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David Suzuki feels positive about three recent events

29/2/2016

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There is an interesting interview with David Suzuki (is a Force of Nature) in Issue 46 of Dumbo Feather at the Benalla Library.
Despite being generally cynical of events such as the recent meeting in Paris there were three things he hadn't anticipated: “one, the science has become clearer and clearer. Scientists are now practically begging we do something because of the danger of continued green-house gas emissions. We simply are on a very terrifying path. The science is in and it is frightening. Two, I never imagined that the two biggest emitters, China and the United States, would get together and say, "We have to do something about climate change." That's huge. But the third thing, that is the absolute game changer, was Pope Francis' encyclical. It is the most incredible piece of literature. I weep when I read it. He puts everything together; He doesn't fragment everything, he doesn't say, "Oh well, hunger and poverty, that's as issue for Oxfam, and social justice, that's an issue for Amnesty International, and the environment, that's an issue for the Suzuki Foundation." All of it is in a single package: we're now confronting a moral issue about the way we live on this planet. We've spent all our time being a focused on two relationships-human relationship with God and human relationships with other human beings. But the third one is a human relationship to the rest of creation."
You can read or download the encyclical at http://m.vatican.va/content/francescomobile/en/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20150524_enciclica-laudato-si.html

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Bushfires in Tasmania's World Heritage forests

23/2/2016

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BSFG President John Lloyd has forwarded the link to a just released Greenpeace video which shows some of the incredible fire damage that has occurred in Tasmania’s World Heritage Area. Fire damage that the Premier of Tasmania acknowledges can be attributed to climate change. 

John writes "...While many of you will no doubt feel distressed about this damage I feel a special sense of loss having done some major walks in the World Heritage Area in recent years. While I have not walked in the areas that have been burning I have first-hand experience of the type of country that has been destroyed. These ancient forests and alpine areas are such sensitive environments that parts of them may never recover.  ... John Lloyd"
It is well worth reading Greenpeace's blog post 'Ancient trees are burning in Tasmania and some will never grow back' . and the references which accompanied the Greenpeace email - ie
1] Climate Council: Climate change to blame for destruction of ancient forests in Tasmania
[2] ABC News: Tasmania fires: First images of World Heritage Area devastation emerge, show signs of 'system collapse'
[3] The Age: PR war over firest in Tasmania's world heritage area takes to air
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General Meeting Thursday February 25 7.30pm

13/2/2016

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Our next General Meeting will be held on Thursday February 25th at 7.30pm in the Uniting Church Meeting Room opposite the Coles Car Park, Carrier Street, Benalla.
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Our Guest Speaker will be Martina Rienzner who is Hume Region Strategic Coordinator for Statewide Engagement for Sustainability Victoria.  Marina will talk about the role of Sustainability Victoria and how it has changed under the current state government as well as Sustainability Victoria’s role in relation to taking/encouraging action on climate change.  She will also report on the outcomes of the regional climate change forums that were held around Victoria. 

The following link features a short video on the work of Strathbogie Voices and Euroa Talks showing how one community is tackling issues of climate change and the environment.  The video features Kate Stothers, until recently a BSFG member and a founding member of Benalla and District Environment Group.  The video is also embedded below.
http://www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/services-and-advice/community/climate-change-community

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'The Zillion Year Town' and 'Battery Powered Homes' ...

7/2/2016

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​BSFG and U3A 'Towards a Sustainable Future' member Frank Dunin has contributed a reference for listening/reading of a very interesting programme - 'The Zillion Year Town' - broadcast on Ockham's Razor on Sunday 17 January 2016.  "Our cities and suburbs are unsustainable.  Their construction, maintenance, and operation consumes: cement, concrete, steel, aluminium, brick, tile, glass, marble, tarmac, coal, oil, gas, and just about every other non-renewable.  Little is reused, and only a modest proportion is recycled. Infrastructure Consultant Nick Sharp is suggesting that we live in medium-sized towns which are sustainably constructed and where all buildings would have composting toilets, which would also take all kitchen scraps.  Full hoppers would be swapped out and the material processed and sent to the food and fibre lands.  This saves water and closes the phosphate cycle before we exhaust the phosphorus mineral sources, on which today's agriculture deeply depends" .   A very thought provoking recommendation, Frank!   (link to full episode)

​Members are also buzzing about the excellent Catalyst production this week on 'Battery Powered Homes' in which Dr Jonica Newby investigates home batteries - how they work, why you will want one, how they will change the way we consume electricity & what they mean for the future of the world's power generation.  "There's a power revolution heading for our homes – a device that allows you to take power into your own hands. Its batteries, home batteries, and they've been called the holy grail of renewables – the key to the transition away from fossil fuels. ...Find out how you can be part of it.(link to full episode and transcript here).  



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    ​BSFG News

    Regular updates on sustainability issues of concern to BSFG members in Benalla and North East Victoria and on key events in the BSFG calendar.

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    Annual General Meeting 24 May 2024
    Swanpool Environmental Film Festival 
    Benalla Food
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​Benalla Sustainable Future Group acknowledges the traditional owners of the land on which we live, work and meet, the Taungerang, Yorta Yorta and Bpangerang people ​of North East Victoria, and pay our respects to their elders past, present and emerging.
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