Environmentality 17 December 2014, Jodi Jackson, My Everyday Garden - Organic pest control

This week was a little blast from the recent past with Leanne joining the show for the first time since August. Leanne couldn’t resist coming in and speaking with Jodi one last time this year. It was a great show, as usual, with the theme of the show being garden pests and control solutions for the everyday gardener. Click here for a listen.

This blog is probably going to look more like a Christmas catalogue promotion of potential Christmas gifts for all you green thumbs out there but hey, I’ve seen them first hand and I wouldn’t mind receiving them myself!

gadgetcage.com

During the first music break today, Jodi showed us some amazing macro photographs she has taken on her iPhone, yes that’s right, iPhone. Jodi showed us a little device you attach to the top right corner of the phone that sits over the camera lens which give you a 10x zoom instantly. Along with the zoom, the little device also comes with a fish-eye and wide angle lens all in one. So for all your little bug shots take a look at this olloclip. And, if you want to check out some of Jodi’s photos using the said device, check out Jodi Instagram feed @everydayinthegarden (some photos below). FYI - Environmentality will be looking at getting an Instagram account in the New Year so look out for that.

Jodi's photo

Another one of Jodi's photos

 

Jodi brought in some books for us to flick through today and also recommend to our listeners. Both books are well worth getting your hands on so I’ve provided the details below.

Natural Control of Garden Pests by Jackie French

What Garden Pest or Disease Is That? by Judy McMaugh

Some other links that we promised to include are to some information about whitefly’s main predator Encarsia formosa as well as a link to Jodi’s insect hotels which you can use to attract Encarsia formasa to your garden. Mind you, if you have the materials and the enthusiasm you can build them yourself and they don’t have to be as extravagant as the ones Jodi makes J

We also said we would add a photo of the curl grub aka cockchafer  and some additional info on them.

Curl Grubs. image from organicgarden.com.au

Ok now that all the promotions are out of the way (PLEASE NOTE: Environmentality does not receive any kick-backs…but we wish we did!) all of us at Environmentality would like to say thanks for listening and we wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

We will be back better than ever in the New Year so keep on tuning in beginning from the 7^th January when we speak to Executive Director of Zero Emissions Matthew Wright, something to look forward to while you’re having a relaxing holiday.

Music tracks:

Gone Gone Gone by Phillip Phillips

Distance by Beaches

Follow The Sun by Xavier Rudd

Environmentality 10 December 2014, Emily Braham, Editor at Sanctuary Magazine

Issue 29 - Summer Issue

It’s mid-December and summer hasn’t quite hit us here in Melbourne yet which is becoming a bit of trend in recent years. Over the last few years, the summer season has been making up for lost time by extending into the months of March, April and even May as well as producing more heatwave events during this period. This is a somewhat worrying trend that, according to the CSIRO and BoM, will continue on its path of increased frequency and intensity heatwaves. Never fear, despite some of us being ignorant and/or arrogant towards our own impact on the environment (no names mentioned here), us humans are an adaptive bunch and we come up with clever solutions to complex problems. The current summer issue of Sanctuary Magazine presents some of these clever solutions that aim to tackle some of the current and future issues associated with how we live in a changing climate including how to use your roof to keep cool.

Cool Roof - sanctuarymagazine.org.au

This week on the show we had a good chat with Emily Braham, the editor of Sanctuary Magazine about some of the latest innovations, ideas and examples of green living, architecture and design. It is always difficult to cover a magazine on our show as it is impossible to go through all the content, however we do our best with the time and this week was no different. During our conversation we covered articles on designing your home for a future of climate change and heatwaves, growing a native garden, two house’s that demonstrate sustainable design and the benefits they bring as well as touching on Indigenous Architecture, an approach to design that incorporates 60,000 years of knowledge and learning.  If you missed the show, please check out the podcast to catch up. To see exactly what we are talking about, you should head to the Sanctuary Magazine's website where you can have a read of the articles or subscribe to receive the quarterly issues right to your front door.

Colour me house - sanctuarymagazine.org.au

Next week on the show we have our monthly My Everyday Garden show with resident gardening expert Jodi Jackson.

Music tracks this week were all guest selections (thanks Emily):

We Float by PJ Harvey
Skeletons by Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Skin of the Night by M83
Pass in Time by Beth Orton

Environmentality 3 December 2014, Sarah Day, Founder of Eco-shout

As listeners of Environmentality I’m sure you are aware of at least some of the environmental issues we face as inhabitants on this planet. Now, knowing what you know, I put this ultimatum to you (Disclaimer: Part of this comes from the Eco-Shout website)… You can either:

1. Find out how to change the world, how to get the skills, how to get work and how to get active AND THEN DO IT!

or

2. Give up, embrace escapism and cultivate denial.

That’s it, they are your options. What do you choose?

http://www.inloughborough.com/

It just so happens that this week, we spoke to Sarah Day, the founder of Eco-shout, an organisation helping people to get active in the environmental and social justice movement. Eco-shout proclaims to be a catalyst to action for environmental and social justice and after speaking to Sarah and seeing the resource that is the Eco-shout website, I would have to agree.

Eco-shout has a number of initiatives currently operating out of their website which includes a Sharehousing network for those looking to live with other people who are environmentally/sustainability minded, an events calendar showing upcoming events to get involved with, a jobs network you can use to find environmental/ethical jobs and an active groups directory where you can search the database by category to find groups that might suit your interests or passion.

I recently read one of those ‘how to be happy’ articles one of the (many) steps to happiness was to identify one cause, the one you feel most passionate about and dedicate yourself to helping that cause. So go on, what are you waiting for? Happiness awaits!

To find out more about Sarah Day and Eco-shout, you’ll have to listen to the podcast.

Some links you may find useful:

The TV series Years of Living Dangerously now showing on SBS got a brief mention this week and you can watch via ‘SBS on demand’ or Tuesday nights 9:30pm.

Victorian Election Results – This week on the show we had a brief impromptu discussion around the election results. Check out the link to catch up on all the latest results which include the Australian Greens winning their first ever seat in the lower house of state parliament.

On next week’s show we will be chatting to Emily Braham, Editor of Sanctuary Magazine about the Spring Issue.

The music tracks for this week were all guest selections, thanks Sarah!

Follow the Sun by Xavier Rudd

Monsters by Something for Kate

This World by Katchafire

Qwest by Combat Wombat