Completely ignoring everything our PM has to say on the topic, you probably have some understanding of the environmental damage we humans are doing to our planet.
I’ve always thought it’s up to each of us individually to do one little thing every day to help slow the process of climate change. Something as simple as putting out the recycling, using cloth bags at the supermarket or chucking food scraps in a compost bin.
On a larger scale, installing a water tank and solar panels.
All these ideas are featured in the Sustainable Living Festival, happening over the next few weeks in Melbourne, with an array of art displays, tours, talks and interactive activities, films and forums.
Locally, Wyndham council’s sustainability people have organised a great program of events and information.
Worm farming, keeping chooks in the backyard, a tour of the Western Treatment Plant, and information on heritage fruit trees are all on the agenda.
My own personal contribution is a short tour of our property in Little River. Our family home is fully powered by 30 solar panels and a 12-cell battery bank.
We have no grid connection at all, which means we never pay an electricity bill, and I love it when energy companies ring me up and offer a better deal.
Sustainability is a topic close to my heart, although I’m sure some of you out there are yawning into your non-biodegradable coffee cup.
My point is that just one sustainable action a day is all it takes to help our planet.
And even Tony Abbott has to agree that’s a good thing.
Emma Sutcliffe is a freelance writer on Facebook at ‘‘Little River Emma’’.
» slf.org.au and wyndham.vic.gov.au
