At our first session in September there was much discussion about the fires in the Amazon rainforest and the fact that many were deliberately lit to clear land for agricultural use. While these fires are a major concern for the global community we were reminded that many governments around the world were not heeding the warnings from climate scientists. Dr Andrew Glikson, an Earth & Climate scientist at the ANU, writing in The Age (27/8/2019) stated, "As fires rage across the Amazon and while forests are ablaze in Siberia, Alaska, Greenland and southern Europe and parts of Australia …… it would appear parliaments - including Australia's - are preoccupied with economics and international conflicts while they hardly regard the future of civilization as a priority." Unfortunately, many of the articles studied at Sustainability sessions reinforce this point.
The use of recycling is another topic regularly discussed with a number of members suggesting that Victoria should adopt a system similar to Germany with its better sorting of recyclables. An article by a recycling and waste consultant suggested that Victoria should implement a 4 bin system - organics, glass, other recycling and residual waste. If you live in urban Benalla you already have an organics bin which has been very successful in reducing the amount of material going to landfill.
Discussing the issue of recycling always raises the issue of why Victoria is the only state that has not adopted a container deposit scheme.
Another topic that led to much discussion was the question of energy bills and how they had been rising. This led to information about the Victorian government's energy reforms that were introduced on July 1st, including the Victorian Default Offer and the requirement that energy retailers must inform customers if they are on the best energy plan for their circumstances. (See www.esc.vic.gov.au/getting-best-energy-plan and www.energy.vic.gov.au/victoriandefaultoffer)
As the second Sustainability session for September would clash with the "Global School Strike 4 Climate" on September 20, I informed the group that I would not attend the session, as I would be attending a regional 'school strike' to support the young people who are asking adults all over the world to take urgent action on climate change. I encouraged other members of the group to do the same and no doubt this will be a topic for discussion at our first session in October.
John Lloyd
The use of recycling is another topic regularly discussed with a number of members suggesting that Victoria should adopt a system similar to Germany with its better sorting of recyclables. An article by a recycling and waste consultant suggested that Victoria should implement a 4 bin system - organics, glass, other recycling and residual waste. If you live in urban Benalla you already have an organics bin which has been very successful in reducing the amount of material going to landfill.
Discussing the issue of recycling always raises the issue of why Victoria is the only state that has not adopted a container deposit scheme.
Another topic that led to much discussion was the question of energy bills and how they had been rising. This led to information about the Victorian government's energy reforms that were introduced on July 1st, including the Victorian Default Offer and the requirement that energy retailers must inform customers if they are on the best energy plan for their circumstances. (See www.esc.vic.gov.au/getting-best-energy-plan and www.energy.vic.gov.au/victoriandefaultoffer)
As the second Sustainability session for September would clash with the "Global School Strike 4 Climate" on September 20, I informed the group that I would not attend the session, as I would be attending a regional 'school strike' to support the young people who are asking adults all over the world to take urgent action on climate change. I encouraged other members of the group to do the same and no doubt this will be a topic for discussion at our first session in October.
John Lloyd
