GREEN ACTION NEWS, Spring/ Summer 2009 Edition by Environment Victoria

Green Action News MOBILISING PEOPLE TO SAFEGUARD OUR ENVIRONMENT

ISSUE 8 • SPRING/SUMMER 2009

! y a d h t r i B Happy eir world th g in g n a ch l il st re a s 40 years on, Victorian

PLUS Read all about our new Green Action campaign. At last! Federal Renewable energy target becomes law. E-waste? It’s over to you, Peter.

THIS ISSUE

Environment Victoria turns the big 4-0 Green Action News Issue 8, Spring/Summer 2009 Design 2Fish Productions Print Print Bound Contributing writers Fraser Brindley, Sarah Dobney, Leonie Duncan, Kristie Dunn, Juliet Le Feuvre, Murray Irwin, Vicki Kyriakakis, Victoria McKenzieMcHarg, Kelly O’Shanassy, Annette Salkeld, Mark Wakeham, Lily Weinberg. Editor Vicki Kyriakakis (03) 9341 8125 editor@envict.org.au Advertising sales enquiries Vicki Kyriakakis (03) 9341 8125 editor@envict.org.au Membership enquiries Natalie Ross-Lapointe (03) 9341 8124 natalie@envict.org.au Media enquiries Sacha Myers (03) 9341 8113 sacha.myers@envict.org.au Green Action News is an Environment Victoria publication. For more information, visit www.environmentvictoria.org.au

A win for Northern Rivers

At last! Federal Renewable energy target becomes law

For these four, it's all about green action

Leave the water in the Thomson

10 13

Reaping the rewards of sustainable living

Zero carbon homes? You’d better believe it!

Green action: more than a catch-phrase

Over to you, Peter

Sustainable living in the Valley

Don’t worry, we’re still Environment Victoria > Kelly O’Shanassy, Chief Executive Officer

So much has changed in the last few months, that you’d be forgiven for thinking that you were looking at a whole new organisation. The truth is, 40 years later, we’re still all about mobilising people and safeguarding Victoria’s environment.

FROM THE VERY BEGINNING, Environment Victoria has been proof of what’s possible when people come together to protect the things they love. And that hasn’t changed. In the last few months, we’ve changed our look, including the logo, to appeal to more Victorians. We’ve launched a new website and social marketing campaign to encourage people to learn more, take action, share ideas and give. And we’ve established different methods of engagement with communities and organisations, from town hall meetings to cyberspace. (None of it would have been possible without the generous pro-bono support

of many people – see page 8 for more details.) But in our hearts, we’re the same people that battled so hard to save the Little Desert 40 years ago. And we’ll continue to work hard, as we always have done, to make sure our environment is protected for future generations. The time has come, however, to reach out to more people and influence them to take action as well. As long as we remain the ardent few, we won’t get the changes we need to save the environment we love. There’s already a lot going on in Victoria. From our affiliate groups, to the thousands mobilising behind Green

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Action, the tide is already turning. But we’ve been wondering what we could accomplish if we organised all that energy toward one really big goal. That’s why we’re rallying all 5 million residents of Victoria to pull off an organised effort to make a dramatic impact on our environment. We’re calling it Green Action. And we’re set to rally those 5 million people to learn more about the issues and how they can make a difference. To give their voice, time or money and share their experiences with their friends and family – just like you’ve been doing for years. Keen to help us out? Visit www.environmentvictoria.org.au today!

40 YEARS ON

Environment Victoria turns the big 4-0 > Sarah Dobney, Communications Officer

OUR REGIONAL SUSTAINABLE LIVING PROGRAM HAS GONE ON TO WIN MULTIPLE AWARDS, AND HELPED VICTORIANS SAVE OVER 131,400 TONNES OF CO2 AND 24,600 KILOLITRES OF WATER A YEAR.

Yes it’s true, this month Environment Victoria turns the big 4-0. What better time to share and celebrate our successes. BIG AND SMALL, when you add them all up, you can see the progress we’ve made – and are making – in safeguarding our environment. And none of this would have been possible without your continued support. So let’s take a second to roll down memory lane, get all nostalgic and remember what we have achieved. Forty years ago, a group of Victorians joined forces to prevent the Little Desert’s unique environment from becoming an agricultural development. Out of the passion and dedication of committed Victorians – scientists, naturalists and suburban dwellers alike this relatively untouched land in Victoria’s far north-west was spared and the Little Desert National Park was established. The result is the protection of one of Victoria’s most unique landscapes. It’s home to more than 600 species of native plants, 140 species of bird, 19 native mammals and 24 reptiles. The declaration of Little Desert was a watershed win for the Victorian environmental community. It marked the beginning of a new consciousness of nature which in turn had a profound impact on the processes of

environmental decision-making. It also fired up this small group of Victorians to take on more challenges. Bigger, tougher ones. And that’s how Environment Victoria got started. In the years since, we’ve faced a lot of challenges and taken up the baton for Victoria’s environment, again and again. In the 1980’s, we were one of the first groups in Australia to campaign on climate change. And in 1988, Environment Victoria provided the brains and brawn behind the world’s best nature protection act. In 1998, Environment Victoria took the fight to court, to protect consumer’s rights to demand green electricity from renewable sources. Out of this work, the GreenPower scheme was created, allowing accredited retailers to provide consumers with assurance that their green electricity purchased is generated from non-polluting renewable energy sources. Now over 900,000 customers buy GreenPower. What a win for Victorian and all Australian households! In 2006, we launched our Regional Sustainable Living program. In the three years since, we’ve worked with thousands of people from all over the

community – from multicultural communities and youth, to seniors and families. Our programs have gone on to win multiple awards, and helped Victorians save over 131,400 tonnes of CO2 and 24,600 kilolitres of water a year. We’ve mobilised over 100,000 Victorians to Walk Against Warming and demand real action on climate change. The 2007 Melbourne Walk is still the largest climate rally anywhere in the world. One month after this Walk, Australia signed the Kyoto Protocol. We’ve stopped dams on our rivers and negotiated the first legislation anywhere in the world to protect a rivers right to water. Now, 40 years later, we’re feeling more empowered than ever before, and we have you to thank for it. So, in case you haven’t heard it before – THANK YOU for all you do for Victoria’s environment. But there’s still much more to be done. So we need to ramp it up. Which is why we’ve come up with the audacious goal of getting all 5 million Victorians to join us. We’re calling it Green Action. To get the latest on this bold new campaign and what it’s all about, turn to page 8 And there’s more where that came from. You can find a full list of our successes over the 40 years at www.environment victoria.org.au/our-successes.

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GOOD NEWS

Our Multicultural Leaders in Sustainability participants are leading the way for their communities.

Reaping the rewards of sustainable living > Murray Irwin, Sustainable Living Senior Project Manager

After three years of working with local communities around Victoria, the Regional Sustainable Living Program has empowered many Victorians into taking Green Action. FOCUSING ON SENIORS, families and the younger generation, the programs highlight key sustainability issues that impact the local environment and support people to make a difference in their own home and community. Over the past three years, our Regional Sustainable Living Program has delivered 180 workshops and events across Victoria, from Westernport, to Central Victoria and Geelong/ Corangamite. Nearly 1,700 people have participated in the program to find out how they can live more sustainably, and collectively they have saved over 131,400 tonnes of CO2 (that’s 2.6 million black balloons), and 24,600 kilolitres of water a year – not a bad effort. And our reach doesn’t end there. Through our focus on leadership, communications and motivating others, our project participants have gone on to influence another 1,945 people into sustainable action through off-shoot workshops, programs or just a convincing argument. Not to mention the countless environmental savings made through helping people reduce waste, make smarter shopping choices and shift to public transport. Sustainable Living Director, Annette Salkeld said the success of the program could be traced back to Environment

Victoria’s unique approach to working with communities. “We know that people are more likely to keep up sustainable action if they’ve opted to change for themselves, and can draw on the support of their peers and community to maintain the momentum.” “By encouraging participants to discover personal benefits of sustainable living, and link them to a healthier environment, we’ve also increased the likelihood they’ll keep up their new sustainable actions in the longer term. In addition, because we’ve worked with communities to understand their needs and what learning styles might work for them, they’re more likely to stay the distance”. As a result, each of the programs were unique and individually successful. Reflecting on the success, Annette said it was clear that with the right kind of support collectively people could have a big impact. “We need everyone taking Green Action to safeguard the environment so that we’re able to enjoy the benefits of sustainable living. The communities across Victoria we have worked with have shown what is possible. Our job is to ensure everyone has the opportunity to make a difference.”

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CHANGE THE WORLD, ONE PERSON AT A TIME Our Sustainable Living programs have been very successful, but don’t just take our word for it. We’ve captured the stories of six Sustainable Living participants, who’ve made the journey from vaguely concerned citizens to active leaders in sustainability. Filmmaker Libby Chow recorded interviews with some of graduates – Mal, Kerrie, Matele, Gabby, Judy and Toruna – and put together a seven minute documentary highlighting the changes they’ve made in their own lives and in their community as a result of participating in one our sustainable living programs. In some cases, those changes have been quite profound. Watch our seven minute documentary on EV TV at www.environmentvictoria. org.au/content/ newsroom/evtv . You can also see extended interviews with each of our Green Action champions. DVDs of the project are available from the Sustainable Living Program: contact Domenica on domenica.settle@envict.org.au.

The Regional Sustainable Living Program is supported by the Department of Sustainability and Environment. Want to know more about our award-winning programs? Visit us at www.environmentvictoria.org.au/sustain able-lifestyles or contact Annette Salkeld on (03) 9341 8118.

GOOD NEWS

A win for northern rivers > Juliet Le Feuvre, Healthy Rivers Campaigner

THANK YOU! In June this year, we appealed to you for financial support to get water back to our rivers. And you answered our call in droves! Thanks to your amazing generosity, we managed to raise more than $25,000 to continue our work to revitalise Victoria’s rivers. We want to let you know that it means a lot to us. We can now focus on developing real solutions for Victoria’s northern rivers.

The new agreement will make more water available for our northern rivers.

A landmark agreement reached in June will make it easier to buy back water for the environment. THE BREAKTHROUGH AGREEMENT was based on a proposal made by a coalition of groups including Environment Victoria, farmers and community groups, proving what is possible when broad sections of the community work together. For many years, Environment Victoria has lobbied the Victorian government to lift its onerous restrictions on water trading. The restrictions limit the amount of water that can be sold and have restricted environmental water purchase in Victoria. But finally, a breakthrough! The agreement, between the Victorian and federal governments, will target environmental water purchases in areas that are unsuitable for long-term irrigation. In these areas, the Victorian Government will exempt farmers and water sellers from restrictions on water trade. The result will be more water for rivers – 460 billion litres over the next five years for rivers like the Goulburn, Loddon and Campaspe and of course the mighty Murray.

It's an agreement "which enjoys broad community support in Victoria" said Premier Brumby who noted Environment Victoria's contribution to the outcome in Parliament. It makes it easier to imagine a healthy future for both rivers and communities in northern Victoria. That’s the future that Environment Victoria is working towards with our ‘River Rescue and Regional Renewal’ action plan. The truth is environmentalists and farmers are not that different. We all care about the land and the rivers that sustain it. Our project is making the most of an emerging alignment of thinking and the spirit of cooperation that’s sprung up between farmers and environmentalists. We’re now working together to design and champion an integrated set of solutions to the problem of water scarcity in northern Victoria. Our initial discussion paper will provide a pathway to change that can deliver multiple benefits for restoring our rivers and renewing our rural communities. At its core, the paper will acknowledge the interdependence of healthy ecosystems and prosperous communities. For both

to survive and thrive in a drying climate, we need to reduce overall demand for water while supporting communities to adapt. We’re also commissioning research on alternative economic futures, including dryland agriculture, landscape reconfiguration, ecosystem service provision and carbon sequestration, to flesh out some of the options and integrate many strands of policy, funding and management. A collection of case studies and personal stories will provide real-life examples of successful adaptation to a water constrained future. Together, these ideas and evidence will sum up the community experience and help cultivate a sense of confidence that an alternative future is possible. We will be out and about in northern Victoria in October and November, talking to people and generating support for the principles behind the action plan. Our River Rescue and Regional Renewal Action Plan will provide a focus for Victorian communities to help them benefit fully from the federal government’s $12 billion, ten year ‘Water for the Future’ program. Our project’s action plan will provide policy options for integrated investment that returns water to our rivers and supports rural communities at the same time. We’ll be taking these options to government before the state and federal elections in 2010.

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S A F E C L I M AT E

Zero carbon homes? You’d better believe it! > Victoria McKenzie-McHarg, Safe Climate Campaigner

While our energy use at home has long been cited as part of the problem, a new report shows how our homes and how we use them can be a big part of the solution for climate change and water security. CURRENTLY, THE RESIDENTIAL SECTOR contributes 17.5 percent of Victoria’s greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, Victorians are suffering major water shortages. But Environment Victoria, in partnership with other environment and energy groups has released a new report on how Victoria can build zero-emissions homes into the future and ‘green’ our current housing stock to significantly reduce water and energy use. This will build on the many behavioural changes people are already making to their consumption of resources in their homes. Environment Victoria is calling on the Victorian Government to mandate for zero-emissions homes by 2020. This would put Victoria on a path to achieving climate safe homes, and send the right signals to the housing and building industries about where developments, technologies and training need to head. As a first step towards this goal, we’re lobbying the Victorian Government to introduce a minimum 7-star standard for new homes and renovations by end 2010 and support for community education programs to ensure all householders use their homes in the most efficient way. But we also need to prepare Victoria’s existing 1.9 million homes (built before the current 5-star standard was introduced) for a future of climate change. Environment Victoria is calling for a major government program to retrofit one million Victorian homes for energy and water efficiency over the next five years, alongside investment in sustainability education programs with a longerterm goal of providing a green makeover for all Victorian homes in the next decade. Victorian homes in the next decade. Over coming months, we’ll be gearing up our campaign for a one million home retrofit, and zero carbon homes. Keep an eye on our website and sign-up for our Green Action bulletin for the latest developments. You can read the whole report online at: www.environmentvictoria.org.au/library/ towards-climate-safe-homes

STOP PRESS!! COAL RUSH! With all we know about climate change and coal you’d assume our governments were looking for ways to phase out coal use, right? Wrong. Unfortunately in recent months the coal rush has been on, and both the state and federal governments are falling for the industry spin. In Victoria HRL has submitted planning applications for a new coalfired power station near Morwell. As you know, we’ve been fighting this proposal for a couple of years now, and it looks like our campaign will need to ramp up. Even more worryingly, the state government seems to be backing the development of an export coal industry and is on the cusp of making new coal allocations to potential exporters. We’ve never been a coal exporter in Victoria, and it seems incredible that in 2009 a state government could be serious about exporting our wet and highly polluting brown coal. Federally the coal-fired power stations, particularly those in Victoria, are attempting to get even more compensation in the event that the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme is introduced. They’ve already been promised $4 billion, and now they want $10 billion. We’re working with some leading economists to make the case that they shouldn’t be getting money for nothing. Environment Victoria is one of the few environment organisations in Australia actively campaigning on coal. And as our climate change response is continually undermined by the polluters we are increasing our effort in this area. It’s a tough campaign though and we’ll need your support. Help us stop the coal rush: www.environmentvictoria.org.au/safeclimate/coal-is-for-dinosaurs.

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GOOD NEWS

At last! Federal Renewable energy target becomes law. PHOTO COURTESY OF ACIONA ENERGY

> Mark Wakeham, Campaigns Director

Climate change campaigning has been a difficult job in Australia over the past decade. But in August we had one of our biggest wins to date. ON THURSDAY, 20 August 2009 the Federal Parliament finally approved an expanded national renewable energy target. The target will increase the amount of renewable electricity produced nationally from the current level of 6 percent to 20 percent by 2020. This piece of legislation is the most significant shot in the arm for renewable energy we have seen in Australia to date. The target is expected to deliver over $30 billion of investment and 26,000 new jobs in renewable energy over the next decade, much of this in regional Australia. It will also deliver greater emissions reductions than any previous law passed in Australia. The target was one of the ALP’s key election promises in the lead up to the 2007 federal election, and was the product of environment groups, the renewable energy industry and community campaigns calling for greater support for renewables. As with earlier renewable energy targets

we expect that it will create new businesses and jobs that have a vested interest in increasing the level of support for renewable energy. We saw this with the Howard Government’s two percent renewable energy target. Despite the fact that this was a very small target, it built the foundations for a vocal constituency demanding more support for renewable energy. There is no doubt we will need more support for renewable energy and higher targets into the future. The renewable energy target does have some design features that will need improving, and we’ll continue to make the case for the necessary fixes, as well as for other planks of the clean energy revolution we need at both the State and Federal level. However its important to celebrate our victories along the way, and we’d like to congratulate and thank all those who worked with us for this important outcome. Well done, we made a difference.

THAT’S GOOD NEWS! But that’s not all we’ve done. With your support we’ve managed to achieve a lot over the past 40 years! But how about starting with just the last 12 months. Check out our top 20 achievements from the past year online at: www.environmentvictoria. org.au/content/our-top-20achievements

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BIRTH OF A MOVEMENT

Green action: more > Vicki Kyriakakis, Communications Coordinator

What happens when you face a challenge so big that meeting it feels like you’re trying to climb Everest? Green Action News looks at the new campaign that’s revitalising Victoria’s environment movement. FIVE MILLION PEOPLE. That’s every Victorian taking Green Action. It’s a pretty audacious goal. And it’s what Environment Victoria CEO, Kelly O’Shanassy thinks it’s going to take to really safeguard our environment. The impetus is a rising emergency, created by the many environmental issues facing Victoria. From declining biodiveristy, to climate change and river health, the issues we face are not small. Neither, says Kelly, should our response be. “The truth is it’s going to take everybody to solve this problem. We’re doing more than we ever have before for our environment and there’s more of us doing it, but it’s still not enough. The size

of the problem is bigger than our response, so we need to ramp things up.” And ramping things up, means every Victorian. It’s a goal we’re on the way to meeting, with thousands of Victorians already taking some form of Green Action whether it’s big or small. Many of them belong to one of Environment Victoria’s affiliate groups, or donate to environment groups. And thousands have taken part in one of our Sustainble Living programs. Yet even more are just ordinary Victorians taking action every day in ways that are invisible unless you look for them. The Green Light report, compiled by Sustainability Victoria, recently took the community’s pulse on attitudes to the environment. The most recent report, released earlier this year, showed that 86 percent of Victorians were concerned about the state of the environment. That’s slightly up from last year but it’s a result that doesn’t surprise Kelly. It does, however, beg the question of why more doesn’t get done. “We get told a lot that only ‘greenies’ care about the environment,” Kelly says. “But we all know that’s not true. Over 4 million Victorians already have the

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environment on their radar. The problem is that while many of them want to help, they don’t always know how. Green Action will make it easy for them.” The beauty of it, says Kelly, is that even if you’re not in yet - you can start straight away by doing simple things. “Green Action is basically about each of us taking action -whether it’s doing a home audit and changing your electricity to GreenPower or writing to your MP - and then asking others to get involved too.” It helps, Kelly says, to think about it in practical terms. Imagine, for instance, the response if 5 million people were to ask their bank for their sustainability policy, or went to their local hardware store to buy a worm farm. Not to mention, the speed with which we’d move away from coal to clean, renewable energy, if 5 million people were to demand it. “Green Actions can be meaningful to us as individuals but when you multiply them by 5 million, that’s incredibly powerful,” Kelly said. “When 5 million people ask for something, it will happen.” The focus of the new campaign is Environment Victoria’s new website and inspiring new short-film, “Are You In?”. (Both developed with the help of pro-

than a catch-phrase “WHEN 5 MILLION PEOPLE ASK FOR SOMETHING, IT WILL HAPPEN.” bono support from companies Portable Content and WeaveWeb). The new site features the latest news on Green Action around the state, a Green Action centre with simple, easy things you can do straight away to help the environment, and a Green Action of the Month which we will send to every Victorian that signs up, every month. It also profiles the inspiring stories of the groups and people turning things around for Victoria’s environment. “We’re going to continue to work on our campaigns and programs, the same as we’ve always done. But we absolutely must get everyone involved. Our supporters and affiliate groups have led the way for years, and are still leading the way for the community. Now we need to build an overwhelming force behind us

so that we can get the urgent action we need to turn this thing around.” And the message for those who may have lost hope? “Many people think these problems can’t be solved. But the truth is there’s lots of people, right now, across Victoria already solving them.” “What we need now is to get everyone on board. Because let’s face it - nothing can stand in the way of 5 million people.”

Feel inspired? Why not count yourself in! Just visit www.environment victoria.org.au and say YES to Green Action today.

Are you in but you’re friends and family are not? Set them straight: www.environment victoria.org.au/content/what-is-greenaction

Taking Green Action yourself but want to help us do more? Why not consider becoming a monthly donor? For as little as $1 a day, you can help us mobilise 5 million people. Now that’s a Green Action that really adds up! www.environmentvictoria.org.au/give

WE COULDN’T HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT THESE PEOPLE At Environment Victoria, we pride ourselves on spending your money on the things that matter most – saving our rivers, reducing Victoria's greenhouse gas emissions, making landfills a thing of the past and empowering people to live sustainably. Less than 4 cents in every dollar is spent on marketing and fundraising. So, we’d like to thank the following people for their probono or partly pro-bono support in helping us develop our new logo, website and our Are You In campaign. PORTABLE CONTENT, for our ‘Are You In’ video; WEAVEWEB for our new website; ROOM44 for our new logo; and MICHEL HOGAN from Brandology for all of the above and more.

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5 MILLION PEOPLE

For these four, it’s all about green action > Lily Weinberg, Environment Victoria Storycatcher & Sarah Dobney, Communications Officer

At first glance, mobilising 5 million people can seem like an impossible task. But that’s until you read the stories of the thousands of people already taking Green Action. Here are just four Victorians who can already count themselves IN.

THERE’S MORE WHERE THAT CAME FROM If you’ve received this newsletter, you’re already in. So why not make it official? Get all the latest Green Action at www.environment victoria.org.au today.

SUSAN DIMASI AND CHANTAL KIRBY: Sustainable fashion more than just a rage Susan Dimasi and Chantal Kirby are the internationally successful minds behind the sustainable fashion house Material By Product based in Fitzroy. Inspired by the environment movements of the 1980’s, Susan and Chantal wanted to change their production process and make a difference to the both the environment and the fashion industry. These fashionistas started simple. First they established the essence of what they each contributed to the process – “I am a cutter or tailor, Chantal is a draper”– and were able to figure out how they could do things better. Together they then fused tailoring and drapery into a system for minimal cutting, marking, and joining that has reduced waste. Their hope is that it will “build a respectful culture around consumption.” One of their key challenges, however, is to prevent for sustainable fashion from becoming a fashion trend itself. “We don’t want this to be something that makes people feel good about consuming these products unless there are real changes to design, manufacturing industries, and our consumption culture,” Susan said. She’d also like to see changes in the manufacturing set up and culture that surrounds the industry in Victoria.

“I THINK THAT WITH THE ATTITUDE AND APPROACH OF YOUNG DESIGNERS ENTERING THE INDUSTRY, THAT SUSTAINABILITY IS INEVITABLE.”

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Like many Victorias, fashionistas Susan Dimasy and Chantal Kirby have been movitated to do something for the environment. In their case, it’s more than just the latest trend.

ROD BARBEY: Local chef goes organic Rod Barbey has been a restaurateur and head chef of BCOZ in East Hawthorn for 13 years. Four years ago, out of a desire to avoid genetically modified (GM) food, he made the decision to make his restaurant organic, certifying his restaurant through the National Association for Sustainable Agriculture, Australia (NASAA). Rod’s philosophy is that embracing food that is environmentally sustainable is an investment in Australia’s future. It doesn’t include potentially harmful chemicals and tastes the way nature intended. He also believes that organic farming is a more sustainable way to utilise the land. “Organic farming supports the natural environment by regenerating the soil, something GM foods cannot achieve on their own,” Rod says. “It also supports local communities – when the demand in organic produce grows, so do the number of organic farms.” Feeling healthier after adopting an organic diet, Rod now wonders why he ever chose to eat food impregnated with chemicals. “While science hasn’t proven that pesticides are harmful to humans; it’s not proven that they are great for us either,” he said. “I’d love to see large organisations like Woolworths taking more steps to incorporate organics.” But that’s not where Rod’s passion for ‘green’ ends. He’s retroffited BCOZ by switching to green energy and has plans to install solar panels. And he’s hoping other restaurants will follow suit.

“ORGANIC LIVING IS A GREAT WAY TO LIVE SUSTAINABLY.”

SEJLA ALIMONOVIC: Working with youth groups is the key

PETER BITO: There’s just no downside to a CFLs landfill ban

Sejla first became concerned about the environment in high school as a result of the extensive coverage of global warming in the media. From this passion, she developed into her career as an environmental engineer and entrepreneur.

Peter Bito is the Consultant National Sales Manager at CMA Ecocycle. His interest in recycling started when he saw how much damage we were causing to the environment and ourselves by not recycling mercury and by not properly managing the waste stream.

In 2006, Sejla took this passion to the grassroots, joining environmental youth group the Australian Youth Climate Change Coalition (AYCCC). Focusing on leadership and education, this coalition of committed young environmentalists acts both as an umbrella group for all youth environment organisations in Australia and runs environmental projects of its own. AYCCC’s projects focus on lobbying and informing government about the next generation of voters in Australia that are concerned about the environment, green jobs, and climate change. And because they understand that not every young person has an awareness of climate change, they also strive to educate them on climate issues. It’s been during her work with youth groups, that Sejla says she’s seen a real need. “There’s a lack of environmental curriculum in high schools and this is just one road block in encouraging young people to join the movement. It falls heavily onto individual teachers to fill the gap.” Sejla says she would love the government to help implement environmental sustainability studies in high schools. She also thinks more positive reinforcement within communities - that takes note of the many people making an effort - is needed.

The truth on the appropriate disposal of mercury is frightening and Peter’s enthusiasm for the topic is infectious. “In Australia, 70 million light globes and tubes are discarded each year. This equates to about two tonnes of mercury, which considering that one gram of mercury can contaminate a million litres of water, is unacceptable.” Not only is this amount of mercury in water dangerous for ecosystems, it’s hazardous to humans as well. A study in the USA found 640,000 babies were born with lower IQs due to mothers consuming mercury via fish. And while Peter applauds the government’s recent effort to phase out incandescent light globes by 2010, he remains concerned that they haven’t acted to reduce the amount of mercury waste landfilled each year through Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs (CFL). Peter says, the solution is simple:

“AUSTRALIA MUST JOIN THE REST OF THE WORLD IN BANNING CFLS IN LANDFILLS,” HE SAID. “THERE IS JUST NO DOWNSIDE TO LEGISLATION.”

“INDIVIDUALS NEED TO BE AWARE OF HOW MUCH POWER THEY HAVE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN AUSTRALIA’S CLIMATE FUTURE.”

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SMART STUFF

[LESS

WASTE]

> Fraser Brindley, Production & Consumption Campaigner

After a decade of deliberation, Australia is finally set to get a decision on electronic waste. ON 5 NOVEMBER 2009, the Environment Protection and Heritage Council (EPHC) will meet in Perth. Made up of state and federal Environment Ministers, the council will decide on the future of a national television and computer recycling scheme for Australia. When they meet, they’ll do so knowing that a national recycling scheme has the support of a broad cross-section of the community – from environment groups, to industry and e-waste recyclers. The decision has been a long time

coming and follows a resolution in May this year to develop a regulatory impact statement (RIS) for electronic waste. The RIS considered nine options for the collection and recycling of old televisions and computers. Each option was assessed for social and economic impacts and, even though environmental considerations were not part of their calculations, they all were all found to have a net benefit. One of the proposals considered – a mandatory import license model – has the support of Environment Victoria. Under this model, importers of televisions and computers would be required to join an organisation that

collects and recycles old equipment. The model has been supported by almost all of the major stakeholders involved in the process. Most importantly, a survey of community opinions on a recycling scheme met with wide-spread support. All of this makes it very easy for the government to do the right thing. That’s why we’re saying, “It’s over to you, Peter.” Help us push it over the line. Visit our campaign page at www.reborn.org.au and let Peter Garrett know you support a mandatory import license model for recycling televisions and computers.

AUSTRALIA’S E-WASTE CRISIS Environment Victoria, along with our friends at the Total Environment Centre in NSW, recently released a report chronicling Australia’s growing pile of e-waste. Tipping Point - 2009 Update, estimates that there are 234 million items of e-waste in or on their way to landfill in Australia. Without a recycling program, this will treble to close to 700 million items by 2020. Although televisions and computers are a significant problem, they make up less than 40 percent of Australia’s e-waste pile. The majority of e-waste items in Australia are games consoles, camera, DVD players,

phones, printers and a host of other old electronic gadgets. The report estimates that 5,100 new jobs could be created if all e-waste was included in a national recycling scheme. We’ve supported a national approach for televisions and computers, and we’re close to getting a result. The good news is that this approach could be expanded to include all other e-waste. To read the report, visit www.environmentvictoria.org.au/library/tipping-

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H E A LT H Y R I V E R S

Leave the water in the Thomson

PHOTOGRAPH: DANIEL CLARKE

> Leonie Duncan, Healthy Rivers Campaigner

Natalie Jamieson is not at all happy that yet more water will be taken from the Thomson River for Melbourne. LIKE MANY OF US, Natalie was angered at the Water Minister’s September 2009 decision to further raid Gippsland’s highly stressed Thomson River and divert its water for city lawns and factories. In her letter published in The Age newspaper, Natalie highlighted that the Government’s failure to better manage Melbourne’s water consumption was putting the muchloved Gippsland Lakes in peril by drastically reducing the freshwater flows it so depends on from Thomson River. Many long-term Environment Victoria supporters will remember Natalie as the former Healthy Rivers Campaigner who helped secure a win for Thomson back in 2004. Responding to community and scientific concern, the Victorian Government committed to providing the river with a legal entitlement to a portion of its own flow. This promise to protect 10 billion litres of water for the Thomson’s ecological needs was a key action of the ground-breaking White Paper, Our Water Our Future. Now, not only is that promise on hold, the river’s health will suffer further following this

latest decision to take an additional 10 billion litres of its flow each year. Environment Victoria was pleased to have Natalie back on board as a volunteer recently to help prepare our Discussion Paper submission on the Gippsland Sustainable Water Strategy – a 50-year Victorian Government plan for managing the region’s water resources. Our submission offers a positive vision for the Gippsland Region for 2059 – one based on a future where healthy rivers support abundant life and regional prosperity, providing fresh water, good food, clean energy and places to love and enjoy – and contains 21 specific recommendations over six key discussion areas, including one on the status of existing commitments, like that to the Thomson. Read more at www.environmentvictoria.org.au/waterand-healthy-rivers or contact: Leonie Duncan, Healthy Rivers Campaign co-Manager on Tel: 9341 8120 or leonie.duncan@envict.org.au

THE RIVER’S HEALTH WILL SUFFER FURTHER FOLLOWING THIS LATEST DECISION TO TAKE AN ADDITIONAL 10 BILLION LITRES OF ITS FLOW EACH YEAR.

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SUSTAINABLE

LIVING

Sustainable living in the Valley What is “Sustainable Living in the Valley”? We answered this question at the launch of our Gippsland Regional Sustainable Living program.

ON THE EVENING of 30 September 2009, local residents and organisations came together at the Latrobe Performing Arts Centre in Traralgon to help us celebrate the formal start to our year long sustainability program in the Latrobe Valley area. “Since we promoted our move to Gippsland in the last edition of Green

The launch of our Regional Sustainable Living program in Gippsland drew people – both old and young – from across the community.

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Action News, a lot has happened,” said Katelyn Fryer, our Sustainable Living Project Manager. “From our initial meeting with potential partner organisation in July, we now have a local steering committee, who are helping us shape the direction of the program. And we’ve recruited Kate Senko as our Gippsland Sustainable Living Project Officer, who is being hosted by our friends at Lifeline in Morewell. We’re now ready to get the community involved in our program activities.” Hosted by Environment Victoria and the Australian Conservation Foundation, the event gave the people of the Latrobe Valley a chance to meet the workshop coordinators and gain an insight into upcoming workshops and community events. Guests were also asked to nominate the most effective ways to reduce their environmental impact, with actions like buying local organics produce high on the list. Fortunately for us we were able to show this in practice, providing locally produced cheeses and produce for people to nibble on during the evening. Denise McKellar from the Latrobe Valley Sustainability Group said it was very exciting to have Environment Victoria working in the area. “There’s a real need to ramp up local efforts to live more sustainably and creatively meet local and global environmental challenges,” she said. “This program provides support and encouragement for the groups already working here, and gives us a chance to engage whole new segments of the local community. “It’s such an important region in terms of food production and of course energy, so local people can play a big part in creating new solutions”. Stay tuned for dates and locations of future project activities online at www.environmentvictoria.org.au. For more information contact Kate Senko on ph. 5136 3504, or drop in to see her at the Lifeline Office, 2 Fleming Street, Morwell.

NOTICE THIS!

Help us send an urgent message to world leaders. This December, the bigwigs – our world leaders – are gathering in Copenhagen to decide what they’re going to do about climate change.

Well, we’ve got something to say to them! We want to form a massive human sign and make sure Victoria’s voice is heard all the way to Copenhagen! But organising such a huge event is expensive and we need your help.

Help us make sure our world leaders get the message – loud and clear! YES! I want to help send a loud message to world leaders on climate change! I would like to donate:

$50 $100 $200 $500 My own amount $ ___________ Please find enclosed a: Cheque or Money Order (payable to Environment Victoria INC.) or please debit my card: Amex Mastercard Visa Cardholder’s name: ________________________________________Expiry date: __ __ / __ __ Signature: ___________________________ Card number: | _ _ | _ _ | _ _ | _ _ | – | _ _ | _ _ | _ _ | _ _ | – | _ _ | _ _ | _ _ | _ _ | – | _ _ | _ _ | _ _ | _ _ |

PERSONAL DETAILS Title:

First Name:

Family Name:

Address: City:

State:

Postcode:

Email: Tel: (BH)

(AH)

Please send all future correspondence by email Help us to help you by telling us a little bit more about yourself. (All information will be kept strictly confidential). Date of Birth D_______/ M_______/ Y_______ Occupation: ______________________________________________________ ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES YOU CARE MOST ABOUT

All

Biodiversity Healthy Rivers Smart Production and Consumption

Safe Climate Sustainable Living Please send me email bulletin updates on these issues

Please complete this form, tear off this page and return it to reply paid 12575, A’Beckett Street, Melbourne, VIC 8006 or visit www.environmentvictoria.org.au and make a donation online.

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NOTICE THIS!

This December, our world leaders are gathering to decide how much they’re prepared to do about climate change.

WE’VE GOT SOMETHING TO SAY TO THEM.

WALK AGAINST

WARMING 12.12.2009 @ 12pm, State Library, Swanston Street, Melbourne. Join the WALK AGAINST WARMING and help us form a massive HUMAN SIGN.

A sign so big they’ll get our message all the way over in Copenhagen. RSVP to www.waw.org.au or email V ictoria@envict.org.au.

Every city. Every state. Australia’s biggest day of action on climate change. WHO’S WHO AT ENVIRONMENT VICTORIA Chief Executive Officer Kelly O’Shanassy Campaigns Director Mark Wakeham Director Sustainable Living Annette Salkeld OPERATIONS Organisational Services Manager Ivan Kolker Administration Coordinator Helen Vine Communications Coordinator Vicki Kyriakakis Communications Officer Sarah Dobney Media Officer Sacha Myers

Fundraising Manager Natalie Ross-Lapointe Finance Officer Despina Giannakis WATER & HEALTHY RIVERS Healthy Rivers Campaign Manager Leonie Duncan Healthy Rivers Campaign Manager Juliet Le Feuvre SAFE CLIMATE Safe Climate and Smart Transport Campaigner Victoria McKenzie-McHarg Safe Climate Campaigner Tricia Phelan

SMART STUFF (LESS WASTE) Production & Consumption Campaigner Fraser Brindley SUSTAINABLE LIVING PROGRAM Senior Project Manager Murray Irwin Project Manager Michele Burton Project Manager Katelyn Fryer Project Manager Nina Bailey Program Manager Charlie Davie

Project Officer Domenica Settle Green Town Community Coordinator Natalia Valenzuela BOARD President Russell Fisher Vice-President Sue Noy Dr Sarah Bekessy Doug Gimesy David Osborn Jo Tenner Elizabeth McKinnon Amanda Nuttall Jeana Vithoulkas

REGULAR VOLUNTEERS Andrew Booth Peter Flanagan Janet Gellie Colleen Guggisberg Ian Hazewinkel Pauline Ng Keshni Prasad Marion Silver Les Smith Thi Truong