Are you concerned about climate change, peak oil, etc?
Join a dynamic, creative community group focused on education and action. Geelong Sustainability Group's vision is an environmentally and economically sustainable, spiritually fullfilling and socially just human presence on the planet.
Climate change is an emergency for our community, our nation and our planet : we bring together Geelong residents and organisations who want to create solutions.
Thanks to all those who participated in our Walk Against Warming Geelong on 12 December 2009. Apart from the movie of our human sign (above) you can see Geelong Advertiser photos here and a copy of the media articles at the side (click to enlarge)
Our next bi-monthly meeting at Beav's Bar (77 Little Malop St Geelong) will be on Wed 27 January 2010 at 7pm . Click on events for more info coming soon. Details of what happened at past general meetings are set out in our blog.
We are had a fantastic result with over 1160 visitors on Sustainable House Day, Sunday September 13th in Geelong with 7 homes participating.
For people between 10 and 30yrs, you can connect with Geelong Youth for Climate Action (a sub group of GSG) as well if you like. Contact Karina Donkers on kdon@deakin.edu.au. Their last major event was a World Environment Day gig on June 6.
We'd love to read your thoughts so please add to the Discussion forum. Check out the myriad sustainability Events around Geelong. For events outside the Geelong region check out the Climate Action Calendar.
Also please spread the word about the site and encourage others to join as a friend or member.
December News
Energy / Solar
Around 70 households took advantage of our Geelong Goes Solar bulk buy before the Federal Government abruptly pulled the pin. Well done to all involved for making a positive contribution to Geelong's carbon footprint.To check out the impact of air travel for CO2 emissions and the other climate change impacts go to www.chooseclimate.org/flying/mf.html.
Eg: a return trip to Venezeula flying economy on a plane that is 80% full would emit 3478kg of CO2 and have a warming effect of 10433kg CO2 equivalent ie 10 times the ideal annual emissions per person for a year ie 10 years of carbon emissions in a 2 week period just for the return journey.
Please share this website as many seem to be unaware of the impact of their travel and the need to restrain themselves in this area of life.
Sustainability Guide for Renters : This new guide is packed with useful information. Download from www.envict.org.au/rentersguide
Solar Hot Water rebate : Note that there is now a $1600 rebate for those who replace an existing electric hot water system with a solar hot water system. See Solar Hot Water
Free insulation : Click here to find out more about the $1600 grants for putting insulation in your house.
Bulk Buy of Solar heating and Ventilation system Solar Venti. Contact Gavin on gavinb@globalneighbourhood.org or call Gavin on 0411 788 057 or Phil on 0417 554 791 for a site visit or for questions. Bulk buy ends in October 09 but you can purchase after that by contacting Phil.
Free Globes : Go to this website, type in your details and get 2 free Energy Saving Light Globes. Or you can get all your globes done for free by Envirosaver. They get carbon offset certificates for the emissions saved by the new globes and they trade them on the market.
Share cars : Would you like to convince one of the 2 car share companies in Melbourne to position a car in Geelong ? See Green Transport
Possible solar plant in Geelong : Click on Energy options for Geelong to find out more
Climate Action Calendar for Feb / March (covers statewide events)
Climate Campaigning
Copenhagen - Here is one
website with up to date info on what is happening
Win on coal exporting : to read about the backdown on exporting Victorian brown coal click here
20% Renewable Energy Targets passed! The Federal Government has finally passed the 20% Renewable Energy Target. To find out more, click on Federal Govt targets
Feed-in tariff : The State Governnment's feed-in tariff legislation was passed by the upper house on 25 June 09. It now includes many of the amendments that were lobbied for by groups such as hours. To find out more click on Feed-in Tariff
Federal Goverrnment's Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme : to find out what is (not) happening, click on Federal Govt targets
Watch this : one of the most moving and incredible climate videos we have seen : the big ask
Councils set to spend up on climate change. Local councils have set aside money for adaption and local action plans on climate. We welcome this move and will be interested in the details of how the money is to be spent. For the full story, click on Local Government
Community Change
Congratulations to member Sam Smith who has been employed as Sustainability Officer for the Borough of Queenscliff! Also congratulations to Rachel Brown who is the Surf Coast Shire Sustainablity Officer and to Andrew Lucas who is now the Eco Living Manager of 9 community Houses!
Walking Action Groups - Have a look on our sustainable transport page for how to start up your own local walking action group.
Transition Bell and Transition South Barwon: Both are doing some of the most exciting work assisting communities to transition to a low energy future and create community resilience. Check out the web pages on this site and "Events" for exciting and informative ways to meet like minded people and build solutions from the ground up. A number GSG members have been particularly active in establishing and running these ie Andrew Lucas, Goshen Watts, Robyn Hodge, Alex Bourne, Janet Massey, Doug Rolfe, Mark Hoffman etc
Surf Coast LETS (local energy trading scheme) is starting up. To find out more, click here
Proposed Otway Surf Coast / Eco Arts Community : to find out the latest, click here or contact Tabitha or Justin on tabitha_inbox@bigpond.com
Phil Baulch and Monica Winston are facilitating Changing the Dream Symposium events. It is a powerful way to be empowered or empower others to take inspiring actions to transform our world. They ran a private one recently in a team including Karina Donkers (Geelong Youth for Climate action) for 60 year 8 students at Clonard College on their fantastic Sustainability Day, 4th Dec. Contact us to organise one in your area/workplace/school/home.
Here's 20 things to do in challenging times.doc
Sustainable food / permaculture / Biodiversity
Geelong Organic Gardeners are a fantastic group to join full of laughter, great books, knowledge to share, seeds and an incredible newsletter. www.gog.org.au
Kylie and Lars organise an organic vegie box. If interested see purchasing organic
Monica Winston and Andrew Lucas will be running more Permaculture education courses in 2009. Email Monica on goldenalight@yahoo.com.au if interested.
Random Quote "What you guys have created is more powerful than the gardens you have made, it is the concept of the permablitz... the idea that landscapes of lawn, shrubs, concrete and dog mess are not the pinnacle of human achievement, but are an odd manifestation of an age with more oil than sense, and the idea that we can change them, and we can change them fast. Out with the lawn and in with the salad!" Rob Hopkins, originator of the Transition Network
Water
The Government is currently offering an extra rebate on water bills to people who purchase water saving products for the garden. This offer only goes to the end of May and is in addition to the annual rebate for the 'basket of goods' rebate. You can read all about it here or see Water
Current discounts for members
Bike Power in Belmont (corner of Corio and Belmont Streets - just east of the PO) run by members of GSG are offering 10% discount ongoingly.
Yoga Dojo
In appreciation of all the fabbo work and commitment to our precious environment provided by members of Geelong Sustainability Group, I'd like to provide a 10% discount on all yoga classes and courses at Yoga Dojo. To get the discount, members will just need to let me know they are members of GSG when they are paying for their class / course.
Some new courses events coming up they may be of interest to your members are:
Namaste,
Adrienne Stephens, Director, YOGA DOJO
3/34 Malop Street, Geelong, 3220
P: 03 5229 1910
M: 0450 959 191
We have parents, educators, gardeners, artists, social workers, builders, architects, business people, local govt employees, scientists, leaders, health professionals etc in this group.
There are many many talented, educated and skilled people who have joined this network and it's wonderful to be connected.