SAVE SUSTAINABILITY EDUCATION IN NSW
This is a special bulletin as we need people to act quickly!
The NSW Department of Education and Communities (DEC) has announced it is removing support for sustainability education at the State level.
This is coming at a time of preparing to implement the Australian Curriculum in NSW with Sustainability being one of three cross curriculum priorities. Unless the sustainability curriculum support is re-instated, NSW will not be able to give co-ordinated support to sustainability educators in DEC and in all schools, or meet NSW 2021 Plan targets relating to sustainability and other DEC commitments.
If you care about the next generation and want to continue to grow rather than impede their understanding of sustainability and the environment on an educational level, please add your name to the petition and share this so we can have our concerns heard!
For more background information as well as contacts and examples you could use to write letters to Ministers or your local representatives, please visit the website of the Australian Association for Environmental Education NSW Chapter website at www.aaeensw.org.au.
Thank you!
Today is World Environment Day - for more details…
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Gisele Bündchen, Winner of 2011 WED Challenge Fulfills WED Promise at Green Nation Fest
This week, Rio de Janeiro is playing host to a number of influential heads of state, multinational corporations as well as media agencies in a festival that aims to solidify global efforts and spearhead policies targeted towards environmental conservation.
Read more »Source: www.unep.org
Australia Lagging Behind in Global Clean Tech Race
Four of Australia’s top trading partners are among the world’s fastest growing clean energy manufacturing hubs in 2010-2011, with Australia lagging in 26th spot, according to a new report commissioned by WWF.
The third edition of Clean Economy, Living Planet looked at 40 countries and then ranked the top 25 based on the 2011 sales of the clean energy technology products they manufacture, such as solar panels and wind turbines.
Australia’s position improved from being ranked 30th in 2009-2010 to 26th, due mainly to increased sales in products for bioenergy, but is failing to translate its relatively good innovation conditions into commercial ventures.
Quoted from WWF Media Release 05/06/12
Join the ATA’s free webinar – How it works: building a sustainable house to suit your site
Visit Original Post
When: Friday 15 June 2012
Time: 11am
In conjunction with bankmecu, the Alternative Technology Association (ATA) presents a series of free online presentations to share practical knowledge about energy efficiency, sustainable building and water conservation at home. Webinars are broadcast live for view over your web browser, and will be available for playback on demand afterwards.
The fifth webinar in the series will be held on Friday 15 June, and will focus on the importance of site orientation, location and climate in designing an energy-efficient, sustainable house. It will introduce the sustainable design elements incorporated in an owner-built home on Sydneyâs northern beaches, looking in particular at how the siteâs location and challenges (including slope, proximity to the sea, and limited solar access) influenced the design.
The webinar will feature a presentation by designer Dick Clarke of Envirotecture, and a conversation with homeowners Barbara Stack and Rodney Reece on their design priorities and what itâs like to live in the finished house. The webinar will finish with a Q&A session.
Click here to register for free for the webinar.
If youâre not able to join in live, remember that the webinar will be recorded and you will be able to view it via the ATA website from a couple of days afterwards.
Sydney World Environment Day Screening - Bimblebox Documentary
Presented by Climate Action Network Australia, Beyond Zero Emissions, Greenpeace and Stop Coal Seam Gas Sydney, this event will be the highlight of this year’s World Environment Day celebrations in Sydney.
The documentary, ‘Bimblebox’, exposes the huge expansions planned for Australia’s coal and CSG export industry and the grassroots struggle to save the land, and our rural communities from its overwhelming force.
By the director of the 2005 film Mountaintop Removal, Mike O’Connell, this film has touched the hearts of audiences across the country.
The film features many prominent members of the debate against coal expansion in Australia including Guy Pearse (Global Change Institute), Ove Hoegh-Guldberg (University of Queensland) and Matthew Wright (Beyond Zero Emissions) and the music of Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu, The Lurkers and The Horseflies.
Speakers are:
John Hepburn, Greenpeace
Jacinta Green, Stop-CSG Sydney
Geoff Cameron, Beyond Zero Emissions
Larissa Waters, Queensland Greens Senator
Loss of biodiversity impacts on people and communities too, say psychologists
Loss of biodiversity impacts on people and communities too, say psychologists
Environmental degradation and the accompanying loss of biodiversity have an impact on human health and well-being and only a holistic approach will assist both people and natural environments to adapt to that change, according to a recent Australian Psychological Society (APS) submission to the Government.
The Australian Psychological Society has lots of interesting material available on their website.
Of particulate interest in Sustainability is dealing with the impacts on Children and people in the sometime divisive subject of Climate change.
See also Talking with children and adolescents about the environment.
Garden Hub connecting community gardens and individuals
Are you inclinded to underestimate ?
Sustainability is not just for the Environment or reducing our impact it includes social sustainability. Can we help others to live full and rewarding lives ? Common Cause thinks so, and has the tools and resources to do so. If you visit there site now you can take the quick quiz How well do you know your Sydney?
Many of us have lived in Sydney for all our lives but don’t really know what’s going on. Take the quick quiz to see whether you know the real Sydney.
After answering the correct answers will be displayed.
I was surprised how I underestimated things, what about you ?
Visit Now www.commoncause.com.au
You can also Access A summary of the Common Cause Report into Sydney’s key social issues or the summary report. Note the two reports are miss labeled on the website links.
When people lives are healthy they can then work with us to improve our lives and the environment.
More thrills and Spills than a fossil fuel driven race ?
CSG Workshop and Panel Discussion $
The National Centre for Groundwater Research and Training (NCGRT) in conjunction with the Australian Water Association is presenting a three-hour workshop to discuss the science underpinning coal seam gas.
Professor Craig Simmons, director of the NCGRT; Professor William L Fisher, Department of Geological Sciences - University of Texas; and Professor Peter G. Flood, Emeritus professor, retired Deputy Vice Chancellor at the University of New England, will present followed by a panel session to answer questions from participants.
These scientists are among the world’s foremost experts on coal seam gas. They are responsible for setting the research agenda, and can authoritatively articulate the difficulties and opportunities in the field. This workshop will be of interest to anyone wanting to understand the current state of play of science in coal seam gas, both nationally and internationally.
DATE & LOCATIONS
Sydney Tuesday, 24 July 2012, 2-5pm followed by drinks and canapés, Aerial Room, University of Technology Sydney (UTS)
Melbourne Thursday, 26 July 2012, 9am -12pm followed by light lunch, Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre
Brisbane Friday, 27 July 2012, 2-5pm followed by drinks and canapés (prior to QLD Gala Dinner and Awards Night), Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre
Workshop Fees
AWA Member $300
Non Member $385
Student $150
Gardening in harmony with native wildlife workshop Saturday, 2 June.
Date: Saturday, 2 June. Time: 9 am–11 am
Presenters: Kim Strong and Brigette Sharp from WIRES.
Place: Randwick Community Organic Garden, Paine Reserve, Corner Rainbow and Botany Streets, Randwick
RSVP by 31 May: Jessica Perini perini.jessica@gmail.com
Cost: Members of garden free. Friends of the garden $10. Non-members $20 to be paid on the day. Please bring correct change.
Topics: Introduction to WIRES • What native birds, mammals, reptiles and frogs live in urban environments? • Why should we protect native wildlife? • Types of habitat • Plants to attract wildlife • Wildlife solutions to issues in organic gardens (snails, rats, bountiful insects) • How to protect fruit trees (and native wildlife) • And so much more!
CASES Next Meeting Tonight - Wednesday 23rd of may
- We will discuss the success of the Join the Dots day organised by Leeanne and how we can do more like this.
- Tony will be dispelling a few climate myths to spark a conversation.
- We hope to welcome a few new members at this meeting and would like to evaluate what our next actions will be.
- Tony will present and overview of our reach on the internet and how to build it.
- Otherwise the Agenda is yours, with lots of open discussion planned. See you there.
Arrive at 7 to share food or by 7:30 when the meeting starts.
Meeting Location and time
7:00pm (to eat),
7:30pm – 9:00pm meeting.
Barrett House
6 Barrett Place, Randwick;
Did you know CASES is also present on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ClimateActionSydneyEasternSuburbs
and our group and others publish useful information to http://www.sustainabilitynews.net.au/
“Bush School” documentary & local organic dinner | Transition Sydney
This Wednesday, 23 May, 6:30 pm… We will screen “Bush School” for Sorry Day and share another healthy and delicious local organic dinner. Yumm! :-)
Sydney Central ATA - Tuesday 12 June - Geoexchange Heating and Cooling Systems
Yale will present a short overview of geoexchange heating and cooling systems and their various applications. He will include a series of local and international case studies that will range from residential applications through to commercial projects, including office buildings, Councils, universities etc.
Yale Carden has a First Class Honours degree in Environmental Science and a Masters in Environmental Engineering. Yale has been working in the sustainability sector for over fifteen years and has spent the past six years working with geoexchange systems. He is a member and certified installer with the International Ground Source Heat Pump Association (IGSHPA) and has advised on Geoexchange systems across the Asia Pacific.
This year the University of Technology Sydney, TAFE NSW Ultimo College and ABC Ultimo are hosting a joint âGreen Weekâ of activities during the week of 4-8 June. This week incorporates World Environment Day on Tuesday 5 June and World Oceans Day on Friday the 8th.
ATA has been invited to participate in Green Week by hosting a free stall on Monday 4 June to help promote environmental NGOs and their work to students and staff of UTS, TAFE and ABC. You are welcome to conduct fundraising activities and sign-up new members on the day.
Venue: concourse of UTS Tower Building 1
Date: Monday 4 June
Time: 9 am â 2 pm
Cost: free
6.00 for 6.30 pm, Tuesday, 22 May 2012
University of Technology, Sydney
Ultimo campus, Room CB02.07.110
Main Speaker: Â Â Â Â Paul Dastoor (University of Newcastle)
Topic: Â Â Â Â The Potential for an Organic Solar PV Industry in Australia
Future Directions Speaker: Â Â Â James Cox (SIM Venture Securities)
To register and more information, click here or email nswbranch@auses.org.au.
ATA Sydney Central branch regularly receives invitations  of interest to our branch members but we are careful to ensure we do not fill up your inbox. So that you do not miss we have started to post these items to Sustainability News Faceboo
ATA Sydney Central Branch -Â Treasurer
Phone: 0407 55 88 47
Support La Perouse Market Gardens
La Perouse Market Gardens are under threat from a takeover by Botany Cemetery. Randwick Council is debating it’s Local Environmental Plan at their meeting this Tuesday, May 22 from 6:00 PM.
If you are a resident of Randwick please attend for support and, if you feel so motivated, present a three minute ‘supplication’ in support of the Gardens to the Councillors but you need to register by noon, Tuesday!
