Recent posts
- TypeBlog entryTitleAuthorpatrickReplies2
I have just recently finished reading a book about "recycling" in a general sense. The book's title, "The Same Ax, Twice" suggests an interesting conundrum. If the owner of an ax ( or axe) replaces the handle twice and the ax head once in his lifetime, is it the same ax?
The author, Howard Mansfield, gives the subtitle for the book as "Restoration and Renewal in a Throwaway Age". The point that he so strongly makes is that if we just go about restoring old houses, ships, temples, aeroplanes for the sake of nostalgia alone, then it is purely an exercise in vanity and will not serve our future prospects well.
One aspect of restoration which has been occupying my mind of late, is restoration of community, of convivial community to be specific. It is my strong conviction that our current way of life lived in a bubble as it were, is no longer satisfying us in our need to connect. To connect to those around us and to nature in general.
The natural world is crying out in its need for us to connect to it and more and more people are attempting to do that with a rapid growth in bushwalking, family camping, the grey nomad phenominon and vicariously through nature programs on television.
My current project - my 20 year plan to make Bathurst a Cycle Friendly City, touches on some of these aspects raised in the book.
My aim is to "recyle" an older mode of transport as transport again and in doing so rekindle a greater sense of village life in our community and at the same time remove a proportion of cars from our roads, making civil life more congenial and reducing pollution considerably.
The idea of us living in bubbles raised earlier, means that often our housing developments as placed us in estates dedicated to private motor transport. We drive directly to our house, in the bubble of our cars, park that bubble in the bubble of our garages directly facing the street and enter into the bubble of our houses - often without actually having to move through outside space to do that and enter the virtual world of television and the internet. Our houses will often face the street and with no verandah's to sit and pass the time of day with strolling neighbours. Their are no footpaths anyway in some of these developments so such intercourse is not encouraged.
In the age of oil, this seemed like a smart idea. Easy access to and from work, study and shopping via the car. The streets were designed thus and shopping malls perforce incorporated huge parking spaces to encourage the one stop shopping approach. "Convenience, convenience, convenience" is the mantra.
Recently I was speaking with a local man, who had taken to cycling - the lycra clad variety - who told me the thing he enjoyed most about it was the lingering over coffee after a ride with his companions on that morning's cycling. In other words, community. As a keen cyclist myself, it too was something I really enjoyed, but thought I might be alone in this feeling.
It is one thing to don the Lycra and head off on a frosty morning on a lightweight machine with a bunch of other nutters to do this, and in the same breath to introduce the idea of simply pedalling to work, study or shopping, is idealistic lunacy.
And yet, in Copenhagen, Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin and increasingly in Melbourne and Sydney it is a reality.
At a wedding of my Buddha daughter last weekend, I was talking to a mutual friend who after listening to my rave about convivial cycling, told me she spent 6 months in Copenhagen, and like the rest of the community, rode to work, cafe's, restaurants, visiting friends and so on. When it snowed, you just donned the appropriate clobber and simply rode. Now she is living in Canberra and is still riding her bike to work there.
This is a young woman, very fashionable in her attire and attitudes, yet completley won over to the idea of getting around on a bike as opposed to jumping in a car as a matter of habit.
Looking around our current community, one can see very clearly that the idea of just riding anywhere is not only an unfashionalbe way to get around, but hardly rashional on any level.
The European cities I mentioned did not alwys favour cycling over private cars. Like us, post war, the car was adopted with gusto. We all enjoyed the freedom and privacy a car offered.
What helped change attitudes were rising fuel prices and increasingly jam packed roads in peak hours and around popular places to stop such as shopping malls, schools and places of work.
In the case of Copenhagen, they are only 12 years into implementing a government policy of enabling cycling as a serious transport option. Over that time they have now 38% of commuters, travelling to work or education on bicycles.
This didn't come about by just anouncing a policy, the government had to implement infrastructure which encouraged safe cycling, so it could be adopted by people of all ages. Public education programs needed to be run, so that both motorists and cyclists were informed of the laws and their responsibilities. Priority is given to cyclists at lights and roundabouts so that they are clearly visible to motorists and the chances of accidents are much diminished.
As an Australian cyclist, one notices immediately hardly any European cyclist wears a helmet. Paradoxically, Australia and New Zealand (and I believe, recently added to list - Jersey are the only countries where helmets are compulsory. Apparently, in Europe, the wearing of helmets was a serious inhibition to woman taking up commuting cycling.
Of course under the current conditions of commuting cycling in Australia, one would be foolish to venture forth on our streets without donning a helmet. Yet if segregated cycle lanes can be developed here, one can see the possabilities of legislators relaxing this law here for non-sporting cycling- at least for the adult cyclist.
Besides the huge environmental benefits of removing fossil fuel driven vehicles from the roads an estimated saving of 80,000 tonnes of CO2 would be realised in Copenhagen, by 2015.
Quoting from the excellent copenhagenize.com :
"In Denmark we've determined that cycling is much more cost-efficient than cars. Indeed, for every kilometre cycled the nation enjoys a net profit of 25 cents. For every kilometre driven by car, the nation suffers a net loss of 16 cents. Due to a host of health factors, wear and tear/road maintenance factors, etc.In Copenhagen a study has determined that for every kilometre cycled, the city earns $1.10. Pure profit. Based on the value of our cycling citizens living longer - 7 years - and being less ill whilst alive (subsidizing those poor motorists and their illnesses as we slog away at work with fewer sick days) as well as the value of health care costs saved."
Leadership in cycling to work is coming form the leader of the Tories in Britain, David Cameron and the Premier of NSW, Kristina Keneally, but it would be good if Tony Abbott eschewed the Lycra for a bit and actually rode to work too. Lets see if we can induce the mayor, Paul Toole and other counsillors to follow suit.
The council will be starting to prepare its next 10 year plan for cycling in this region, the public consultations will begin in May and I urge all of you to put in your suggestions for this planning process. You may come along in person at the advertised places and times or submit your ideas via mail/email. As soon as I can obtain the exact details, I will pass that on via this blog and also make availble the planning document via download on the bccan web site.
In the meantime, issues which I believe are important.
The council adopt cycling as a serious alternative transport option in Bathurst.
Join all existing cycleways to enhance commuting, recreation and cycle tourism.
Create new traffic segregated cyclepaths to major shopping centres, places of education, major places of work and recreation.
Greatly increase cycle parking at all of the above with priority over cars.
Work with the RTA in developing effective public education systems for motorists and cyclists to enhance safety of cyclists.
Work with the RTA in developing cycling priority light systems and queing systems where motorised corridors and cycle paths inetersect.
Work with the RTA in introduce helmet free cycling to the safe assured cycling routes in the city.
Introduce motor vehicle free civic space in Bathurst - Lower Keppell Street and the city centre as priorities.
The cities cycling "health" be assessed every two years and reported to the citizens.
Anybody who would like to read further on this, here are some links you might like to try:
A Time Travellers Tale - a story I read at a recent public meeting;
http://bccan.org.au/time-travellers-tale
Copenhagenize:
http://copenhagenize.com
Copenhagen - a city of cyclists 2006 report:
http://www.sfbike.org/download/copenhagen/bicycle_account_2006.pdf
Copenhagen - a city of cyclists 2008 report:
http://www.sfbike.org/download/copenhagen/bicycle_account_2008.pdf - TypeBook pageTitleAuthorkeith.hungerfordReplies0
Regular readers might be wondering what happened to my tomatoes (if you haven't been wondering, you're excused). I've mentioned in previous columns that my tomatoes have been very, very slow to ripen. Well, I'd love to report that they all got the message and went red, but the fact is that they remain slow. There are still some large green stragglers sitting there, seemingly oblivious to the fact that it's almost time for frosty mornings. Still, I've managed to harvest enough over the past few weeks for some delicious sandwiches, salads and pasta sauces.
Even if you do it badly, growing your own veges is enormously satisfying. It is nutritious, cuts down carbon-emitting "food miles" involved in transporting food to your plate and makes your home feel more homely.
The next best thing to eating your own produce is finding food that has been grown locally. It tastes better, it doesn't have to be transported using fossil fuels, and it provides direct support for local producers. Consumers are interested in buying local produce but unfortunately this isn't easy to do. The supermarket system, as it currently stands, means that local food gets packed off to distant markets while, in turn, we buy produce that has come to us from distant places.
The newly-formed Bathurst Food Group is working to overcome the barriers between local producers and consumers. The group, which unites Bathurst Community Climate Action Network, Bathurst Regional Eats & Drinks, the Bathurst Slow Food Convivium, the Bathurst Region Vignerons Association and interested members of the public, will meet next Tuesday, April 27, at the Bathurst council chambers at 5.30pm.
The meeting, which welcomes all those interested in buying or selling local food, will explore options including promoting local food through existing retail outlets, creating an exclusively local retail shop and promoting farm gate sales.
"Many consumers are looking to buy locally produced organically grown food, but it is not readily available in Bathurst," says facilitator and local organic food grower Ross Macindoe. "Here is an opportunity for both buyers and sellers – an opportunity knocking on our door!"
To find out more, call Ross on 6331 6320 or email him at r.macindoe@lisp.com.au
- TypeBook pageTitleAuthorkeith.hungerfordReplies0
Well, it looks like we have the numbers. Bathurst is lucky – or unlucky, depending on your point of view – to be blessed with a growing population. For some, that means jobs, social and cultural opportunities and the ability to participate more fully in the bounty of the twenty-first century. For others, it means we start to lose that charming country-town feel, easy parking and the sense that you can walk down the street and know many of the faces.
For developers with money to invest, we're a spot worthy of some red pins. Hence the proposed $21 million development at Kelso that will include two fast food outlets, a petrol station and space for the sale of large items for the new homes springing up all around. The development is seen as a vote of confidence in our town and its approval – by a new planning authority set up by the state government, not our local council – is considered a certainty.
This is business as usual, but will business as usual be good enough for the future? The development is a microcosm of what's happening all around the world. Fast food is convenient, petrol-driven cars are convenient, people build ever-larger homes with fewer people in them, requiring ever larger sofas to look right in massive living rooms. All of this is good for business, but it's ravaging the environment. We know that, but we keep doing it. We keep doing it because it's easy. I drive the car to Sydney, stopping off at Lithgow Maccas on the way, because the car is a lot easier than the train, and once I'm in the car, it's easier to fuel up with coffee at Maccas than one of the more charming little cafes in the mountains.
To live sustainably we need to do better than business as usual. Unfortunately, everything is set up to encourage our fast-food, car-bound lifestyles. If there was a fast, efficient train service between Bathurst and Sydney, complete with healthy food on board, would we really need a second McDonalds at Kelso?
If you're interested in discussing these issues, Bathurst Community Climate Action Network is planning to host a get-together in the near future. Stay tuned!
- TypePageTitleAuthorpatrickReplies0Settle down my children. It is time grandad read you a story.What will it be tonight?
Tales of Nania ... no we had that last week.A Christmas Story - the Margaret Atwood version ... mmm.Gulliver's Travels .... a bit old hat.Ah - here is one you may like - " A Time Traveller's Tale".One day and old man was walking in the dark wood.Suddenly, in a clearing in the wood, he saw a strange box like object.Leaning laconically against this box was a person in a long coat.As the old man approached, the person turned towards him and she said, "I am the Doctor - Who are you?"The old man was startled, but replied, "My friends call me Lardarse, and my enemies call me Leftwinggreenie".The Doctor extended his hands and they exchanged a warm handshake as the old man now trusted this woman and was encouraged by her friendly manner.The Doctor went on, "I am a time traveller and I have lived in your future. I want to tell you a story so that you can tell your grandchildren and they may tell their grandchildren and this future will come to be their future.This is the story the Doctor told the old man.Many years from now in the time of St. Rude - who had performed a great miracle - he had managed to get something through the Senate and the cannons fired and beauty pageants were held throughout the land.Despite this, times were hard.In the city of Gerriville, all the people appeared to have lost their spark. They looked old, even though some were quite young. Their attire was uniformly cardigans and twin sets. The doctrone passed on from parent to child was that comfort was the main aspiration and one mustn't buck the system.The Chamber of SIT (snouts in trough) worked hard to reinforce that feeling by encouraging "Development" - concrete tilt was the architecture of choice and shopping malls sprang up everywhere and large houses studded the countryside.Shopping was a common analgesic to help create the illusion of comfort.Of course their were young people who rejected this paradigm - but they were mostly packed off to a regional university - the university of the perpetual party - students there who could spell their own name correctly were awarded with High Distinctions.There were two young people there who eschewed the cardi and twin-set mould and avoided the UoPP and who dreamed of a different world.Their names were Wayfayette and Jellybelly.Bicycles existed in Gerriville but they were of the super-light weight variety, made of exotic materials and costing a great deal of money. A few of the citizens of Gerriville had purchased these bikes and for a few hours each week, got out of their dull garb and donned the bright lycra clothing which was deemed the only clothing with which to ride these bikes. Lycritis was a well known pathology in the city, but doctors could not find a cure and indeed, doctors were often amongst the worst afflicted.These cyclists tended to travel at great speed around the city for short periods and then placing their bikes back on their vehicles, drove to home or their places of work.Wayfayette and Jellybelly liked the idea of travelling by bicycle but could not see the sense in the speed and funny looking clothing. They searched through the piles of discarded bicycles and managed to fashion something a lot more practical for getting around on.They became very enthusiastic about the bicycle as a means of transport for the post-oil age they were in and that it could be available for all, not just a few.Although they loved their fellow citizens, they thought they might find other ways of doing things beyond the boundaries of their region, they decided to undertake a journey of discovery and on returning help to break the soulless torpor which gripped their city.Pedalling out of Gerriville, they were both excited and yet apprehensive about what they might find.After a few days pedalling they heard the city they were approaching before they saw any sign of it. The loud thud-thud of engines could be heard in the valleys along which they pedalled. Cresting the next hill, they saw another valley shrouded in smoke and as they came closer to it a large sculpture in bronze rose out of the smog. They saw eventually that it was figure of a man, standing on the roof of an old fashioned car. At the base of the sculpture was the town's name - Motorville.Pedalling on further into the city proper, they noticed that there were not that many cars about but what few there were, were painted in bright primary colours, but to their surprise, close examination showed them to be electric vehicles, but they belched out artificial smoke and huge speakers in the vehicles emitted the loud "thud-thud" they had heard from far away. No doubt this was a city in a time warp, which worshipped the noise and smell of old petrol driven vehicles.Citizens not in cars sat in special cubicles in large malls, sporting the ubiquitous peaked hats and their eyes were covered by a sort of shield. Jellybelly and Wayfayette were curious and paid an attendant to enter one of these cubicles. When they donned the shield, they were immediately surrounded by cars revving and swerving and sounding their horns. It was so frightenting that Wayfayette and Jellybelly threw off their shields and realised that it was virtual reality they were viewing where the sights and sounds of old cars were endlessly replayed.This was a disease far more life debilitating than the Lycritus of Gerriville.When they found someone with whom they could talk they were informed that the town lived for an annual car race promoted by their Chamber of SIT and the board of governors - who were elected on the promise of supporting it.Wayfayette asked -"But what fuels the car - petrol no longer exists?". "No", the citizen sadly nodded. "We boild up the few remaining animals in our province and produce a brew which will fuel a few of the old cars around a couple of laps each year and that keeps everyone happy".Jellybelly and Wayfayette walked away, pushing their bikes and shaking their heads at this grand delusion. Feeling their health diminishing their by the minute, they mounted their bikes and pedalled out of the smoke and noise, on the road out over the hills.Though barren of animal life the was still some stunted vegetation for a few more hours but gradually this became more sparse with great patches barren ground. Pretty soon this gave way to a vast desert. Eventually out of the desert signs of habitation appeared.It was or had been a great city. The buildings were mostly moribund now, but our travellers could see that their had been grand eddifices once in the long ago past.The sign at the entrance ot the city said "Citrusville", but this now appeared very ironic. The citizens they could see were few in number and appeared very down at heel. Thier eyes were downcast, as the searched ravinously for anything they might offer a morsel to eat.When they saw an old woman sitting in the shade of an old mansion, they pedalled over to speak with her. They asked her how the place became so barren and how was she able to survive here.She said, "It wasn't always like this I am told." "A long time ago this was an area of great prosperity, with thriving orchards, vineyards, cattle and deer strolled around rich pastures. Creeks flowed with clear water.""What happened?" asked Wayfayette."Well, I'm told there were warnings that the world was warming but an old mayor at the time - Barnaby I think was his name - said "Bunkum!". A mine nearby needed water for its operation and Barnaby sold him our town water.""The mine grew and its appetite for more water grew and Barnaby happily supplied it.""As the climate became warmer, the streams eventually dried up. Barnaby put down huge bores at great expense but they too eventually dried up. As the farms closed down one by one, Barnaby fled the district, and the district fell into ruin. The few remaining trees were felled for fuel to run generators to keep the flat screen tv's and air conditioners going, but eventually there was nothing less to burn.""The few of us left here, manage by scavanging a few pieces of fruit found on remnant trees and vines and a lizard there and a rat there. Good pickings can often be had at the old mine site, which was used for many years as a rubbish dump for waste from the Metropolis."Hearing the old woman's story, Jellybelly and Wayfayette, could imagine what a paradise Citrusville once was but what a dangerous force the quest for wealth coupled with an ignorance of the obvious was.With heavy hearts they pedalled on, beginning to doubt that they would ever find the city of their dreams - that exemplar they could take back to Gerriville to inspire their citizens to break their soporific spell.As they pedalled on, their spirits gradually lifted throught the combined effect of the sheer pleasure of riding a bicycle but also because the landscape was once again changing to a greener hue.The hills were now covered with trees and also on all the tallest hills, gleaming white windmills turned poetically and placidly.The valleys were once again crowded with farms which were small but highly productive mixed farming enterprises.Entwined seamlessly within and between the farms were arrays of mirrors facing north which Jellybelly and Wayfayette recognised from their reading as being solar thermal plants.Even more pleasurable to see was the constant traffic to and from the farms - of bicycles. Bicycles with baskets, bicycles trailers - all chock full of farm produce.Thrilled by what they saw, they pedalled on into increasing traffic, but as this was mostly cyclists -sans helmets- in separated lanes, but also small electic cars emitting no noise or smoke and electric buses.A few kilometers further on they passed the city sign - "Conviviaville"!They felt very safe pedalling into this obviously busy and thriving city. Where the motorist intersected with the cyclist the cyclist had right of way. Cyclists had the forward position at traffic lights and so could be easily seen and safely negotiated by the vehicle drivers.Wayfayette and Jellybelly were beside themselves with joy.It wasn't just the traffic, there was genuine sense of wellbeing and prosperity. People chatted together as they pedalled. Cafes and restaurants were crowded with happy people and commerce hummed along at the steady pace of the bicycle rhythm.The bicycles themselves were of the practical variety. Obviously affordable as nearly everyone had one and they came in all sorts of varieties - some specialised for carrying children, others for transporting goods. People of all ages pedalled. The general health of the community was markedly apparent.Wayfayette and Jellybelly just had to find out how this transformation had come about.They got directions to the Council House and pedalled there straight away. Securing their bikes on one of the many specialised parking bays available, they could see that here was a council which took cycling seriously.Immediately they sought an interview with the Mayor and because they had made such a journey from Gerriville, they were admitted without delay.The Mayor came from behind her desk, extending her hand and smiling broadly -"Hello, my name is Tracey, you must be Wayfayette and Jellybelly from Gerriville."Our travellers shook the Mayor's hand warmly at the same time noting that the Mayor's bicycle was in the corner of the room."How can I help you?" Tracey asked."We have been so surprised and pleased with everything we have seen here, how did it all begin?" asked Wayfayette."Well, when I was a young woman, I came across a book from my great ancestors library - also a Tracey and also a Councillor. That book was called "Tools of Conviviality" by Ivan Illich.""Illich emphasised that the tools needed by society to flourish needed to be inexpensive and preferably human powered. We have been facing a challenge of the loss of fossil fuels and a warming planet and also increasing population.""I passed this book on to some of my friends and we began discussing the concepts and eventually we decided to run for council and see if we could bring about changes in the way we did things here and at the same time grow a community which was both prosperous and yes, convivial. This message seemed to fall on receptive ears and we were elected.""We chose cycling as the first nut to crack. If we could make cycle transport mainstream then that would be a huge behavioural change. If that behaviour could change it would become easier to move on to renewable energy, local food, biodiversity and so on.""Yes!" interjected Jellybelly -"we noticed that on the way into town.""So what was your strategy with cycling?"Tracey continued, "We already had a cycling culture but it was sport and recreational based. Proud of it though we were, we had produced many champions and many cycling events are held at our CyclePark, we had to step right around that and create cycling as a mainstream transport option.""A key strategy was to get women cycling to work or places of education. We knew safety and comfort were to be big issues. That meant we had to invest in infrastructure - safe cycling lanes separated as much as possible from the motorised traffic, prioritised parking for bikes right at places of work, education, cafes, bars and restaurants.""You obviously have been successful. No one rides bikes for transport in Gerriville. Was it easy to get people to change their habits?" asked Wayfayette."Not at all, " answered Tracey, "we established bicyle plan for the city with a ten year scope but with regular reviews each two years to see if we were meeting our goals. Our initial goals were conservative and with hindsight, quite realisic. We aimed at a modest 2% of cycle transport within the first two years, rising to 5% in the next two and so on. After 12 years we are now at close to 50% of our citizens regularly using bicycles as transport."With mounting excitement bubbling up within, Wayfayette asked, "Have there been side benefits in the shift from private motor transport to bikes?""Health is big winner as is business. Cyclists on average live 7 years longer than car drivers and they have fewer sick days and free up hospital bed for more needy cases so it has had a very significant effect on our health budget. The city estimates there is a net profit to the city of $1 for ever km cycled. ""From an environmental viewpoint our estimate is that we save about 4,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide pollution each year.""Even from a city planning perspective, easy safe cycling infrastructure, combined with our green space program, community gardens and car free civic space has been much easier to sell medium density living to our citizens so take pressure off housing developments in our rural areas, thus saving valuable agricultural land for the growing of food and fibre which are now booming industries in our region."Wayfayette and Jellybelly sat transfixed in smiles. They felt ready to take this story home.They thanked Tracey profusely and expressed their sincere gratitude. After a joyful cycle around the city taking in all the experiences they could, they took leave of the city of Conviviaville and set out for home.They stopped off in Citrusville and told the story of who would listen and those who did were grateful. In Motorville they broke through the wall of noise and smoke to tell those citizens of the thriving city of Conviviaville and that a prosperous future could be made without the oil economy.On reaching their home in Gerriville they were welcomed back with great enthusiasm. Many clustered to hear their story. The Chamber of SIT was disbanded and the Chamber of Wellbeing formed. A new council was elected from energised citizens who could see many new opportunities in front of them.Wayfayette and Jellybelly participated with great enthusiasm in all these changes and were very happy. The citizens of Gerriville did not discard their cardies or twin sets – but they looked much younger and smiled a lot as they cycled around their now vitalised region.Click on image to view slideshow
- TypeEventTitleAuthorkeith.hungerfordReplies0
- TypeEventTitleAuthorkeith.hungerfordReplies024/04/2010 - 8:00am24/04/2010 - 12:00pm
Special Family markets celebrating the Bathurst Harvest Festival.
See www.bread.org.au for more details.
- TypeNewsTitleAuthorkeith.hungerfordReplies002/05/2010 - 10:00am02/05/2010 - 10:10am
Meet for a quick photo at the Bathurst Visitor Information Centre to support the national launch of the 100% Renewables campaign, 10 am on Sunday 2 May 2010.
More information at 100% Renewables campaign - TypeNewsTitleAuthorkeith.hungerfordReplies028/04/2010 - 7:00pm28/04/2010 - 9:00pm
Date: Wednesday, 28 April, 2010 Time: 7.00 pm
Place: Café Kai, 133 George St, Bathurst (6332 2078)
Cost: $20 each
This is a dinner for members and a friend or couple you wish to invite. Dr Bruce Fell will talk to us about his book, “Television and Climate Change. The Season Finale”.
Bruce is a lecturer in the School of Communication at Charles Sturt University Bathurst. Earlier in his life Bruce was a rice farmer and a market gardener.
Dr Andrew Rawson is an advisor for the NSW Department of Environment and
Climate Change and an Adjunct Lecturer at Charles Sturt University, Orange. Dr Rawson has a broad knowledge of all aspects of climate change and a particular
interest in the area of soil carbon.
Discussion and Q&A will be the order of the night.
RSVP to Patrick on 6332 5220 by Fri 23/4
- TypeEventTitleAuthorkeith.hungerfordReplies004/05/2010 - 5:00pm04/05/2010 - 7:00pm
Venue: CSU Allen House lounge
Convenor: Iain Townsend
- TypeBook pageTitleAuthorkeith.hungerfordReplies0
I've had the flu over the past couple of weeks. I've been coughing my lungs out and have just about lost my voice. So this week, I'm going to hand over to BCCAN member Patrick Forman, who offers these thoughts:
Feeling a tad exhausted after just having pedaled in from Lithgow, against a stiffening breeze, a friendly face approached the cafe where I was carbohydrate loading and liquid replenishing. It was none other than Lis Bastian, who many will know from the various presentations she has given in Bathurst around the topic of climate change [and before that, the friendly face of Arts OutWest!]. Lis has worn out much shoe leather across the length and breadth of the Central West and beyond, imparting her passion and informing and cajoling us to make the effort to stem the tide of global warming.
Lis was on her way to Orange to run a course in permaculture. She is indeed a muti-talented human being - writer, artist, cook, grower, preserver, mother, partner and community galvaniser just to name a few. It was a fairly rushed conversation as she was just pausing to fill up on delicious Legall pastries, but that short conversation really made my day. Lis has recently taken on a new job as the Climate Adaptation Officer of Central NSW Councils (CENTROC). She is very upbeat about the roles councils are filling in the vacuum left by our state and federal legislatures.
I had become a bit down after the failure of Australia to adopt even the very timid emissions trading scheme put forward by the Rudd government and then the failure of world leaders to agree on specific and binding targets for emissions reduction at the Copenhagen conference.
Lis was having none of that negativity and indeed, I too immediately felt up-lifted by her enthusiasm of what councils are doing and planning.
,,,
Okay, back to me now. The above is a slightly edited version of Patrick Forman's blog on the BCCAN website. The website is chock-full of interesting local discussions about climate change. It will be further enriched the more we participate in it, becoming a storehouse of information on issues such as gardening, solar panels and environmental activism.
