A community at work
June 30th, 2010 — food + gardens, inspiration
The Australia and New Zealand Biochar Researchers Network delivered a workshop on Monday 28 June – an opportunity to learn basic facts about biochar and its potential applications and benefits.
Biochar can be produced from a wide range of organic materials – wood waste, paper waste, municipal green waste, animal manures and crop residues, to name a few.
(Click on graphic to enlarge.)
Continue reading →
May 10th, 2010 — energy saving, inspiration
Plugging energy waste in your home can be one of those rare investments that provide a guaranteed financial return.
By way of comparison, this graph (click on it to enlarge) compares your dividend on $10,000 invested in Microsoft shares versus investment in home energy saving retrofit (for a 5 year period.)
What the chart doesn’t show is 1) many energy saving measures cost almost nothing and 2) expenditures in energy saving keep paying back, year after year, for the life of the home. Once they have paid themselves back they effectively become a continuing source of household income. Full story HERE.
February 16th, 2010 — events, inspiration
ROLL UP, ROLL UP it’s Waterworks Harvest Fair time again!!!
Calling all you wonderful valley people who would like to help set up our second Harvest Fair about fun, food and sustainable living – it’s on Sunday March 28. Click HERE to see poster.
I am hostessing weekly morning teas (with scones) 10am at my house (144 Waterworks Rd) every Wednesday before the fair.
Amanda Sully (sully.amanda@gmail.com)
Please come if you are able to put in some real time and energy as we need your help!!!
November 10th, 2009 — inspiration
The above image depicts two million plastic beverage bottles – the number used in the US every five minutes.
Artist Chris Jordan has been in Hobart this week with his mind blowing artwork depicting consumerism and waste. The statistics will stun you, his pictures are amazing.
Click HERE and go down to Running The Numbers.
October 22nd, 2009 — inspiration, landcare + faunacare
Last Sunday an orchid walk was organised by the Waterworks Valley Landcare Group and the Council. Unfortunately not many people attended, probably because of the clash with the climate friendly home visits. However, if you want to see some beautiful orchids like those in the pictures below, head southwards across the road and up the hill from the Waterworks Reserve gates.
September 24th, 2009 — inspiration
Do you know how to make shoes? Can you build a house? How about grow food? Do you have a doctor and a dentist in your circle of friends?
Read more HERE.
(This American article is very relevant to the whole world – you and me included. What do readers think about including such ‘big picture’ articles in this website?)
May 22nd, 2008 — activism, inspiration
If you ever feel a little disheartened or disempowered, then spare a few moments to read the article below – originally published in Orion magazine last year.
“I have given nearly one thousand talks about the environment in the past fifteen years, and after every speech a smaller crowd gathered to talk, ask questions, and exchange business cards. The people offering their cards were working on the most salient issues of our day: climate change, poverty, deforestation, peace, water, hunger, conservation, human rights, and more. They were from the non-profit and nongovernmental world, also known as civil society.”
