[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DihdiBc2Bo[/youtube]

Just found this site, and I can tell we’re going to become great friends. I’ve seen that many great communication ideas around climate change come out of the UK recently that I am convinced Australia is far behind and needs to catch up. Consider me committed to seeing this happen.

As Adam Wernbach indicated in his speech launching Saatchi & Saatchi’s S project, the influencing power of the corporation is intertwined with the general public’s ability to respond to climate change and other environmental conditions which require social, economical and cultural related behavioural changes. Always the villain and accomplice, many corporations and consumers respectively, are now engaged in a new relationship. It’s almost like their meeting for the first time again. And while the products may be the same and serving the same needs, the language has changed, the transaction has changed and the ramifications of that swipe are being felt around the world. (more…)

Well at least part of it. Discovering new suppliers of locally produced food is an exciting part of the 100-mile diet. But what about taking it one-step further and grow the food for yourself. Imagine the excitement and satisfaction of doing this. And with food prices soaring because of rising fuel prices, it makes sense to have a few veges in the backyard that are available when you need them. David Balilla, an agriculturist in the Philippines who heads a model farm for urban communities, says no space is too small and no weather too harsh for planting vegetables in the city. David is in charge of Gulayan at Bulaklakan, a model farm that grows various vegetables using space-friendly techniques such as hanging sacks, tyres, plastic bottles and bamboo containers. He gives weekly seminars on urban farming in poor areas, showing the residents that many vegetables, such as broccoli, cauliflower, lettuce and celery can grow in any weather conditions. This project is inspiring as well as an excellent display of resourcefulness so often found in third-world nations. (more…)

When we first took on the challenge of the 100-mile diet, a lot of people asked important questions such as, “what about bread?”, “what about chocolate?” and “what about alcohol?”, which gave us pause for thought. We’ve been steadily trying to research and re-create important staples such as bread (and are yet to find local chocolate) but we have tracked down some local alcohol – in fact there’s many local wineries (and even a local distillery) that create award-winning alcoholic beverages from local fruit. Queensland’s biggest vineyard is Clovely Estate, a family owned and run business based in the South Burnett Valley. Spread over 175 hectares of grapes, the vineyard produces a wide variety of fruit-driven wines, including chardonnay, semillon and shiraz. The best part is (more…)

Passionate and smart people are sexy. Passionate, smart and environmentally-minded people are hot! EarthFirst.com have put out their list of the 25 Hottest Guys and Girls in Green. The Guys List. The Girls List. Its a bit too easy to say some actors and celebrities are the hottest guys and girls, but look past that and it’s a list of some amazing people (including some people I bet you already have crushes on).

Thank you for the well wishes for our 100-mile diet adventure! For those who are really keen on the finer details, here is a map outlining the exact area from which we must source our food for a month. While some may say we’re unlucky that almost half our area is composed of the ocean, I say we’re pretty lucky with all the amazing food producing regions that lay within our area. With our subtropical climate and expanse of farmlands, we’re in a much better position than we would be in most other countries, despite the fact that we’re in the middle of winter! Can you imagine trying the 100-mile diet during the middle of winter in Sweden?

In the history of the world, has humanity ever reached a tipping point like the one we seemingly face, with the knowledge we’ve created it and the capabilities to ensure it never happens again? And not just environmentally but economically, culturally, socially and industrially as well? Each day when I read the news I anticipate (depending on the section) which bank has collapsed, how close we are to a recession, what the latest science is telling us about climate change, and with more acceptance than I should have, I gloss over the latest conflict in the West Bank, bombings in Pakistan and the war in Iraq. But in the midst of this insatiable media reporting, some communication mediums give me pause to also consider if there ever been a better time to be positive and opportunistic about the future? (more…)

Is it because I am big? And please … don’t tell me it is because I am brown – judgements by colour are so “old school”. Honestly, I’m usually more scared of others; and I’m so shy, most days you would never see me. I might be hanging around near a light during the evenings – but hey, have you tried reading in the dark lately? Now if I try and consider your perspective on things, on the business end of my life, that is food and children, I certainly try my best to look scary. And might I add, don’t ever let my wife think you are after the kids – she will not be happy. Still, think of it this way… with me at my best and you guys at your worst, I don’t have a chance. Nor would I want to eat you: yuk! I mean no offense. Why then, are us Arachnids (scorpions, spiders, solifugids, amblypygids, Pseudoscorpions and ticks amoungst others) some of the most misunderstood creatures on earth? Look at me for example, a Rain Spider, or also called a Huntsman. This is a picture of me with one of my best buddies, Jonathan Leeming, the author of “Scorpions of Southern Africa”… (more…)

We all know our daily habits have to change to increase our chances for a better environment and its future. Driving the car less, eating locally, carbon off-setting and switching to green energy are just a few examples to get the ball rolling. Global warming guru Bill McKibben has a simple answer to making our world a green place. That answer is 350. That’s the parts per million of CO2 in the atmosphere that scientists believe is safe. Currently the world sits at 387 parts per million and with a little persistence the world can lower its carbon emission to 350. Join 350.org to take action in your community, engage our (more…)

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rfDvpfC2bw[/youtube]For those not lucky enough to grab a prized ticket to this weekend’s Splendour in the Grass, don’t pout because Brisbane is getting some cracking sideshows from Splendour-bound performers. Nab a ticket to Tokyo Police Club, who hit The Zoo on Thursday night or check out The Presets next Monday evening, who are back in town after a sold-out Brisbane season only a short while ago. My pick of the mix is Cold War Kids on Sunday night. The Californian-based rockers are bringing their indie rock stylings to our fine city for their second Australian tour. The relatively new four-piece (more…)

This photo, a polar bear leaping off sea ice near Devon Island in the Canadian Arctic, is but one of many stunning images of nature’s beauty. Some media inspires whilst other media can leave you in shock and awe. Thank you National Geographic.

No, it’s not the Battlestar Galactica (but it will be visible from space). It’s a photograph of the construction of Dam Six in China’s Three Gorges Dam, taken three years ago by Canadian photographer Edward Burtynsky. One of humankind’s most ambitious civil engineering projects, Three Gorges will be the largest hydro-electric dam on the planet. By its expected completion in 2011, one and a half million people will have been relocated and 1,300 villages submerged. It is just one of the many mind-bogglingly huge construction projects underway in China. As world economies shift and the Games begin, the commentariat swings its focus firmly to the sleeping giant’s barrel roll towards Western ideals and globally unprecedented consumption. Burtynksy – who has photographed many large-scale development sites in China – is part of a growing movement in photography to stimulate thoughts, feelings, policies and actions about our world. The acclaimed photographer has been shortlisted for the 2008 Prix Pictet Award in Photography, a new global competition focusing on sustainability. He also has plans to build a 10,000 year gallery to accompany the world’s first 10,000 year clock, an initiative to encourage long-term thinking, planning and action.

You might remember map magazine’s story on the 100-Mile Cafe in Melbourne – an eatery that sources all of its products and produce from within a 100-mile radius of the cafe. Here’s the same idea taken to a different level. The 100-Mile Diet is a new book to hit shelves recently, which follows the journey of a couple who challenged themselves to only eat food that has been grown or produced within a 100-mile radius of their apartment in Vancouver, Canada. Starting without much research Alisa Smith and James MacKinnon were thrown into the deep end of trying to source local food. Local wheat farmers proved to be one of the hardest finds and the couple ate a lot of potatoes as a result. Struggling to adjust to the sudden change, at first their meals were boring and minimalist. As they learnt more and their knowledge of sources expanded they began to benefit from the freshest, local ingredients and experience new flavours. (more…)

As those aspiring towards more ethical eating will know, access to organic foods is often limited – both by supply and disposable income. Knowing which foods are likely to retain pesticide, chemical, antibiotic and hormone residues could help us choose which foods to buy organic, or opt for food alternatives. Enter eco-warriors The Daily Green with their Dirty Dozen: Top 12 Foods to Eat Organic. The information might just make you get out your shovel and start your own vegie garden. They have also published a top ten list of fruit and vegetables least likely to retain industrial agricultural nasties. Check out The Daily Green for an often inspired voice on ethical eating, albeit one out of step with the southern hemisphere’s seasons and agricultural practices.

Now that the eco-movement has been embraced by the mainstream, it’s sometimes hard to tell the difference between what is truly a ‘good’ company, in terms of environmental and social responsibility, and what is just clever marketing. Making it easier for us to make the distinction is B Corporation – a new community ‘setting the new corporate standard for social and environmental’. In order to achieve a ‘B’ rating, corporations must adhere to a series of transparent environmental and social standards that ensure that their claim to being ‘truly’ green is substantiated. In building this rapidly growing community, the founders of B Corporation aim to create a collective market presence that will bring an accountability to businesses who have won over customers through clever ‘green-washing’ campaigns. Would your corporation pass the test?

To commemorate yesterday, the oil lobby group of and workers union of Australia formed an alliance to raise concerns about emission trading schemes which could potentially hurt their industries. Reportedly, Martin Ferguson, Federal Minister for Resources and Energy and Minister for Tourism (interesting portfolio), also announced increased efforts in coal and gas exploration. Meanwhile, in Wellington New Zealand, host of World Environment Day, Anote Tong, President of the low lying nation of Kiribati, told a news conference marking World Environment Day that changes were obvious in his country of 92,000 people where land had been eroded and crops lost. In other environmental news, the world’s largest landfill was brought to my attention. Residing in the Pacific ocean, in two giant areas exceeding the size of the United States of America, the Pacific Garbage Patch, as it is known, is a culmination of waste discarded from ships, oil rigs and from terrestrial populations, Australia included. In Sydney, winds of 30/40knots continued to batter and drive rain over the coastline and I reflected how fitting it was to feel like I wasn’t in control on this day. At least, not in control of its weather. Or am I?

This photo is a recent image of a tribe in the Amazon who has never had contact with the western world. When I first saw this image I thought about how amazing the planet is and how wonderful it is that there is still a tribe that has not experienced our world. The idea filled my heart with something I can’t explain. A longing. A connection to a world I crave. It’s weird how such an image can provoke such emotion! When I first saw this image I felt jealous. Envious of what they had. Don’t get me wrong! I love my life and I am incredibly thankful for the incredible opportunity we have at life and the luxuries all around us. However I still think about the meaning of it all. (more…)

As a species, we are addicted to habits. Habits are formed by neural pathways in the mind which are created from repeated behaviours. One of the most widespread and hardest addictions to break, is in breaking habits. Tomorrow is World Environment Day. And I have a challenge for you from the Earth, for the Earth is me. Do one thing tomorrow which breaks a habit and helps the Earth. Be it showering by candlelight, contacting Jack Green energy, riding to work, taking a ceramic cup to the cafe on the corner, researching ethical investment funds, donating to charities, purchasing simple products for communities in the developing world. Just do one thing tomorrow that changes your normal behaviour. And then try and do it again on Friday. (more…)

If you’ve got time on your side and you’re looking for a life-changing experience to kick off your career in tourism/ health/ nutrition/ human movement or management, consider applying to new five-star eco health retreat and day spa, Gwinganna’s, work experience program. The retreat is perched atop a ridge on 50 acres of private land in the Tallebudgera Valley, a breathtaking pocket of the world, and is surrounded by lush rainforest, fruit orchards, organic vegie gardens and herb mandalas. The program asks for five weeks of your time as a volunteer helping support the inspiring facilitators with everything from conducting morning tai chi sessions and bushwalks to guiding evening candlelit adventures, serving the organic feasts, tending to the gardens, leading guests through the day spa rituals, helping with cooking demonstrations, and keeping the open fireplace well stocked with wood. The reward is getting to reside on site in the gorgeous restored timber suites, use of all retreat facilities, all organic meals, and the chance to interact with and learn from staff, other volunteers and guests. And, to top it all off, you get to be pampered for the final week as a guest at no charge. Yes, it’s six weeks out of your life but I’m guessing it’s six weeks you’ll never regret. The volunteers I met there were shiny-eyed with excitement for the pure and revitalising experience they were living as their new reality.

As we wait with bated breath to see whether Burma’s military junta will finally let some significant forms of aid trickle through the borders to help those suffering the devastating effects of the recent cyclone, it brings to mind other forms of international aid and how we can help our fellow human beings. It is easy to forget about the global crises involving the world’s developing nations and their need for water, basic health care and education – things that we take for granted in our day-too-day lives. When we do remember, it all seems to be happening so far away. A charity that has been undertaking inspiring work, and is in the midst of celebrating 30 years of “compassionate response to a world where many have lost hope”, is Mercy Ships. Founder Don Stephens dreamed of a world where he could bring aid, education and medical assistance to those who desperately needed it. In his mission to turn his dream into reality, Don purchased the first Mercy Ship in 1978 – a passenger vessel that took four years to transform into a hospital ship, complete with 40 beds, medical supplies, three operating theatres and an international volunteer team. (more…)