon Sciences is developing a breakthrough technology to transform carbon dioxide emissions into the basic fuel building blocks required to produce gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel and other fuels. The largest and most concentrated source of CO2 emissions is the growing use of coal-powered electricity generation, especially in developing countries where coal is abundant and inexpensive. In 2030, there is projected to be about 43 billion metric tons of C02 exhaled into the atmosphere. Whilst I believe the preferred method of energy is purely renewable, Carbon Sciences offers a positive idea for a transitionary energy system utilising what is currently wasted.
a revolution in public transport
I love innovation and ideas that become action. There are many wonderful people on this planet doing extraordinary things for the benefit of the future of the planet. Ultra is an innovative form of Personal Rapid Transit (PRT). The idea emerged from a fundamental reappraisal of the transport needs of a city. Conventional forms of public transit require passengers to collect in groups until a large vehicle is scheduled to travel on predetermined routes. In contrast, Ultra offers personal transport with no waiting, and takes passengers non-stop to their chosen destination. This is a transport system which is as convenient as, or in congested environments more convenient than, the car, but with minimal environmental impact. Continue reading ‘a revolution in public transport’
aussies are the world’s richest …
According to a recent article in The Courier Mail, Australians have topped the rankings in a prosperity index of more than 100 countries – with its quality of life and economic strength pushing it into number one spot. What an amazing opportunity to take advantage of this position and show the world that economic wealth can be used to assist and help solve complex climate change problems. And generate new ideas based on our relationship with the planet in the future rather the pursuit of extreme wealth linked to excessive consumption. Last night I watched The Burning Season on the ABC. I was so inspired by the actions of a young Australian environmental entrepreneur, Dorjee Sun, who is offering a solution to sell the carbon credits represented by large forest areas to big polluters in the West. Met with a mixture of surprise, intrigue, confusion and scepticism in a period of four months, Dorjee’s proposal is rejected 203 times!!!! Whilst his ideas need a degree of regulation in order to prevent large polluters taking advantage of the concept, at 29 years old, Dorjee is an amazing example of the heart needed to pursue in the ideas that will generate positive change for climate change.
The image is of orphaned Orangutans displaced from the burning of the Indonesian forests.
environmental sculpture
The nature of art means that contemporary artists are constantly being challenged to find new materials, ideas and techniques to create innovative and exciting artwork. One UK artist has found a new and beautiful way to work with found driftwood by turning her findings into amazing life-size sculptures of horses. Working across mediums, such as wire, bronze and paint, Heather Jansch translated her life-long love of horses into three-dimensional constructions, which encapsulate the physical power and grace of the horse. Throughout the year, guests can visit Heather’s property in Devon, UK, to view her artistic process and many finished pieces that grace the lawns and studio space.
After hearing today that more than 3000 species were added to the World Conservation Union’s Annual Red List, in just one year, we encourage you to join in Brisbane’s first ever Greenfest – to learn, celebrate, inspire and acknowledge the growing concern for our habitat. As part of Brisbane’s first Greenfest, The Greenfest Film Festival is a unique and free film festival, that not only supports local filmmakers, but unites the Brisbane community through the power of film media. As Pangea Day pointed out, the power of film can unite millions of people, regardless of race, borders, difference and conflict. The Greenfest Film Festival will endeavour to do this on Friday October 10 from 7:00 pm and will feature 14 local Brisbane finalists, Continue reading ‘greenfest film festival’
Seasoned hosts will relate to the repeated activity known as ‘making up the guest bed’ for overnight visitors. Sometimes this requires wrestling with the pullout couch or hauling down a spare mattress from the loft. Swiss design company, it design, have come up with a unique, space-saving and eco-friendly alternative, known as the itbed. Made from 7mm thick cardboard, the bed base unfolds like an accordion and is easily folded away for storage or moving. Traditional mattresses can simply be placed on top to complete the bed or, for thinner futon mattresses, the bed can be stabilised through the additional of a horizontal support. Currently only retailing in Europe, the itbed can be viewed in one of it design’s showrooms – a mobile transparent living unit, which showcases several furniture pieces required for young and mobile urban dwellers. The brainchild of architects Valérie Jomini and Stanislas Zimmermann, it design’s products are an innovative take on the modern urban living environment.
Greenhouse by Joost
via That’s Melbourne: Melbourne will witness an Australian first in Greenhouse by Joost - a self-sustaining temporary event venue at Federation Square that will engage and inspire from October, 30 2008 to January 2009, constructed entirely from recycled or recyclable materials. Open to the public by day as a gallery, cafe and place to ponder your impact on the planet. Feast on the freshest fare in town, using ingredients from the rooftop garden worked into delectable dishes by the lads from Seamstress. At night, Greenhouse will entertain the new “in-crowd” -being the savvy set who’ve simply grabbed a ticket from one of the outlets around town. Greenhouse by Joost is also available for exclusive functions, with food by Shannon Bennett. Greenhouse by Joost is a joint venture between flower artist & waste wizard Joost Bakker, and events guru Corina Baldwin, Director of bttb (bigger than ten bears).
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