Sustainable Voices

Episode 10 - David Holmgren: Peak oil, Permaculture and Food Security

In this presentiation David Holmgren, co-originator of the Permaculture concept, speaks on the interlinked issues of Peak oil and Food security and discusses the role that Permaculture can play in helping us in adapting to a energy scarce future.

Download Episode 10 Here.

Duration 58 mins

Radio4all.net down

Hi everyone.

I have recently uploaded episode 10 featuring David Holmgren. Unfortunately Radio4all.net which hosts the mp3 files is currently down. Once the website is available again I will post the link to the latest show.

Thanks for your patience.

Greenwash

Redesigning the show. Part 1

At the moment I am busy coming up with ideas for the new show and I thought that I would take the time out from this process to give you all some insight into the redesign of the show. So here is the first in a series of articles detailing some of the ideas, processes and concepts that will influence the content of the new show. 

Premise and propaganda.

A premise is an assumption or an assertion that forms the basis for an argument or position.

 As an example, have you ever heard someone comment, 'Crime is too high, we need more cops'? Most people would probably nod along in agreement with that statement as at first glance it seems pretty reasonable, right? But what are some of the underlying assumptions that support this argument? 

 1. Crime is too high.

2. That increasing the numbers of 'cops' will result in a decrease in crime.

 The point is if you agree with the statement 'Crime is too high, we need more cops'. Then you are accepting the validity of the underlying premise. But is this acceptable? What information have you been given to prove that crime is in fact 'too high', what reason do you have to believe that an increase in the number of 'cops' will decrease crime? What about other factors such as education and unemployment?

 The first rule of propaganda is that 'if you can slide your premise by people you've got them'. So if your able to get people to agree with the above statement than you've also got them to agree with the underlying premises without having them examined.

 So what does this have to do with the show?

 I don't want to 'slide' my premises by people. I intend on including the premises for each show at the start of that show's transcript. I hope that this will help listeners to come to a greater understanding of the arguments that I present so that if they choose to agree with a certain statement or point of view then they will also understand and agree with the premise that supports that argument.

Episode 10 - On the way

Hi all.

Just a quick note that episode 10 is on it's way

Book Review: Voluntary Simplicity

Thought I'd share with you all this review for a book that I recently read (again.)

Voluntary Simplicity
Toward a way of life that is outwardly simple, inwardly rich. Rev Ed.
By Duane Elgin. (Quill, ISBN 0 688 1219 5)

‘In living more simply we encounter life more directly – in a firsthand and immediate manner. We need little when we are directly in touch with life. It is when we remove ourselves from direct and wholehearted participation in life that emptiness and boredom creep in. It is then that we begin our search for something or someone that will alleviate our gnawing dissatisfaction.’ Pg 145.

Voluntary Simplicity is not a book about living in poverty. It’s about making the conscious and voluntary decision to do without the things that unnecessarily complicate our lives. It requires that we ask of ourselves ‘to what degree to I live my life on automatic pilot?’ ‘Of the things I buy, what do I really need?’ And ‘how much of my working life is dedicated to installment plans, credit card bills, and fulfilling the expectations of others?’

When first published in 1981 this book was recognised as a powerful and inspirational contribution to the emerging dialogue of sustainability. It showed that not only is a simpler life possible but even preferential to the kind of life typical of western societies. In this book the author not only outlines the benefits of a simpler existance, he also gives us the chance to meet people who ‘walk the talk’ as they share there experiences, joys, regrets and challenges encountered in the pursuit of a simpler life.

A must read.
5 stars.

The need to unplug.

I've been doing a lot of thinking lately about what changes in behaviors are necessary in order to move towards a sustainable way of life. At the moment i think that an important first step is to literally unplug ourselves from all of the electronic distractions that are so abundant in modern life. Recent articles in both the ecologist and adbusters highlight the fact that many of these technologies (Internet, mobile phones, iPod) instead of liberating us actually work to further isolate us as they create a personal bubble of entertainment and distraction that surrounds us and separates us from others.

SMS' and Internet messaging are eroding our ability to communicate with other people as they encourage us to communicate in snippets of conversation. This method lacks to natural flow of conversation and people present themselves differently when separated from others electronically, than if faced with an actual physical conversation.

Television, far from being a window to the world that exposes us to new ideas and culture thus enlightening us and creating a greater understanding of others that it's proponents claim. Is more often used to alleviate boredom, encourage the consumption of frivolous goods and used to determine the opinions of it's viewers.

Computers allow us to generate more information than we can handle or is indeed relevant. The Internet though often espoused as the information superhighway and a gateway to the world, more often results in many spending hours focused on a tiny 12inch screen at the expense of the world immediately around us.

Portable media devices such as the iPod allow us to indulge our need to be entertained no matter where we are. Why bother looking out the window of a train to watch the scenery go by when you can watch a video podcast of your favorite sitcom on a tiny 4inch screen? Why sit silently on a beach at night when you can plug the latest pop hit directly into your ear.

It's a interesting fact that media consumption is the number one life activity in our modern society.

I think an important first step towards sustainability is to unplug ourselves from this media smorgasboard; as how can people care about the world around them when they are preoccupied with whether not Tom and Nicole will get back together or obsessing about the latest TV reality show.

I've got more to say but this'll do for now.

Sustainability: It's about Intention

Consider the following example.

Two different people decide to start riding their bikes to work. The first does so to enjoy the health benefits, contact with the outdoors, and the knowledge that they are conserving energy. Whilst the second does so to ration petrol and save money. Despite the fact that both riders will produce the same environmental benefit, only the first rider will enjoy the experience whilst the second will only resent the circumstances that have made bike use necessary. This difference in experience is crucial in determining if the solution is satisfying, workable and long lasting, which for the second rider it clearly isn’t.

Given the way that today’s environmental problems and their associated solutions are presented to us it’s little wonder then that the mainstream tends to associate them with the ideas of ‘going without’ or restriction. That to solve climate change for example we must forgo our cars, use less electricity and use fewer forest products. This idea of ‘reduced freedom’ can go on to create resentment, making meaningful and long-lasting change difficult.

What if instead of focussing on what we must go without in order to achieve sustainability, we focus on what we can gain. What if instead of insisting that people use public transport and bikes instead of their car in order to reduce CO2 emissions, we instead promote the ideas that they can be free from the ongoing cost involved in the purchase and maintenance of a car. That they can be free from the frustration of traffic jams, and that they can enjoy the freedom that better health and cleaner air brings. Both approaches can result in the same environmental benefit but the latter is more likely to produce a long-lasting, meaningful and enjoyable change.

Ultimately sustainability is not only about what we do, but also the intention with which we do it. Do we act out of a need for restraint to avert global catastrophe, or out of a desire for a cleaner, healthier and more equitable world.

Written by Tom on a rainy night in Daylesford.

Sustainable Voices is on hiatus

Due to an increased workload and some changes in my life I have decided to discontinue the Podcast for the time being. The main reason is I don't have the time anymore to organise interviews and produce each episode.

So where to from here?

Whilst the pod cast is on a break my muse certainly isn't. Therefor I will be posting various writings on sustainability. At the moment I'm wanting to explore the sustainability 'mindset', as at the moment I believe that rather than espousing the virtues or this or that 'sustainable' product or solution I want to explore what it is that that compels certain people to want to make these changes in their lives.

As for the Podcast, whilst it has ended it certainly isn't dead. There is a possibility that I will re imagine the Podcast as a series of short 3-5min episodes that explore a particular theme or idea. For the time being at least I want to see where my muse will lead me.

Thanks to all those who supported the show.

Episode 9 - Farmers markets

Graeme George is a permaculturist from Healesville in the Yarra Valley, where he has been teaching Permaculture Design since 1994. Graeme lives on a 5 ha property, in a bushland setting, where he grows heirloom vegetables and fruit trees. He is an active member of Permaculture Melbourne participating in the Heritage fruits and Victorian Educator's Group, is convenor of the Yarra Valley Permaculture group and Coordinator of the Organic Farmers Market held every Saturday morning at Healesville.

Download Episode 9 Here.

Duration 11mins

Episode 8 - Heritage Foods.

Peter Allan currently runs a permaculture design consultancy and teaches many varied courses. He is currently convener for the Heritage Fruits Group and active in the Mountain District Permaculture group. While he has grown frit trees all his life, over the last 8 years he has dedicated time to learn more and preserve the old varieties for the future.

Download Episode 8 Here.

Duration 13mins

Episode 7 - Creating Healthy Communities

Mark Boyd and Helen Clough work on municipal public health projects for local government. Both have extensive experience in community development and health promotion actvities.

In this presentation they talk about the leverages available to local government to address the structural determinants of health which can improve food security for local residents and increase environmental sustainability.

Download Episode 7 here.

Duration 22mins

Episode 6 - CERES and the Local Food system

Our food system is dominated by big retailers and industrial farming that deplete natural systems and communities by treating people as passive consumers and food as just another commodity. CERES is a microcosm of a local food system; with elements such as seed saving, plant propagation, market and community gardens, markets, co-ops and a cafe. CERES hopes to demonstrate and inspire others to the joy of becoming farmers, distributors and chefs in control and responsible for our food

Download Episode 6 Here.

Duration 24mins

Episode 5 - Garden of Eden. Community Gardens everywhere.

In this episode we hear from Les Tate and Amadis Lacheta from the Garden of Eden project. Together they show us how vesitile community gardens can be and how they provide an excellent container for not only the benefits of food gardening, but mental and physical health, the creative arts, community collaboration, learning and vital green space in our cities.

Download Episode 5 Here

Duration 23mins

Episode 4 - Peak Oil and it's effects on Food Security

This is the first of a series of presentations recorded at a conference on 'Peak Oil and Food Security' organised by the Garden of Eden project.

In this episode we hear from Richard Heinberg, author of 'Powerdown' and 'The Party's Over' two best selling and influential books on the topic of peak oil. In this presentation he talks about the effect of peak oil on food security

Download episode 4 here 

Duration 43mins

Episode 3 - Seeds of Change, Part 2.

Here's part two of the conference

Click here to download Episode 3

Duration 25mins

Episode 2 - Seeds of Change, Part 1.

This show was recorded at the Sustainable Living Foundations opening presentation entitled 'The Seeds for Change'.

The authors of "Seeds for Change" analyse the past 25 years in the light of their influential book. "Seeds for Change" is a book on the energy crisis and its implications for Victoria and Australia. But it is also about people and lifestyles, government and decision-making, and many other issues that are rarely linked with energy.

Here you will find a probing analysis of the disastrous energy problems towards which official planning is leading our society. But you will also find a detailed plan with which we can creatively confront the energy crisis and build a more convivial low-energy society.

Many thanks to Jim Castles for the invite to record the show.

Guests included:
Doctor Ian McPhail (Victorian Minister for Environmental Sustainability).
Alan Pears. (Adjunct Professor at RMIT).
Chris Mardon. (retired from CSIRO ).
Philip Sutton (President of the Sustainable Living Foundation).
Deborah White (retired from School of Architecture. Adelaide University)
John Dick (Energy Action Group).

Click here to download Episode 2.

Duration 29mins

Episode 1 - What is sustainability?

The first episode! Listen to the producer (that's me folks) Talk about his thoughts on just what is meant by the word sustainability.

Click here to download Episode 1

Duration 25mins