Garnaut dishes it up for Australian government.

The final report is in.  A 10% cut in carbon dioxide emissions is recommended by 2020 to keep Australia “on track” although the report also outlines that a 25% reduction would be wise.

I have not yet read the full report so I will not comment further (yet).  I have put a link in here if you are interested in reading the full report: http://www.garnautreport.org.au/

Anyway, our government will review the report and make their decision by the end of the year. I hope that Christmas brings some firm commitments to take the lead on the climate change issue no matter what the rest of the world decides.  During these turbulent times we can’t all put our heads in the sand and hope the problem goes away!

Global Warming concerns drop from top spot for Australians.

Figures came out today stating that the Australian public is now more concerned about job security and strengthening the economy than global warming. This is understandable on one level with the global credit crisis still grabbing the headlines but it is clear that many people still don’t get it.

Global warming will do more damage to the economy than anything that Wall Street can dole out.  In many places mortgages will be the last thing on people’s minds as their homes disappear under rising seas, burn in forest fires or become uninhabitable due to chronic lack of water.  Not many people are interested in eating out, buying a new TV or installing a new kitchen when there is no place to call home.

Of course this is a grim picture that we all hope will never happen but if we do nothing our nightmare may just become reality. There is no doubt that people are taking environmental issues very seriously. More people are getting back to basics by growing their own veggies, taking the car less and choosing more “environmentally light” products. These actions may be motivated more by economics and food safety concerns than environmental impact but it is a start.

For many “Global Warming” is a new concern, something that has gathered pace and entered the mainstream only in the last five or so years. Like any other “new” challenge it will take a while for the general public to fully embrace.  I hope that Australian’s and Australian politicians keep the faith and aim high when it comes to the greening of our country. I know that we can do it but it will involve a little pain – a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down!

Schools out: Where’s the party?

How do you entertain the little people when you are trying to be clean, green and eco friendly? Well, I have a few ideas up my green sleaves…..

1) Home Bake.  Kids love to help out in the kitchen and during term time when nerves are fraught time is of the essence. When school is out why not let the kids get their hands dirty? Gingerbread goes down well in my house – we make heaps of people then decorate them with the usual sweet suspects.  Pumpkin soup also goes down well as does mashed potato. Anything that involves cutting, mixing and squashing. Just don’t get too precious about it – let them go crazy!

2) Home shop.  Let them set up shop with tins and dried goods out of your kitchen. They can make promotional signs, dress dolls to parade as customers and stack the shelves high.

3) Garage sale! We all have too much stuff and the holidays can be a good time to go through and sort out what is and isn’t needed any more. Turn your trash into cash and then use it for a family treat or donate it to your favorite charity.

4) Teddy Bears picnic.  Everyone likes a walk in the woods but for little ones, taking teddy opens up the imagination and ensures that those little legs keep walking! Taking a picnic of homemade goodies also adds to the adventure.

5) Back yard science. Everyone loves an explosion! Bicarb and vinegar will do it every time (with a little supervision). Rockets can be made out of camera film cases, slime from corn flower, blood from chocolate sauce and much more (see www.fizzicseducation.com.au for more).

6) Green Fingers. OK so you do have to go to the shops and purchase some seeds if you are not lucky enough to have off cuts or friends to borrow from but sowing seeds is the gift that keeps on giving. Get the kids involved in choosing a spot, digging and preparing the garden and sowing the seeds. They can even make signs for their plot and photograph the seeds growing (OK, patience is also required for this one).

7) Party in the park with friends. Everyone has access to a play area. Why not gather friends together for an alfresco play date?  Making a treasure hunt or taking a bat for softball will ensure that everyone gets involved.

Body painting. Let the kids go crazy with the paint pot. Why not let them use their feet, hands and knees to create some art on a grand scale?  They could even peg them up afterwards and invite friends to their very own art expo!

9) Go to the library. Most libraries now offer more than books. With toys, DVD’s and games to borrow, activities to get involved in and reading challenges to complete the Library is great family fun. It doesn’t break the bank and it is light on resources.

10) Put in some hours with your local wildlife sanctuary or national park charity. Not only will this be a great way to meet people in your local area it is also a chance to give something back to your community. Most groups welcome people dropping in but don’t forget sunscreen, hat, gloves and good boots – even for the kids.

If all else fails get on your bike and head for the sunset. Whatever happens enjoy getting back to “green” basics!

Consumerism will save us?

The last two weeks have been a financial roller coaster. Sesame Street now looks a safer bet than Wall Street and the aftershocks of the subprime mortgage crisis are still reverberating on a global scale.  The western world has largely based their economic policies on consumerism.  We, the people aspire to owning our own houses; we feel that we deserve our annual trip abroad, our new car and our everyday luxuries. My generation and those following me are the “hear and now” people. We are not used to saving or going without. Indeed the realization that some material possessions may be out of our financial reach permanently would send them running off to therapy. So is this a bad thing?

Consumerism as a theory, a way of life and an economic policy is a double edged sword. The more people want, the harder they will work. The more products made available, the more things there are to desire.  All of this cash means that governments have the means to make improvements, provide assistance to the disadvantaged, insure national security and invest in the future.  When managed correctly this looks like a dream come true. Everyone’s a winner!

However, we all now know that this wanton desire for more has a down side. The slide into credit hell has not happened overnight. I left the UK 4 1/2 years ago and it was just before I left that a daily newspaper created a fictional character, gave him an address and waited. Within a few months this “potential consumer” had received over $200,000 worth of unsolicited invitations for lines of credit.  Money was cheap and the financial world wanted everyone to get on the wagon. At the same time real people who had been working harder and harder, putting in more hours and suffering longer commutes felt the need to reward themselves. House prices were also rising and the average citizen felt like they had won a mini lottery. Spend up they did.  Over time applying for credit became easier and easier until borrowing 5-6 times your annual salary to buy your dream house became the norm, adding a holiday and a car to the mortgage – why wouldn’t you? People with minimal proof that they could repay loans were offered cash; after all with house prices rising and “jobs for all” getting the money back would be easy, right?

Now we know that this fairy tale can turn to a nightmare what next? The world is waiting with baited breath to see if the American’s can pull off a rescue package to save their economy.  A quick hit is what Wall Street needs and then some form of rehabilitation plan and counseling to prevent a relapse.

Why does “my eco life” care?  Simple.  We all consume too much, we are heavy on resources and we have a throw away attitude that will get us into trouble eventually. I am watching with baited breath to see what effect this crisis has on the psyche of consumers around the western world. I believe that consumerism is a good thing as it encourages us to strive, to improve and to enrich our lives. However, this only works when approached in a level headed and intelligent way with strong political leadership. My hope is that this crisis will shock us into being more conscious consumers. I hope that we will re-evaluate our love affair with our pocket plastic friend. I hope that we will realize the power of our actions and use our hard earned dollars to support ethical production. I hope that we stop and think. I hope that we continue to have faith that we can make the world a better place.

Whichever way you look at it, money makes the world go around. I just hope that the money is GREEN!

whales, white sands and wall E.

Our family took some much needed time out together this week with a short trip up-coast to see the hump backed whales on their migration back to the ant-arctic. We were not disappointed. Within minutes of our boat arriving at the sea shelf we saw the whales blow holes indicating 2, 3 maybe 4 whales in the area.  Our eldest child was fixated and moved around the boat to get a better look; the younger one fell asleep on dad and missed the whole thing. It always amazes me how big whales really are. Staying at a safe distance of around 100 meters away these magnificent creatures still manage to take your breath away with their size, agility and power. Sharing this experience with the family made for one amazing day.

Port Stephens does have some nice white sandy beaches but during this trip we didn’t find them!  We spent most of the week dodging storm clouds and when we did manage to get to the beach it was a rather messy affair.  It was, however a great trip out. Having a chance to sit and the children making castles, pictures and road networks using just their bare hands and imaginations is glorious.  In a time when “fun” has to be manufactured, pulled out of a packed or “paid entry” an empty beach and a full imagination really warm the heart.  Bring on summer!

Finally as my birthday treat (getting older already!)  We all went to the cinema to see the new Pixar movie Wall E.  The deep and painful message behind the cute cartoon pictures hit a chord with me.  I would love to believe that we can stop trashing the Earth and thinking that someone else will tidy up, but I am not sure.  The film portrays a world where humans have moved into space after trashing the Earth, Wall E is a robot left behind to clean up our mess.  The story is played out simply and effectively, the message clear to all who care to open their eyes. All I can think about is the song by Jonie Mitchel – Big Yellow taxi “they took all the trees and put them in a tree museum”. However cuddly Wall E may be, let’s hope that we don’t need him any time soon and that our trees can be viewed for free for many centuries to come.

Happy Holidays!

Just Breathe

Finding some breathing space in today’s hustle and bustle is not as easy as it sounds. I am nearly always running, mobile in hand, notepad and paper close by and idea’s buzzing around in my head.  There are meals to cook, washing to deal with, bills to pay, articles to write, customers to see, Children to teach and meetings to attend. It is no wonder that breathing features low on my “to do” list (not that I have time to write or read one)…

I do sometimes feel sorry for myself, want to curl up in bed and tell the world to do without me for a while.   However, sometimes  I love the drama, the challenge and the feeling of being needed. It would be easier if  I could be happy with living a life more ordinary (whatever that may be) but that is not me. I do, however need to stop, take a breath and re-calibrate once in a while to make sure I am on the right track. I also expect that I am not alone in this mania.

My eco life really got a battering last month as I struggled to juggle many different balls. I realised that living green was never meant to be a solo activity – indeed it is near on impossible to battle on as a green martyr when you have to manage family / work and social commitments.  I found myself (and my equally burdened husband) turning to the take away shop  with frightening regularity,  shopping wherever was closest, buying whatever satisfied with minimum fuss, driving the car EVERYWHERE and seeking our entertainment from the TV. Our garden, dog and kids suffered.

September is looking much more pleasant. We have a whale watching holiday to look forward to, veggies to plant, dogs to walk and bread to bake in a brand new oven. Living life in the fast lane is only fun when you can mix it with a sanity infusing pit stop. Not everyone is lucky enough to have this option. I understand and am thankful of that.

I promise to make the most of my down time. I just hope that the kids are ready for me!