Sustainability - What does it mean?
seems to me it relates to how we see the world – are our resources infinite? Is there another continent to discover and exploit? Can the planet stand 6 billion using energy like the west already does? Obviously not – but we don’t always act like it.
Sustainability is also an umbrella topic – refers to water, energy, waste, resource use, greenhouse gas etc.
We have a project running across the Whitehills cluster schools – and the essence of it is developing a “sustainability” mindset, and putting it into practice.
We had a project launch for the cluster schools last week. A range of speakers from local agencies presented their perspective and programs, including an interesting keynote from Bendigo Bank’s Manager of Strategic Markets, Leigh Watkins – sustainability is becoming big business, triple bottom line etc. Also included visits to St Francis of the Fields, Peppergreen farm etc- and some high quality presentations from local management and sustainability agencies (list of presenters and contacts).
the essence of the project is developing this awareness – and partnering schools with agencies, to work on local projects in schools. The range of activities includes energy audits, water projects, waste projects, recycling, farm units, biodiversity.
we are heading towards an expo day, in partnership with local agencies in late term 3. Might overlap with the Renewable Energy Conference planned for Bendigo, and / or might be at Peppergreen farm.
couple of the speaker powerpoints from Paul Dullard (on sustainable schools framework info), and June Andrew (waste management) will be here soon. Roland Gesthuizen presented a summary of how the Globe project might be used to track and report data from various sites and projects.
(Nb There’s an ASISTM grant supporting this, which we wrote on behalf of the cluster. Tina Morrison is the project coordinator, Gary Griffin had a big role in coordinating speakers for the launch, Brendan Stewart helped write it and link with Peppergreen, Phil Clarkson is our critical friend etc – and last but certainly not least all the schools are working at linking sustainability ideas into their curriculum - thats the key to the project and the hope of a sustainable future).