Environmentality, 11 January 2012

Energy and more specifically Wind energy is the central topic of discussion on this weeks show. Greg Barber leader of the Victorian Greens published the article  'Blow Hot and Cold' in the Weekly Times that addresses the Liberal 'about - face' towards the development of Victorias Wind Industry. With South Australia successfully incorporating Wind energy into the grid Greg points out some of the more worrying policies that could hamper Victorias ability to follow suit.

Greg also draws our attention to the potential for farmers to diversify land management and income plus, wind energies low cost and speed in reducing green house admissions.

Portland Wind Farm

Summer solstice - Engineers Without Borders

Dear Environmentality listeners,

On the 21st of December we had not only the summer solstice to celebrate but also our last show for the year, and Alicia had lined up an excellent guest to mark this momentous occasion.

Daniel A'Vard combines his job as a Sustainability Consultant with a volunteer position as the Victorian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engagement Champion at Engineers Without Borders Australia. By the way, check out their website, it is one of the best looking ones I have seen in a long time!

To be completely honest with you all, I must confess that  I was a little bit off my game and I felt that not enough justice had been done to Daniel, who despite all this was able to convey his passion for community development and social and environmental justice, and to talk about the great work that Engineers Without Borders Australia does. Hopefully we can have him in the studio sometime in 2012.

As you may have noticed, we have taken a holiday break for the last two weeks but we will be back on the 11th of January...

Listen to the show!

Live and Learn - 14 December 2011

Dear Environmentality listeners,

Our regular blog coordinator is in Madagascar and as you can see we are struggling to keep up her good work. However after hearing Christian Nielsen speak again while I was editing the show this morning I decided it was time to share our guest's amazing enthusiasm and knowledge with all of you!

Christian is the Executive Director of Live and Learn Environmental Education, an organisation that I had never heard about until our lovely Pre-Production Coordinator Alicia organised the interview.

It would be fair to say that both Smokey and I were blown away by the amazing work that this organisation does in countries as diverse as Cambodia, Vietnam or Australia, and a little bit ashamed about our lack of knowledge.

One of the parts of the interview that particularly struck me was Christian's comment that the general Australian public is asleep when it comes to action on environmental sustainability. I probably had not thought about it in those terms but I have to say that I tend to agree with him. What do you think?

I see, you have not listened to the show yet... what are you waiting for?

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Two shows in one article! 23 November and 7 December

Dear Environmentality listeners,

A few technical hiccups made us lose a bit of momentum with our schedule of weekly uploads and articles but hopefully we will be back on track by the end of the week.

On the 23rd of November we had a very pleasant chat with Marcelle Holdaway from Hume City Council, who was sharing the news of an exciting community environmental program called Environmental Champions Program. It's a great opportunity for Hume residents so if you are interested do apply as they still have a couple of free places!

Marcelle also talked to us about one of her areas of expertise, Social Accounting; and about an environmentally friendly house that she built many years ago.

Two weeks later we had a fantastic telephone interview with Rebecca Gillin from Planet Ark. Rebecca gave us an overview of the fantastic programs carried out by Planet Ark and she showed an impressive amount of knowledge about recycling and its benefits. We also learnt about Planet Ark's campaign for the festive season: the 12 Do's of Christmas.

Clearly this three paragraph summary does not do any justice to our two fantastic guests so why don't you listen to the shows?

Environmentality 23 November - Hume City Council

Environmentality 7 December - Planet Ark

Wednesday 30th November 2011

When Jaime's away, the Smokey will play!

No guests, no main man, so I've got a nicely self-indulgent music selection going (Jenny Odoline is the whole marvellous 18 minute album version)

I try to do a bit of environmentality stuff, even my ideas on what the word means. Hint: it's a state-of-being, an unconcious aversion to waste & mindless consumption; it's cycling to get somewhere, not cycling on a machine at the gym watching Channel Seven with the sound loud enough to annoy, but not to hear)

I'm playing:
Sunny sundae smile / My Bloody Valentine
How soon is now / The Smiths
When you sleep / The Field Mice
Jenny Odoline / Stereolab
Is there anyone out there for me? / Mighty Mighty
Karen / The Go Betweens
Baby honey / The Pastels

Dear Environmentality Listeners,

We bounce down this week with Darren Cook from the North Melbourne Football Club. In partnership with The Huddle, The Squeaky Wheel, Victoria Police, City of Melbourne, and the University of Melbourne, My Bike Project aims at raising awareness and education to culturally and linguistically diverse young people in Melbourne’s inner-north. To find out exactly whats involved and how to register in the future tune into the podcast. Darren would love it if our listeners could also check out their facebook page . Comments and suggestions are welcome. And for all our footy fan followers, Jaime also asked Darren the all important question 'What are your tips' for next season?

Eve Archibald, the Nursery Manager at CERES Community Environment Park also provided some cracking tips for the garden. Sales in the nursery have been dominated by vegetable seedlings of late as people begin to embrace the up coming summer months. Jaime took this opportunity to ask Eve about non-toxic, safe alternatives to control snails in your garden. All we will say is that it involves shouting your snails a round of 'Beer'! Eve then went on to clearly describe just what Permaculture is and great ideas to better integrate strategies into your lifestyle. Head to the podcast for all the details.

And don't forget to check out all the up coming workshops and events at CERES over the summer.

What are your best eco-friendly Snail Slaying methods?

Leave your suggestions in our comments.

Listen to the show!

Environmentality, 09 November 2011

Dear Environmentality Listeners,

We have returned with a scientific bang! This week we were joined by Roger Jones, Professorial Research Fellow at the Centre for Strategic Economic Studies, Victoria University. One of Rodgers aims is to bring Science and Policy together. As the senate passed the Carbon Tax this week such a relationship can be seen to be of great importance.

Roger Jones has a background in Earth Science, Environmental Science, Indigenous Nurseries and completed his PhD in the History of Crater Lakes. It is from this foundation that Roger works towards and greatly informs his approach in the adaptation to Climate Change. Social justice and environmental security are just a few of the morals and ethics woven through this weeks show. Along with estimations and conversions from Roger that will help our listeners to better visualize the potential real world effects in the reduction of carbon emissions.

Image courtesy of Independent Media Centre Australia

Climate policy is highlighted as an important step in tackling Climate Change. As is the efforts of the individual. Roger is quick to point out that the actions of an individual can provide global benefits. And it is with this that we end another great show.

Environmentality has another way for the individual to take action...Simply tune in to the show each week and listen out for our Listeners Challenge! This weeks prize consists of Enviroshop vouchers AND movie tickets. First listener to leave the correct answer as instructed by Jaime WINS!

So come on Environmentality Listeners take action!