Dear Environmentality Listeners,
It was an action packed show, with Smokey,
Jaime and Danielle interviewing no less than three guests!
First of all, Dan Atkins reminded listeners
about Sustainability Drinks, which is held in Melbourne on the first Wednesday
of every month. Started 5
years ago, around 150 people have been attending Sustainability Drinks each
month. Tonight’s guest speaker is
Scott Kinnear from Organic Wholefoods. Organic Wholefoods is a family business of organic
wholefoods, promoting health and sustainability.
Dan Atkins has noticed many positive
outcomes arising out of guests attending Sustainability Drinks. Around 50% of people are new guests
each month. Career changes are
instigated, business ideas are sparked and friendships are forged! Held at the Slate Restaurant Bar 6-8pm. See: Http://melbournesustainabilitydrinks.com
The co-presenters then spoke with Damien
Harrison, who is the Natural Heritage Officer from the Hume City Council. Damien works within the Hume’s
Environment Department comprising 14 staff. The team are responsible for the
management of natural areas, greenhouse reduction program, sustainable water
management, environmental planning and a sustainable education program.
Damien oversaw the development of the Hume
City Council’s Natural Heritage Strategy 2011-2015, which is currently a finalist for a United Nations Environment Day award (announced this Friday!). The Strategy aims to enhance Hume's environment and broadly covers four
themes: waterways, wildlife, flora/fauna and geology.
Damien has certainly been busy in the last
few years he has been working with the Hume City Council! Alongside his
colleagues, the Hume City Council have undertaken work with the community in
planning, land preservation, conservation and education. Around 60% of the Hume area is
still rural, with much of the natural ‘values’ occurring on private land. There
is a service provided to work with landholders to help manage their land, for
example in weed management. Other
focus areas include protection and management of parks, wetlands and grasslands.
A website link: http://www.hume.vic.gov.au/Waste_Environment/Environment
Finally, the Environmentality team enjoyed a quick chat with Helen from CarrotMob. The CarrotMob Challenge encourages
several businesses to improve their environmental performance. A winner is
selected, and then rewarded by a large number of customers spending money at that
business. To date, the businesses participating have largely been cafes or food stores. The CarrotMob is best thought of
as the opposite to a boycott!
The current CarrotMob Challenge is currently paired up
with the City of Melbourne’s Eco Carlton Program. You can vote online for the
most sustainable business out of five Carlton contenders via the website below. Helen also calls listeners to take
action and instigate a Carrotmob Challenge in their own area! Here is a link to the blog: http://carrotmobmelbourne.wordpress.com/
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