WHO GIVES A CRAP… Presenters Sue Clarke, Michael Chambers and Hannah Farrant-Jayet with some of the 100% recycled toilet paper rolls and native trees that were handed out to attendees at the workshop.
It’s easy to think the topic of sustainability has been exhausted, but the ‘Breaking Down’ Sustainability Workshop last Wednesday inspired attendees to make further changes in their personal lives.
Presenters Hannah Farrant-Jayet, Michael Chambers and Sue Clarke had some shocking and gloomy statistics of the devastation of our natural world, but also offered hope and encouragement of what each of us can do to help the planet heal.
Hannah focused on the big issues affecting the planet by looking at the three pillars of sustainability, namely economic viability, environmental protection and social equity, and how we need all three to achieve lasting prosperity.
She also focused on the crisis of biodiversity, especially on Australia’s dismal record with 59% of surviving species rated as threatened.
Michael offered some lesser known practical solutions of how each of us can be more sustainable in how we live. Some of these included using our voting power, moving to a more fruit and vegetable-based diet with less meat, buying pre-owned clothes from opp shops, online market places or looking for ethical fashion brands.
An easy one is planting more native species in our gardens, buy paper with the FSC label, take part in citizen science projects, buy 100% recycled toilet paper, start a worm farm and invest ethically.
“We have to keep it simple and take little steps at a time,” said Sue Clarke from Netwaste. “Our lives are busy, and it is easier to shut down about climate change, than take action.”
By Maggi Barnard