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Householders’ Options to Protect the Environment Inc. PO Box 6118 – Clifford Gardens, TOOWOOMBA QLD 4350 (22 Vacy Street, Toowoomba QLD 4350) Ph 07 4639 2135; Email: office@hopeaustralia.org.au Website: http://www.hopeaustralia.org.au Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Householders.Options.to.Protect.the.Environment ABN 48 036 173 161

HOPE E-news Bulletin 2017 #02 --- 02 February 2017 The following items have been gathered from various e: newsletters received by HOPE in recent times; and/or prepared specifically by HOPE members and supporters. If you have any news to contribute, please forward to office@hopeaustralia.org.au . Deadline for articles is 15th day of the month.

Editorial Welcome, This edition of the newsletter has another eclectic mix of articles for your reading pleasure. I especially draw your attention to HOPE’s quarterly Ordinary Meeting being held on 11 February; and the 1st of our community forums “Organic Gardening – The Natural Way” being held on 18 February. (see pages 2-3 for full details) Also, we’re keen to hear of your “environmental issues of concern or interest”. Please send your thoughts to us as a “Letter to the Editor” or as a short article. Regards, Frank Ondrus, Office Manager – HOPE Inc., ph 07 4639 2135, email office@hopeaustralia.org.au

2017 National/International Events Calendar

2017 – International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development

2014-2024 – International Decade of Sustainable Energy for All February

2 World Wetlands Day

11 HOPE quarterly Ordinary Meeting, Toowoomba

11 International Day of Women & Girls in Science

18 HOPE Community Forum – “Organic Gardening – The Natural Way”, Toowoomba

28 Business Clean Up Day March

3 World Wildlife Day

3 Schools Clean Up Day

5 Clean Up Australia Day

5-11 National Ground Water Awareness Week

6-8 Green Cities Conference

18 HOPE Picnic Social – Queens Park, Toowoomba (off Lindsay St)

21 International Day of Forests

22 World Water Day

23 World Meteorological Day

25 Earth Hour April

18 World Heritage Day

18-21 National Trust Heritage Festival

22 HOPE Community Forum – “The Value of Heritage to Queensland (and the Darling Downs)”, Toowoomba

22 Earth Day

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Office News Report --- February 2017 Good afternoon folks,

Firstly, a big thanks to all of our members and supporters nationally for forwarding us lots of fantastic, interesting and useful information on a variety of environmental subjects. Please continue to send in this great material.

We are keen to add to our Alliance/Partnership program (http://www.hopeaustralia.org.au/about-us/partnershipsalliances-ngos/ ), so if you aware of an envNGO doing great things – and their mission statement aligns with the HOPE Charter – please forward their contact details to us and we’ll do the rest. Queensland-wide, we encourage you to support the work of Queensland Conservation Council (QCC) http://www.queenslandconservation.org.au/ and Queensland Water and Land Carers (QWaLC) http://qwalc.org.au/ .

Of course, here in Toowoomba, we invite you to support us and our local colleagues by attending and or supporting our respective meetings, community events, campaigns and special projects. Please check the items below for further information on HOPE’s activities, etc.

Regards,

Frank Ondrus, Office Manager – HOPE Inc., ph 07 4639 2135 Ordinary Meeting, 11 Feb 2017 This month’s activities include our quarterly Ordinary Meeting being held on Saturday 11 February at the HOPE Office, 22 Vacy St, Toowoomba, commencing at 10am sharp! Items of business include a summary of our grant applications; the 2017 Community Forum program; current and proposed special projects including National Youth Week (8 April 2017) and “Creating Wildlife Habitats in YOUR Backyard” workshop(s) (date(s) to be confirmed). If you are coming along to the meeting, please RSVP by Thursday 9 February to assist with seating and catering arrangements. 2017 Community Forum Program Our first community forum for 2017, “Organic Gardening – The Natural Way” is on Saturday 18 February at the Toowoomba City Library (cnr of Herries & Victoria Sts, Toowoomba), from 1pm to 4pm. Guest speakers include Mike Wells and Peter Macqueen, lecturers at Toowoomba TAFE Horticulture; and Colin Johnson from Earthlife Pty Ltd. Mike will give an “Introduction to Organic Gardening”, Peter will speak on “Organic Pest Control - Non-toxic preparations for insect & disease control” and Colin will talk about “Healthy soils, healthy plants ... it’s that simple!”. Bookings are essential and entry is by gold coin donation. Please reserve your place at the forum by phoning the HOPE office on 07 4639 2135 or by email to office@hopeaustralia.org.au . Draft 2017 Community Forum program

DATE START TIME

END TIME

THEME SPEAKER(S)

18 Feb 1pm 4pm 1) An Introduction to Organic Gardening 2) Organic Pest Control - Non-toxic

preparations for insect & disease control 3) Healthy soils, healthy plants ... it’s that

simple!

1) Mike Wells, TAFE Horticulture 2) Peter Macqueen, TAFE Horticulture 3) Colin Johnson, Earthlife Pty Ltd

22 Apr ditto ditto The Value of Heritage to Queensland (and the Darling Downs)

Qld Heritage Council, Stephanie Keays and Gail Lipke

17 June ditto ditto Going Solar – On/Off Grid with Battery Storage

Terry Davis & Michael Reiken, Excel Solar

19 Aug ditto ditto An Overview of Condamine Alliance (NRM / Landcare) - beginnings, current achievements and future plans

Various staff

21 Oct ditto ditto An afternoon with Jerry Coleby-Williams Jerry Coleby-Williams, ABC Gardening Australia TV presenter and Patron of HOPE

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2017 Social Program The Office has proposed the following dates and venues for BYO “picnic” socials throughout 2017:

18 Mar, 12noon Queens Park, East Toowoomba (off Lindsay St)

17 May, 12noon Highfields Pioneer Village & Museum, 73 Wirraglen Rd, Highfields

15 July, 11am start Peacehaven Botanic Park & Nursery, 56 Kuhls Road, Highfields

16 Sept, 12noon Japanese Gardens, USQ precinct (entrance of West St, Toowoomba)

18 Nov, 12noon Laurel Bank Park, Herries St, Toowoomba Also, we are keen to organise group (10 or more) bookings to attend one or more of the Toowoomba Repertory http://www.toowoombarepertorytheatre.com.au/index.html (94 Margaret St, Toowoomba) productions scheduled for 2017.

The draft program of productions

Dates Title Author Genre

Feb 16 - Mar 4 “Australia Day” Jonathan Biggins Comedy

April 25 - May 13 “The One Day of the Year” Alan Seymour Drama

July 12 - 29 “The Visitors” Barney Norris Comedy

Sept 18 - 23 Festival of One-Act Plays

Play Writing Competition Performances TBA TBA

Nov 8 - 25 “Don’t Dress for Dinner” Marc Camoletti Comedy

SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS FOR HOPE AUSTRALIA By Charmaine Turnbull, HOPE’s Social Media Administrator

Are you aware that HOPE Australia has several social media accounts? You can find us on Facebook, Twitter, Linked In, Instagram and of course our website www.hopeaustralia.org.au .

Have you read our articles and thought that you would like to know more about that subject? Or maybe you have a question to ask but aren’t sure how to ask it? Would any of you be interested in HOPE Australia going ‘live’ on Facebook once a week where you could ask all of your questions? Let us know what you think.

The articles we promote through our Facebook account are articles we think will resonate with our members/followers/readers. They are about the environment and how we can make it better, about sustainable living and any tips and tricks we may have found and think our audience would be interested in. We have regular members who send us info and articles but are always looking for more.

On our Facebook page, we promote local events in the area. Whilst these aren’t created by HOPE Australia, we feel that promoting them through our social media will enable a wider audience to be aware of these activities.

Our Twitter feeds are about events happening in the next week or so, and about events or activities happening in the wider area.

Our Instagram account is generally focussed on interesting pictures/photos/images about the environment and animals.

Our Linked In page is managed by our President – Frank Ondrus.

We look forward to reading any articles/photos/ideas you send us.

Website - www.hopeaustralia.org.au Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Householders.Options.to.Protect.the.Environment/ Twitter - @HOPE_Australia_ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/hope_australia_/ Linked In - https://www.linkedin.com/in/frank-ondrus-3b8aba102/

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Volunteers needed More active volunteers – both local and remote (i.e. online) – are required to help us maintain our high levels of activity. Volunteers are needed to help with projects, events and display activities, as well as general admin duties and media/publications work. We invite members and supporters to step up and volunteer some time and talents to help share the workload. Current vacancies include Media Officers and Newsletter Editor.

Please contact the office on 07 4639 2135 or email office@hopeaustralia.org.au to offer your assistance.

A fair portion of the above work would ideally be done by locals (i.e. in the Toowoomba area) because the HOPE office is in Toowoomba. However, quite a bit of the literature review, research, media and publications activity can be done via email. If you have a little bit of time to help us in any way, then contact the HOPE office on email office@hopeaustralia.org.au or phone (07) 4639 2135.

Your financial support sought- http://www.hopeaustralia.org.au/annual-pledgedonation/

We invite members and supporters to consider making an annual financial contribution to help cover our operating costs of approximately $20,500 p.a. Currently, our income is derived from project grants, fund-raising, corporate sponsorship and donations, but falls well short of our requirements. Your financial support, by way of an annual pledge or donation, will considerably help us to achieve better financial viability.

Advertising Rates HOPE is keen to raise some much-needed revenue through the introduction of paid advertising in our newsletter.

At this stage, we are offering business card sized adverts for $30 + $3 GST per edition; OR $300 + $30 GST for a full year.

If interested, please send your advert to office@hopeaustrlia.org.au and your payment to HOPE Inc., PO Box 6118 – Clifford Gardens, Toowoomba QLD 4350.

(Direct debit banking details available on request.)

“Ecological footprint - the impact of a person or community on the environment, expressed as the amount of land required to sustain their use of natural resources.”

What’s your personal/family footprint? http://www.wwf.org.au/get-involved/change-the-way-you-live/ecological-footprint-calculator#gs.0qgSUlg http://www.earthday.org/take-action/footprint-calculator/ http://ecologicalfootprint.com/ http://www.worldatlas.com/articles/countries-with-the-largest-ecological-footprints.html

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Feature Articles

STOP TRASHING AUSTRALIA Problem

Australians use between 13-14 billion drinks containers a year. While recycling makes a big difference, today, less than half of all these containers are collected for re-manufacture. This means around seven billion drink containers end up as waste in landfill, littering our beaches and streets, or in our oceans.

Marine plastic pollution has become a huge problem affecting all of the world’s oceans – up to a third of this material comes from the beverage industry. This material is known to be the cause of injuries and deaths of numerous marine animals and birds as they mistake it for prey and eat it. Many die as a result, literally starving on a full stomach.

The majority of the plastic – estimates are 80% - comes directly from land. Whales, dolphins, turtles, seals and countless other marine life have become victims of land litter. Marine plastic pollution is found floating on all the world’s oceans, even near to Polar Regions. It also contaminates the seabed. It is found everywhere, from the beaches of industrialised countries to the shores of the most remote, uninhabited islands. According to Dr Jennifer Lavers, whose research focuses on the impacts of plastics on marine life, up to 85% of Australian marine birds are affected by plastics. Solution

“Beverage container recycling rates are appallingly low in most states. 40% of the rubbish we collect on Clean Up Australia Day is bottles and cans, but in South Australia, where they have container deposits they are just 8.4% of the rubbish we collect.”

Ian Kiernan AO Founder of Clean Up Australia and past Australian of the year.

A simple solution- known as a container deposit scheme (CDS), or ‘cash for containers,’ - is at hand. A 10 cent deposit gives people an incentive for returning containers for recycling. It’s just as easy as purchasing the drink. You pay a 10 cent deposit which is included in your purchase price and then you return your container to a designated recycling agent to receive your cash back.

South Australia has had just such a program in place for over 30 years and today, 81% of their bottles are recycled, around twice the rate of other states. The Northern Territory launched their scheme in January 2012– already reporting millions of containers diverted from landfill or our environment.

In South Australia alone the Scouts earn $2 million per year operating cash for container collections and depots that recycle these and other waste items. According to Clean Up Australia, the community service sector will earn around $70 million a year to re-invest into local communities if we adopt this approach nationally. A Newspoll survey from 2012 showed cash for containers is supported by over 80% of the Australian public.

What's the hold up?

Major bottlers led by Coca Cola have campaigned fiercely to pressure governments, keeping them from adopting recycling refund schemes. Coca Cola has even gone so far as to take the North Territory Government to court in order to shut the NT scheme down.

Whilst the beverage industry pedals myths about increased costs for the consumer, prices in South Australia are no higher than in other states. And again, according to Clean Up Australia, a national recycling refund program would cut current local government waste and recycling costs by $32 million.

With between a quarter and a third of all plastic marine pollution coming from the beverage industry a recycling refund scheme would go a long way to reducing the impact plastic has on our environment.

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One person in three in the world lives in poverty. Oxfam is determined to change that world by mobilising the power of people against poverty. Around the globe, Oxfam works to find practical, innovative ways for people to lift themselves out of poverty and thrive. Oxfam works with partner organisations and alongside vulnerable women and men to end the injustices that cause poverty. When people have the power to claim their basic human rights, they can escape poverty – permanently. This core belief underpins their programs in more than 90 countries. With partners, allies and with local communities, they can help people to claim rights for themselves. Working with schools

Oxfam Australia’s research and experience shows young people play a crucial role in helping people overcome poverty. But many can feel overwhelmed by the scale of global problems, lack knowledge on specific issues, or are unaware of the opportunities to take action and make a genuine contribution. That’s why all Oxfam’s Term projects and Classroom resources are designed to balance problems with practical solutions. Their school resources are developed in accordance with the Learn, Think, Act model of global citizenship. Students are supported to explore and learn about issues, and think critically about what can be done and what they can do – building their confidence and capacity to make ethical, sustainable and informed choices to shape solutions at local, national and global levels. The resources are aligned to the Australian Curriculum, or relevant state secondary school certificate, and can be used across a range of subjects including English, geography, civics and citizenship, health, business and economics, global politics, art and more. Oxfam’s school’s materials can be used:

in the classroom

by student leadership teams, social justice groups and student representative councils

to support extra-curricular school activities, such as fundraising days; and

when engaging with the wider school community. The world produces enough food to feed everyone. Yet, one in nine people on our planet go to bed hungry each night. Why does hunger exist in a world with enough food for all? Food 4 Thought is an interactive teaching resource for English (Years 7-8, 9-10) and Geography (Year 9), to help students explore these and more questions. Includes animations, videos, blogs and more. Find out more about this initiative and many more by visiting www.oxfam.org.au.

$12Trillion Unlock Through Sustainable Business Stacey Vorwerk

The Business & Sustainable Development Commission (BSDC) have developed the flagship report Better Business, Better World. The BSDC has identified that many citizens of the world have been given the chance to lift themselves from poverty, however economic and environmental sustainability are neither stable nor manageable using the

current processes/systems to allow short or long term continuation in past successes.

“If I had an hour to solve a problem and my life depended on the solution, I would spend the first 55 minutes determining the proper question to ask, for once I know the proper question, I could solve the problem in less than five minutes.” ~ Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955) Physicist & Nobel Laureate The BSDC crafted a focus question as written in flagship report: “What will it take for business to be central to building a sustainable market economy—one that can help to deliver the Global Goals?” In the report this question is answered in six chapters/sections (including introduction and conclusion). A summary of the key points in each focus area, as described in detail in the BSDC flagship report (January 2017) are:

REVIEW

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Focus Area 1: Global Goals and Business

The world’s current economic model requires change regardless of the economic and social gains of the past 30 years; violence and crime is forecast to increase with current model continuation

The Sustainable Development Global Goals (17) by the UN, offer a thriving outlook/growth strategy for individual businesses and the world economy.

Focus Area 2: Market Opportunities and Global Goal Delivery

With action to achieve the 17 Global Goals, the private sector/world economy could have the pleasure of receiving US$12 trillion by 2030

The four economic systems – 1. food and agriculture, 2. cities, 3. energy and materials, and 4. health and well-being, account for 50 percent of the US$12 trillion

380 million new jobs by 2030 could be created within the four economic systems (above), mostly in developing countries.

Focus Area 3: Leadership

Global Goals market hot spots are being capitalised by new ventures, using five new types of business models: sharing, circular, lean service, big data and social enterprise. More than 30 Global Goals businesses/”unicorns” with market valuations of more than US$1 billion already exist.

Global Goals are key to long-term business growth and hence top leadership implement the goals through: 1. Communication to the business and investment community 2. Integration of Goals into corporate strategy 3. Work with sector peers to make sector competition sustainable 4. Aid development of enabling policy.

Focus Area 4: Financing

An open-access and standardised reporting system in required for companies to report on their performance on the Global Goals and enable sustainability benchmarking;

Increase in the availability of blended finance is needed to share risks between public and private investors; and

Financial regulations are required to be aligned with the UN Global Goals to help sustainable asset classes more investible at lower cost.

Focus Area 5: Social Contract

600+ million new jobs are necessary over the next 15 years to match growth in the global workforce hence Global Goals need to be incorporated into the economic system to achieve the level of job creation required.

Businesses are to paying their taxes transparently like individuals

Developing good jobs that fully respects the UN Guiding Principles on Human Rights. Focus Area 6: Action

Nurture and mentor the next generation of leaders

Create sectoral transformation roadmaps

Create Global Goal league rankings

Support measures to unlock additional finance needed to achieve the Global Goals.

Explore/implement an independently compiled Responsible Political Engagement Index The full BSDC flagship report Better Business, Better World is available at: - http://report.businesscommission.org/uploads/BetterBiz-BetterWorld.pdf

All photos are copyright and royalty free, from https://pixabay.com

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Queensland News

http://sustainablequeensland.info/ Sustainable Queensland is a portal for professionals concerned about the lack of public recognition of the sustainability challenges facing Queensland and the need for leadership in responding to those challenges, to share their expertise with the broader community, providing an expert vision of an alternative, sustainable way of doing business, an alternative narrative of what Queensland could look like based on the latest insights in the natural and human sciences. Sustainable Queensland aims to inform and progress public debate about sustainable solutions to contemporary social and ecological challenges by providing a space where interested stakeholders and members of the community can access materials prepared by professionals that provide an evidence based vision of how Queensland could be governed and an evidenced based critique of current practices and initiatives in the public and private sector. Sustainable Queensland is run pro-bono by practitioners and academics and seeks to engage with government, non-government organisations, peak industry groups, research bodies, community organisations and interested resident of the State Queensland. Our Philosophy Across Queensland the natural and human environments are being eroded by poor policies that are out of touch with community aspirations and run counter to contemporary insights from the fields of environmental science, sociology and economics.

Queensland is blessed by a tropical / sub-tropical climate, rich and diverse natural and social capital as well as the potential for a vibrant multi-dimensional economy. Together, these alluring attributes attract large numbers of people and businesses to the state every year adding to its vitality and vibrancy. Underpinning the state’s potential is a foundation of bioregional environments that provide essential natural goods and services that are fundamental to a sustainable, healthy, functioning and prosperous State. Many professionals making a living in environmental and economic consulting, project management and academia are deeply concerned about the lack of leadership being shown by elected representatives and key corporate decision makers, and the lack

of interest in evidence based decision making. Sustainable Queensland is a portal for concerned professionals to share their expertise with the broader community, providing an expert vision of an alternative, sustainable way of doing business, an alternative narrative of what Queensland could look like based on the latest insights in the natural and human sciences.

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Our Commitment to Queensland Sustainable Queensland understands the complex interactions between physical, ecological, social and economic systems and the balancing act required by government and the community when formulating policy and making investment decisions for the long-term health and prosperity of the State. As a group of committed professionals, with a long history of service to the Queensland community, we consider it our social and professional obligation to apply our experience and expertise to:

Increase public understanding of socio ecological issues facing Queensland and of possible sustainable public and private sector responses to these issues; and

Assist policy formation and drive innovation and continuous improvement in practice in the State. Our Role Sustainable Queensland aims to provide advisory, analysis and educational services to government, non-government organisations, peak industry groups, research bodies, and community organisations in Queensland. Our Principles Sustainable Queensland is founded on collegiality and the sharing of knowledge and experience for the common good. Our core principles are:

The broadest possible consideration must be given to any decision or piece of advice.

Intergenerational equity must take precedent over a short term benefit.

Sustainable economic development must deliver net social and environmental gain.

The value of an environmental asset appreciates with time.

The value of an engineered asset depreciates with time.

A full Benefit Cost Assessment, incorporating social, economic and environmental factors, must underpin any policy or regulatory reform.

Advertising Rates HOPE is keen to raise some much-needed revenue through the introduction of paid advertising in our newsletter.

At this stage, we are offering business card sized adverts for $30 + $3 GST per edition; OR $300 + $30 GST for a full year.

If interested, please send your advert to office@hopeaustrlia.org.au and your payment to HOPE Inc., PO Box 6118 – Clifford Gardens, Toowoomba QLD 4350.

(Direct debit banking details available on request.)

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KOALA ACTION INC. - http://koalactioninc.org

Koala Action Inc. (KAI) is a volunteer not for profit group made up of individuals concerned about the long-term survival of the koala population in South East Queensland. Its objectives are to help koalas by urging local, state and federal government as well as businesses to retain native bush land habitat, provide resources to rehabilitate degraded bush land to increase its carrying capacity and encourage the replanting of koala food trees and other natives in parks, reserves and open spaces.

KAI provides free koala education and awareness presentations to community groups, schools and private enterprise. Members are also involved in the rescue and care of sick, injured and orphaned koalas as well as actively facilitate the creation and grow koala food tree plantations.

KAI applies for grants and funding at a local, state and federal government level to enable our members to rehabilitate degraded bush land habitat and replant koala food trees and other natives wherever possible. In addition, KAI provides support to those raising koala orphans from their homes.

KAI was involved in the establishment of Queensland Koala Crusaders Inc. (QKC) a like minded volunteer not for profit group based on the Sunshine Coast; the Moreton Bay Eco Alliance (MBEA) that is focusing on habitat loss and fragmentation in the Moreton Bay region and the National Koala Alliance (NKA) made up of koala groups based in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.

KAI members commit to voluntarily undertaking 2 years of maintenance activities at each site replanted to ensure that koala food trees and other natives achieve optimal growth. Since its incorporation, KAI has provided information to the general public and attended local, state as well as federal government meetings on a range of koala related matters.

The Community Litigants Handbook - Fourth Edition Published by Environmental Defenders’ Office (EDO) QLD, www.edoqld.org.au

Since its original publication in 2006, the handbook has been

recommended and used numerous times in Queensland’s

Planning and Environment Court. However, laws change – and

so does The Community Litigants Handbook. This Fourth Edition

brings us up to date again with Queensland’s ever-changing

statutory landscape including new court costs laws, relating to

legal costs in the Planning and Environment Court, which

commenced on 22 November 2012.

Learn:

when and how to commence a court action

the costs and risks of litigation

how to prepare and file court documents

how to prepare your case and increase your chances of success

how to present evidence and appear in court

Packed with tips, easy to follow checklists and example court

documents, you will find this guide an invaluable tool to running

your own planning appeal.

ORDER NOW - Community Litigants Handbook

$40.00 plus $15 postage & handling

To order your copy, please download the ORDER FORM (below), and return by email or post OR phone EDO

on (07) 32114466 to pay by credit card over the phone.

Click on the links below to read extracts from the Community Litigants Handbook:

How to use the Handbook Checklist – Before You Appeal Checklist – Litigation Order Form

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National News

MODELS of Success and Sustainability (MOSS) - www.moss.org.au

MODELS of Success and Sustainability (MOSS) is an Australian based NFP industry for organisations interested in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Sustainability practices. Founded in 2005 by Anne-Maree Huxley, it encourages responsible business practices through education and training which enforce sustainability, ‘zero waste’, change and competitive business success. Sustainability is about ensuring you can sustain yourself, your family, your business or community economically, environmentally and socially now and into the future. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) usually refers to a framework business used to measure and manage their performance. It is seen as a new governance to deliver sustainability and makes organisations more accountable to a broad range of stakeholders. MOSS’s philosophy is based on no ecology no economy – no planet no profits. Like their biosphere, if there is no moss we don’t have a healthy environment. Their goal is to help you plan for the future, to ensure a safe, healthy, productive workplace that contributes to the society in which you live rather than burden it. They aim to inspire ‘visionary change’ by providing the know-how and tools in transition to a regenerative economy by reducing ‘water, waste, resources and energy use’. MOSS has surplus resources to support businesses including sustainable marketing and greenwashing. The World Economic Forum states that 80 per cent of the $3.2 trillion global consumer ‘good sector’ is lost annually due to inefficient ‘make, take, waste’ model which is worth a lot to your business, community or economy. Organisations are encouraged to become a member for less than a $1 a day to achieve their sustainability goals for a low carbon economy through leadership forums, education and networking, one on one support and mentoring. Members can also enjoy 24/7 access to the Members Only Resource Centre with topics listed under the four key impact areas of Workplace, Marketplace, Community and Environment. Prices to join vary depending on what type of organisation you are from. MOSS helps organisations find new opportunities to improve their ‘economic, social and environmental performance, create jobs and build healthy sustainable communities’ by providing an array of tools, workshops and consulting services, education, training and resources. They also provide a new kind of business intelligence that helps business manage their energy, carbon and environmental performance so organisations can increase efficiency, reduce costs and deliver sustainable outcomes that transform business. It also supports the Blue Economy - as opposed to the Green Economy which most people think of when it comes to the environment but is thought of as too expensive and has found to have too many ‘unintended negative consequences.’ The Blue Economy is a new business model that focuses on ‘systems integration’ influenced by nature with ‘zero waste’ that supports a more sustainable and competitive approach to economic development. It has created jobs, encouraged entrepreneurialism and working together with what you have. Through a systematic approach, carried by a Green Economy, the Blue Economy provides us with the ‘principles, methodologies, business models and technologies’ to deliver ‘win-win’ solutions to an innovative economic outlook in which resource deficiency and social cost are ‘untenable and unsustainable.’ Another achievement is the partnership between MOSS and Watreco in the delivery of Vortex Process Technology (VPT) used in applications from fish farms to cooling towers to river recovery. The key aspects of VPT are increased water and energy efficiency and improved water quality. Two Watreco products are at the centre of this next generation fluid processing technology – the Industrial Vortex Generator (IVG) and the FlowMix. The IVG has a wide range of industrial and commercial applications from cooling towers to agriculture and fire-fighting. It is designed to produce a controlled vortex that decreases water viscosity, reducing the energy required to move it through pipes and hoses; increases electrical conductivity and removes air bubbles and lime-scale. The vortex technology inside FlowMix units is designed to increase water aeration; produce micro and nano droplets and improve the mixing of liquids. To contact MOSS and find out how they can help your organisation or if you would like to play a role in one of their key initiatives such as the development of the Blue Economy Institute you can email or call them at: Models of Success and Sustainability (MOSS), 306 Tindals Road, Warrandyte, VIC 3113 Ph: +613 9879 9886 | Mob: 0419 798 104 | Skype: amhmoss | E: info@moss.org.au | W: www.moss.org.au

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Product stewardship in Australia: how far have we come? An overview article from Helen Lewis Research

‘Product stewardship’ is when companies take responsibility for the environmental and social impacts of their products, no matter where or when they occur.

This principle has a number of implications for manufacturers, retailers, and other companies in the supply chain. They have to understand the life cycle impacts of their products, from raw materials through to end of life. Based on this knowledge, and in consultation with stakeholders, they can then identify the issues that are the highest priority for their products, their business and their stakeholders. These issues may need to addressed through a product redesign, or through collaboration with others to establish a take-back program.

In Australia, most of the largest and most visible brands are already taking some form of action through regulated or voluntary take-back schemes. Over 900 companies are signatories to the Australian Packaging Covenant, which obliges them to take a number of actions. All new and existing packaging must be reviewed to identify opportunities for greater material efficiency, material sustainability and recyclability. Their membership fees help to pay for improved recycling facilities and litter reduction programs. An updated Packaging Covenant was approved by Environment Ministers in late 2017.

Electrical and electronic waste (‘e-waste’) is another area of focus for government and industry. The first regulations to be introduced under the Product Stewardship Act 2011 were for televisions and computers. Under the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme, any company that imports these products into Australia must demonstrate that they are a member of a stewardship program. There are four organisations that provide a free recycling service to consumers, with funding from manufacturers and distributors: Australia New Zealand Recycling Platform, MRI, Electronics Product Stewardship Australasia and E-Cycle Solutions. A review of the Regulations in 2017 will investigate, amongst other things, whether its scope should be broadened to include other forms of e-waste.

A number of other electrical or electronic products are covered by voluntary product stewardship schemes. These include:

The long-running MobileMuster program for used mobile phones and phone batteries. This scheme, which is funded by mobile phone manufacturers and carriers including Telstra and Optus, has thousands of collection points in retail stores, workplaces, post offices and local council sites.

Cartridges4Planet Ark collects and recycles used printer cartridges with the support of consumer electronics suppliers. Cartridges can be dropped off free at many retailers and workplaces

ALDI and Battery World both offer consumers a free recycling service for household batteries.

These programs have been operating successfully for many years without the need for regulation. More recently a number of schemes have been introduced for products that are hazardous in landfill or difficult to recycle:

REDcycle is a collection and recycling scheme for ‘soft plastics’ (e.g. bags and film). Funded by consumer products manufacturers, soft plastics are collection through selected Coles and Woolworths stores and recycled into durable products.

PaintBack collects and recycles leftover decorative and architectural paint and paint containers. Launched in 2016, the collection network will be progressively expanded over the next few years.

Tyre Stewardship Australia aims to ensure that tyres are collected and recycled in an environmentally responsible way, and is focused on industry accreditation and developing new markets for recycled tyre rubber

Social enterprise Resource Recovery Australia collects and recycles used mattresses. A stewardship scheme is being developed with manufacturers and retailers to allow the service to be rolled out nationally.

Product stewardship offers a new approach to waste management by directly involving manufacturers, distributors, retailers and other industry stakeholders in the recovery of products at end of life. Product stewardship schemes inject funding for infrastructure, logistics, consumer education and reprocessing; building on and supporting existing services provided by local councils. Just as importantly, it promotes innovation and new ways of thinking about the design and recovery of everyday products.

Helen’s book, Product Stewardship in Action, can be ordered here.

Helen Lewis Research, lewis.helen@bigpond.com , www.helenlewisresearch.com.au Mob: 0419 010 158 | Twitter @packstewardship | LinkedIn https//au.linkedin.com/in/helentlewis

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Solar installations and energy efficiency for non-profit organisations

Solar PV installations are a great way of reducing carbon emissions, something that benefits us all, but they also reduce electricity bills. Solar panels usually 'pay for themselves' in around 5 years. Subsequent savings over the lifetime of the panels probably mean the panels ultimately save something

like 5 times their up-front cost. If energy efficiency measures, like installing LED lighting, are also taken, potential savings are even greater.

It's a no-brainer, but only if you can spare the up-front capital to pay for a solar or energy efficiency project.

Unfortunately, many of the non-profit organisations that provide valuable services to the community are already trying to do too much with too little, so installing solar seems out of the question for them, even though it would eventually lower their carbon emissions and their operating costs.

That's where a CORENA Quick Win project can help. We offer 'free capital' in the form of interest-free loans to pay for solar PV and/or energy efficiency projects at the premises of non-profit organisations, with the loan repayments set at less than the expected resultant savings on power bills. The NFP will never be out of pocket, but nor will they save very much over the repayment period (average 5 years). However, after that the savings on their power bills will mean they have much lower operating costs than previously, meaning more funds available for the services they offer to the community. They will also have greatly reduced their carbon emissions at no cost to themselves.

Why do we do this? Because we desperately want to reduce carbon emissions as quickly as possible, and because we do have the means via our revolving fund to overcome the capital hump for non-profit organisations who otherwise would not be able to pay for emissions-reducing projects.

All our funds are donated, and as Quick Win projects literally 'pay for themselves' and the loans are repaid, the donations are used over and over again in subsequent projects - the money is never 'used up'. Donations made to our first two projects a few years ago, have already paid for more than double the initial value of those donations.

CORENA itself is a non-profit organisation run entirely by volunteers. Our minimal admin costs are covered by membership fees, meaning that 100% of the donated money in the revolving fund is always used to fund our projects. Our operations are completely financially transparent, as you will see if you look the Quick Win project pages on our website.

Often another hurdle for NFP organisations is access to solar and energy efficiency expertise. We have experts on our committee who give free technical advice to help NFPs plan the best projects for their organisation, including the most cost-effective solar installation size, the most reliable panels, and the most effective energy efficiency measures.

Now that we have completed 14 Quick Win projects and have a regular stream of quarterly loan repayments coming back into our revolving fund, we are always looking for more Quick Projects to fund. If you are involved in a non-profit community organisation, please take a look at our project applications page and consider submitting an application for an interest-free loan for a Quick Win project to reduce the carbon footprint of your operations.

For more details, please contact admin@corenafund.org.au.

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Framework for National Strategy on Climate, Health and Well-being for Australia underway By Climate and Health Alliance, www.caha.org.au Around 30 health organisations are now working together to develop a framework for a National Strategy on Climate, Health and Well-being for Australia.

Conceived to support Australia to meet its commitments under the Paris Agreement in considering its citizens right to health in the context of climate policy, the Strategy is intended to meet a national policy gap in addressing the health impacts of climate change.

If adopted, the Strategy would help ensure national climate policy decisions consider the implications for people's health and vice versa i.e. health policy decisions consider the implications of climate change.

The policy framework will be informed by feedback from the health sector during a national consultation in 2016, and will be circulated for comment in March 2017.

Please contact campaigns@caha.org.au if you would like to be part of this process.

Resources

Cooler Smarter: Practical Steps for Low-Carbon Living The routine decisions that shape our days — what to have for dinner, where to shop, how to get to work — may seem small, but collectively they have a big effect on global warming. Cooler Smarter: Practical Steps for Low-Carbon Living (Island Press) explains why your individual

contribution is so vital to addressing this global problem — and shows you the most effective ways

to cut your own global warming emissions by 20 percent or more.

Cooler Smarter powerfully makes the case that we can no longer afford to wait for someone else to solve global warming, and demonstrates how each of us, working together, can build a low-carbon future.

Cooler Smarter provides practical, science-based advice

Cooler Smarter is based on an in-depth, two-year study by the Union of Concerned Scientists. While other guides

suggest an array of tips, Cooler Smarter offers proven strategies to cut carbon, with chapters on transportation, home energy use, diet, personal consumption, plus tips and suggestions for how you can influence your workplace, community, and elected officials to make Cooler Smarter decisions today.

The book explains how to make the biggest impact and when not to sweat the small stuff. It also turns many eco-myths on their head, like the climate impact of food miles or the superiority of all hybrid cars.

With easy-to-use charts and tables, as well as success stories from the frontlines as citizens, companies, and communities across the country fight climate change, the book offers a wealth of science-based strategies that can help you achieve a 20-percent reduction in your carbon footprint—a step the book urges as an important “down payment” toward effectively tackling this problem as a nation.

(Sourced from http://www.ucsusa.org/global_warming/what_you_can_do/practical-steps-for-low-carbon-living.html )