A new update of the Community phone and email directory in printer-friendly PDF format has been posted this week on the Members Documents page of the Community website at:
http://www.aaev.net/page146/private_documents/index.html [2nd item on page]
This one is formatted for printing out if you want a hard-copy directory by the phone. 

And a reminder for the benefit of new residents and Community members:

There are two useful directories of phone and email contacts for community members (plus street addresses for Village residents). These are:
1. An HTML directory that is continuously updated as soon as I receive changes. See: http://www.aaev.net/page146/directory/index.html 
2. A PDF directory formatted compactly for printing out and updated every 4-6 weeks. See

Use the PDF directory as a close-to-the-phone hard-copy reference and the HTML version if you need the latest details.

The standard directories are ordered alphabetically by surname, but if you would like a version ordered numerically by lot numbers, you can request one by email.

As usual, please advise me by email or phone on 8556 6892 of any errors or changes needed to the directories.

Happy New Year to all!

Elizabeth H - for Communications Group 

Assuming we get no further rain between posting this news and midnight tonight (New Year’s Eve), the total rainfall recorded unofficially for 2009 by the gauge in our garden is 534 mm.

This compares with 241 mm in 2006, 477 mm in 2007, 362 mm in 2008, and a long-term average for the region of 520 mm.

So finally, our annual rainfall has cracked average - but I, for one, will not be in the least surprised if “average” is now permanently down on where it was. This has already happened elsewhere across southern Australia (Perth and Melbourne).

Let’s hope for some “tropical in-feeds” to provide summer rain and help ease the stress on gardens.

Elizabeth H.

For those who enjoyed Vanda’s smorgasbord of bean salads at the Village Christmas Party and would like to try making some or all of them, the recipe leaflet is ATTACHED:

With cheers from Vanda R
Bean Salads Xmas 2009

From University of Adelaide research comes the news that biodiversity loss attributed to invasive exotic species is actually a consequence of aggressive dingo control measures. Where dingo populations were allowed to recover, invasive and opportunistic species declined considerably, and native biodiversity increased. Dingos were consistently found where threatened species were surviving. See ATTACHED article.

So - banish shooters and poison bait, bring back the dingo and cherish that yellow Aussie dog!
Dingo benefits ecosystems

“Making your home sustainable”: This new book, self-published in 2004 by Derek Wrigley Design, was written and fully illustrated to help those members of the community who are concerned about the state of the environment and who wish to take remedial action in their own home. The book was started following requests from visitors to the author’s retrofitted house in Mawson ACT during Solar House Day Tours. Check out the Contents at:
http://www.derekwrigleydesign.id.au/book_contents.shtml

The composting boom: More folks are getting into the composting business, including Michael Mobbs, author of Sustainable House. While his version appears to promote some big gadgets and products, it is a sign of the times. See his video and other information at:
http://www.thefifthestate.com.au/archives/8085

The chicken boom: With the onset of the Great Depression in 1929 came a chicken boom. The humble, productive backyard chook helped America, and Australia, get through the greatest financial crisis and highest unemployment of the last hundred years. Eighty years later, in an era of factory farming, cheap food and pervasive obesity, a boom in backyard chicken-raising in America is a telling detail. Read more at:
http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/neglect-of-food-sources-has-the-chooks-coming-home-to-roost-20091227-lg5y.html

Just what happened at Copenhagen? The following two articles are depressing, but help us to understand what didn’t get discussed that should have been, and how the disastrous outcome resulted from power politics:
(1) “China right to link population to climate”
http://www.crispinhull.com.au/ [December 26 2009]; and
(2)“How China gutted Copenhagen and avoided the blame: Mark Lynas of The Guardian reports from the inside"
http://www.smh.com.au/text/articles/2009/12/25/1261243941029.html

And after Copenhagen - now what? Last weekend's minimalist Copenhagen global climate accord provides a great opportunity, says US scientist James Hansen. The old deceitful, ineffectual approach is severely wounded and must die. Now there is a chance for the world to get on to an honest, effective path to an agreement. A carbon-use dividend for everybody must replace the old, ineffectual ‘cap-and-trade’. Read more at:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/dec/27/james-hansen-copenhagen-agreement-opportunities#history-byline%23history-byline

Goods, services and our pervasive drive for self-image: Geoffrey Miller has written an extraordinary book, “Spent”, that challenges us to recognize that our ubiquitous efforts to decorate ourselves and others with goods and services are primarily to project image and status. Many products are signals first and material objects second. The result is that we often engage in a vast orgy of spending mostly to look good in the eyes of others.
http://cruxcatalyst.blogspot.com/2009/12/gifts-that-tell-good-stories.html

James Lovelock’s most recent book “The Vanishing Face of Gaia”: Ultimately, one of the most important cultural changes needed is an understanding that we are part of and completely dependent on a living planetary system... As Lovelock notes, our current understanding of climate regulation is shaped by our view that Earth is but a ball of rock rather than “a live planet that regulates itself.” Once we understand Earth in systems terms, we see just how dire the climate situation really is. Read more about the book at:
http://cruxcatalyst.blogspot.com/2009/12/rediscovering-vanishing-face-of-gaia.html

Think the unthinkable! Can you envision a society without money, a functioning economic system without corporations, or a truly participatory governance system beyond Congress, Parliament, or Duma? The mere prospects seem subversive. And yet, looking across the landscape of deep global recession, environmental crisis, and ongoing technological transformation, it is clear that we are at the beginning of a large-scale organizational transformation that will impact everything we do—from how we organize production to how we grow our food to how we govern ourselves. Read more at:
http://odessatothefuture.com/?p=201&cpage=1#comment-188#comment-188

Hypermobility is now the opium of the people, writes Simon Jenkins in The Guardian - an obsession that wrecks communities and the planet. There are no free trips! While the article refers up front the current travel chaos in Britain, the hard-hitting real message applies globally. Read more at:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/dec/22/blame-for-winter-travel-chaos

How do YOU envision sustainability? As humanity struggles to get to grips with the issues before it, a range of 'sustainabilities' are being defined and articulated - however all fall into two broad categories: (1) Safe Sustainability - maintaining the current trajectory of human enterprise with a few green tweaks (energy efficiency, greener products, and some mitigation) the worst existing aspects of the existing modus operandi); and (2) Savvy Sustainability - which is prepared to face and tackle the uncomfortable, the contentious, the politically dangerous. The first won’t work but don’t expect politicians to lead us to the second, which is our only hope. Read more at:
http://cruxcatalyst.blogspot.com/2009/12/taxonomy-of-sustainability.html

Flood risk decreases when rivers have natural flood plains restored: Reconnecting flood-plains to rivers will help reduce the risk of future flooding, suggest US scientists. The researchers said allowing these areas to be submerged during storms would reduce the risk of flood damage in nearby urban areas. Read more at:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8406351.stm

Surgeons adopt complementary medicines and cut a day on average off recovery times: While many doctors shun complementary medicines as being little better than snake oil, surgeons at The Alfred are learning to embrace several of them. After clinically testing a range of alternative therapies, The Alfred’s heart surgeons found the benefits of taking a concoction of fish oil, magnesium and other antioxidants was so profound they have adopted it for all their patients – together with massage, stress relief and other treatments.
http://www.bioceuticals.com.au/default.aspx?Function=DisplayItem&NewsID=156

[Thanks to Vanda R, John H, and Cruxcatalyt for the links.]

Hi there,

I came accross this very inspiring website through an article about Brad Lancaster (Permaculture Guru) in G Magazine. These videos show Brad in Tuscon Arizona harvesting rainwater from the road outside his home to produce a green landscape that is self sustaining and provides habitat, shade, and edible indigenous food. The videos took ages to open on my computer, but were well worth the wait. Very topical for our neighbourhood group as we are looking into street trees at present and could possibly use a similar system to water the trees. The area only receives 304mm. rainwater annually so is a good indicator of what is possible here in Aldinga.
http://www.harvestingrainwater.com/wp-content/uploads/sustainableroute1.mov
http://www.harvestingrainwater.com/wp-content/uploads/sustainableroute2.mov

Bridget O’D

[Note from Elizabeth H while posting Feed: These really interesting videos suggest to me that, where appropriate, we could replace roadside mounds (that shed water) with roadside planted swales (that collect water). Also, the slope of associated parking bays could be adjusted to feed water into the swales rather than having it wash out across the roads as happens in a number of places at present. John and I have thought for some time that the parking bay and mound outside our house on Hakea Walk could be modified this way - to grow trees better and stop gravel washing out of the parking bay across the road. We were originally told that the high earth mound was to block car headlights, but trees and shrubs would do this just as well in the fullness of time. Perhaps the NEC could consider the above videos in this context.]

What if all the hype about climate change is just a hoax?



[Thanks to Cruxcatalyst for this cartoon from USA Today.]

Will this be SA’s future coastline? It’s a vision of climate change we never expected. A coastline that cuts into the inland of South Australia and brings to life the legend of a giant inland sea. The "deliberately controversial" concept envisions an extended Australian coastline as a result of climate change and sea-level rise in the year 2100, and aims to spark debate about living with climate change. The inland sea would support agriculture and aquaculture, with energy being provided by wave, wind and nuclear power. Biodiversity corridors would link the inland sea with the existing coastline, providing habitat for threatened flora and fauna. Read more at:
http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,26523938-5006301,00.html

And we were taught gravity was a constant! Europe's Goce satellite is returning remarkable new data on the way the pull of gravity varies across the Earth. Scientists say its first maps clearly show details not seen in previous space and ground measurements. The new information is expected to bring new insights into how the oceans move, and to frame a universal system to measure height anywhere on the planet. Read more at:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8408957.stm

Disinfectants 'train' superbugs to resist antibiotics: Disinfectants could effectively train bacteria to become resistant to antibiotics, research suggests. Scientists know bacteria can become inured to disinfectant, but research increasingly shows the same process may make it resistant to certain drugs. This can occur even with an antibiotic the bacteria has not been exposed to. The latest study, which focused on a bacteria common in hospitals, calls for a rethink of how infections are managed within healthcare settings. Read more at:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8427399.stm

Ears have yet another important function: Minute organs hidden deep within the ear appear to directly alter blood flow to the brain, scientists have revealed. Until now, experts thought the inner ear's job was to control balance alone. But the Harvard Medical School team, working with Nasa, found the balance organs also affect brain blood flow. Read more at:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8268336.stm

[Thanks to John H for the links.]

Hi there everyone,

Just a quick note to say thankyou to all of you who devote precious time to helping our community run and flow with ease and pleasure. This is such a special place to live, and it is truly inspirational living and working together on beautiful Earth. What an exciting year it has been; how the Village has grown and changed!

Merry Christmas, Solstice and Happy New Year!

Heidi Karo

I urge all villagers to please ask their guests and couriers NOT TO SPEED!

I just witnessed a guest and an Australia Post courier doing just that. The courier was going so fast that he missed Olearia Walk and had to do a U-turn. I hailed him down and mentioned to him that there are lots of little ones in this village who have right of way on our roads. Hopefully he will not do that again.

Merry Xmas everyone - Shane Schilder

Don’t forget, there are lots of creative ways to minimise our impact on the planet during Silly Season! Take Christmas lights, for example ... ...



[With thanks to Sharon Ede of Zero Waste SA.]

Local currency trading eases Christmas conscience: Christmas is a time when it is difficult to be green without seeming rather like a curmudgeonly Ebenezer. Greens tell each other not to send cards, not to buy gifts, not to over-indulge. So can we find a way of celebrating that is not offensive to our new consumption ethic? LETS trading and local currency systems can help. Read more at:
http://www.theecologist.org/blogs_and_comments/commentators/Molly_Scott_Cato/383948/
greens_should_revel_in_christmas_not_shun_it.html

Finally, “de-growth” enters the public lexicon: The economic crisis of 2008-09 has actually meant unplanned economic degrowth in Europe, United States, and a number of other countries. A positive side effect has been a small decrease in CO2 emissions, breaking the unsustainable rising trend. Material flows through the economy have also decreased. This brings a new perspective. Economic degrowth can be good for the environment but it must be more socially sustainable. Expect to start hearing this concept more often. Policy makers and others will examine it an International Conference “Economic Degrowth Today” early in the new year. See:
http://www.growthintransition.eu/2009/09/11/degrowth/

Clearing trees felled an ancient civilisation in Peru: The ancient Peruvian Nazca people, famous for creating giant, elaborate lined images on a desert plateau that are visible from space, may have brought about their own destruction by cutting down trees that protected the land they lived on. Surely there’s a message in that! Read more at:
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn18091-clearing-oasis-trees-felled-ancient-peru-civilisation.html

Historic mini ice age took hold of Europe in months when Gulf Stream stalled: Just months - that's how long it took for Europe to be engulfed by an ice age. The scenario, which comes straight out of Hollywood blockbuster The Day After Tomorrow, was revealed by the most precise record of the climate from palaeohistory ever generated - and it has happened again since. Read more at:
http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20427344.800-mini-ice-age-took-hold-of-europe-in-months.html

We’re scraping the bottom of the oil barrel: Why do we persist in investing our energy into developing finite (and ever more polluting) fuel resources instead of working out how make renewable energy more widespread and robust? Eighty-five million barrels. That's how much oil we consume every day. It's a staggering amount - enough to fill over 5400 Olympic swimming pools - and demand is expected to keep on rising, despite the impending supply crunch. Read more at:
http://cruxcatalyst.blogspot.com/2009/12/scraping-bottom-of-barrel.html

And the end of uranium reserves might also be in sight: As the world prepares for the largest investment in nuclear power in decades, owners of uranium mines last week raised the prospect of fuel shortages. To make things worse, the reliability of estimates of the amount of uranium that can be economically mined has also been questioned. Read more at:
http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20427364.500-nuclear-fuel-are-we-heading-for-a-uranium-crunch.html

[Thanks to Cruxcatalyst and New Scientist for the links.]

If you are thinking of lodging an application with the NEC for development of common land, please use the latest version of the Application Procedure and Application Forms (v7) now posted on the NEC Documents page of the Website at:
http://www.aaev.net/management/nec/nec_documents/index.html [Items 4-6 in the list]

If you cover up an in-ground communications box when gardening out on to common land, please be aware that you will be responsible for any extra expense incurred in locating it to connect neighbours’ services or find faults.

John Heij and Andy Coe - for Communications Portfolio, WMG

Monbiot’s commentary on the Copenhagen fiasco: Guardian columnist George Monbiot despairs at the chaotic, disastrous denouement of a chaotic and disastrous climate summit. Read more at:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/dec/18/copenhagen-negotiators-bicker-filibuster-biosphere 

Breaking the taboo on discussion of overpopulation: Many people are too horrified to even consider this topic, and those who do may be vilified as elitist (and worse) merely for daring to raise the issue. But this issue of overpopulation is too important to ignore. It goes to the heart of the quality of life we want for the future - a degraded scrabble for existence or a reasonable standard of living for all. Read more at:
http://cruxcatalyst.blogspot.com/2009/12/breaking-population-taboo.html

The nuclear power tragedy: Guardian columnist and former chair of the UK Sustainable development Commission, Jonathon Porritt, says the idea that a few new nuclear reactors can solve climate change is attractive – and completely unrealistic! After 2 years of reasearch, the commission came to the conclusion that the disbenefits of nuclear power clearly outweigh the benefits. Read more at:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cif-green/2009/oct/20/nuclear-power-reactor-olkiluoto-greenhouse

What Matters Now - Ideas for 2010: Seth Godin has compiled this inspirational free e-book 'What Matters Now', which brings together more than 70 big thinkers who share their ideas and thoughts to think about for the new year ahead. The format is easy to read with illustrated and graphical ideas generally one per page. Download the book (3.6 MB) at:
http://cruxcatalyst.blogspot.com/2009/12/what-matters-now-ideas-for-2010.html

It’s not just Australia that is suffering drought! Once one of the world's wettest places, Cherrapunji in India, is getting up to 20% less rain every year - and suffering water shortages.
Residents say their heavenly abode in the clouds is hotter and drier than ever before - and they blame it on global warming. Read more at:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8378327.stm

Setting the Table: Advice to Government on priority elements of sustainable diets: The UK Sustainable Development Commission has examined the how changes in food consumption patterns could greater facilitate healthy eating and environmentally sustainable food production. This is a 58 page report but there is a good 4-page Executive Summary, including recommendations. Download the paper (418 KB) at:
http://www.sd-commission.org.uk/publications/downloads/Setting_the_Table.pdf

GetUp wants the PM to stop bullying vulnerable Pacific Island nations: You are invited to help send this message:
http://www.getup.org.au/campaign/Copenhagen&id=898

[Thanks to John H, Cruxcatalyst, Zero Carbon Future, CSIRO Library, and GetUp for the links.]

Renewables trounce nuclear in Newspoll! A Newspoll survey commissioned by the Clean Energy Council (CEC) has shown overwhelming public support for the government to focus its support on renewable energy - such as solar and wind - over nuclear power. Given a choice between supporting the development of renewable energy sources and nuclear power, four out of every five people polled favoured the government giving greater priority to the development of renewables. Read more at:
http://www.cleanenergycouncil.org.au/cec/mediaevents/media-releases/December/newspoll-results.htm

Sustainable Development Update (SDU), the journal of global environment - development issues will have a new format from now on as a way of adapting the newsletter to the new ways people use the Internet today. The newsletter will become a continuously updated newsblog (but of course with the possibility to subscribe to monthly email updates). This is more in tune with current web development while also benefiting more from "Web 2.0 functions", like twitter feeds, Youtube channels and blog posts. We hope you like it! The current Issue (5/2009) is available in both formats:
http://sdupdate.org (the News blog)
http://www.albaeco.com/sdu/ (the previous version)

Portrait of the “Noughties” decade: Is it possible to sum up a decade? Last week, BBC News asked readers for suggestions for the words, people, events, objects and cultural highlights which they thought defined the Noughties. The results give a snapshot of who and what has shaped the past 10 years. See:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/8409040.stm

Drinking tea and coffee can prevent diabetes: Tea and coffee drinkers have a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes, a large body of evidence shows. And the protection may not be down to caffeine since decaf coffee has the greatest effect, say researchers in Archives of Internal Medicine. See:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8411605.stm

“Carbon farming” pays off - even in drought! MARTIN Royds calls himself a carbon farmer. Twenty years ago the Braidwood cattle producer decided to develop regenerative farming practices, and in 2007 he was voted local carbon cocky of the year. His winning carbon management practices include having 100% groundcover all the time, using controlled grazing to ensure pastures are never eaten down to the roots, growing trees, and using biological products rather than synthetic fertilisers. Read more at:
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/carbon-farmer-waiting-for-his-payoff/story-e6frg6nf-1225810373145

In a depressing example of perverse policy, a UN board has decided that soya, palm oil and other agrofuel plantations can now receive carbon credits through the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). The agrofuel industry, already boosted by EU and US targets, incentives and subsidies, can now look forward to hundreds of millions from extra subsidies. Vast carbon dioxide emissions from coal power stations in Europe can now be officially ‘offset’ by companies paying for soya plantations in Brazil or palm oil plantations in Indonesia or Thailand, which in turn will cause more deforestation and other ecosystem destruction and thus, also, more climate change. Read more at:
http://cruxcatalyst.blogspot.com/2009/12/c02-offsets-for-destroying-biodiversity.html

“Your governments are lying through their teeth," says US climate researcher Jim Hansen [ex NASA] in a new book. He also says civil resistance remains the only way to combat climate change. Decades of experience with US governments have led Hansen to believe that the political systems in the US and many other democracies are incapable of delivering effective action, because politicians serve the short-term interests of special interest groups with plenty of money to throw around - like the fossil-fuel industry - rather than the long-term welfare of citizens. Read the New Scientist book review at:
http://www.newscientist.com/blogs/culturelab/2009/12/will-you-stand-up-against-climate-disaster.php

Writing in yesterday’s Age Newspaper (16 December) Guardian columnist George Monbiot declares, “The rapacious will not give up without a fight.” If governments don't show some resolve on climate change, they will attack, using the usual tactics of denial, obfuscation and appeals to self-interest. They too are aware that this is a battle to redefine humanity, and they wish to redefine it as a species even more rapacious than it is today! This Age article pulls no punches, unlike so many who claim to be environmentalists. Read more at:
http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/politics/the-rapacious-will-not-give-up-without-a-fight-20091215-kuds.html

World resources map: A country’s economic worth can be measured in more ways than just its GDP and national debt. It is also important to consider the economic potential that lies in the harvesting of the natural resources within its borders. This map shows the top producing countries of each resource, or the proven reserves in the case of oil and natural gas. Click on the map at the link below to enlarge and explore it:
http://www.mint.com/blog/finance-core/mint-map-the-worlds-resources-by-country/

GetUp seeks support for a fair deal in Copenhagen: Climate negotiations are breaking down thanks to disputes between rich countries like Australia and poor countries about the future of the Kyoto protocol and how ambitious our response to the climate crisis should be. Australia needs to be a leader in these negotiations, not a spoiler. Tell this to our negotiators: http://www.getup.org.au/campaign/SaveKyotoSaveADeal

Thank you very much to all those Village knitters who contributed to the beautiful rug for our daughter, Gracie (see picture below).  It is a wonderful gift and fantastic symbol of the community spirit that we eagerly anticipate living amongst.

Beau & Jodie Summer

Hooked on growth? If, like our “yew-beaut” government and their economic advisers, you believe that more growth will solve society’s problems, then a dose of the following three video clips might be in order:
(1) Highlights from growthbuster Dave Gardner's city council campaign, promoting a modern, sustainable economic model for his community rather than continuing to chase perpetual growth, which no longer provides community prosperity:
http://cruxcatalyst.blogspot.com/2009/12/prosperity-campaign.html
(2) Movie preview - “Hooked on Growth”:
http://cruxcatalyst.blogspot.com/2009/12/hooked-on-growth-our-misguided-quest.html
(3) The Greatest Shortcoming of the Human Race ... is our inability to understand the exponential function. This important clip from an Al Bartlett lecture has already had over a million views! So stick with it, even if you feel like you are back in high school maths class - because that's clearly where we all need to be once the implications sink in!
http://cruxcatalyst.blogspot.com/2009/12/greatest-shortcoming-of-human-race.html

The Environmental movement has lost its way – too focused on reducing emissions, and not enough on nature. Obsession with CO2 has distracted environmentalists to the point of losing sight of all the other things they need to do. If we are honest about CO2, there is no window of opportunity. It closed a long time ago, and we may already be beyond the point of no return... Read more at:
http://cruxcatalyst.blogspot.com/2009/12/environmentalists-have-lost-their-way.html

Hanging out for the latest mobile phone or other electronic gizmo? Read this marketing scenario and cringe! With the holiday shopping season officially under way, millions of consumers are racing to their nearest shopping centre to acquire the latest, and therefore most desirable, personal device.
http://cruxcatalyst.blogspot.com/2009/12/new-device-desirable-old-device.html

Eco-light bulbs aren't what they seem! “Save the planet, switch to eco-light bulbs.” So goes the refrain. But are these compact fluoros as bright, long-lasting and energy efficient as is often claimed? Read more at:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/8406923.stm

[Thanks to Cruxcatalyst and John H for the links.]

Cash for carpooling: Washington D.C. ‘s Commuter Connections program has recently launched on a program called “Cash for Carpools” that pays folks who usually commute alone on to either join another car or recruit passengers of their own. The payment is two dollars a day over a 90-day period, giving carpoolers the chance to earn up to $130 over three months. Read more at:
http://cruxcatalyst.blogspot.com/2009/12/cash-for-carpools.html

Spiritual connection with the natural world and the “silent narrative of trees”: At 3.00pm on 13 December 2009, the World Council of Churches has called upon Christians around the world to ring their bells, blow their horns or beat their drums 350 times to alert world decision makers, meeting in Copenhagen, of the need to reduce CO2 levels. This 'bell ringing for climate justice' might signify the beginning of a more vocal, moral and even spiritual re-engagement of churches with the silent voice of nature. Read more at:
http://www.eurekastreet.com.au/article.aspx?aeid=18054

Online Movie - “The Money Fix” - a feature-length documentary exploring our society’s relationship with the almighty dollar: Money is at the intersection of nearly every aspect of modern life. Most of us take the monetary system for granted, but it has a profound and largely misunderstood influence on our lives. The Money Fix examines economic patterning in both the human and the natural worlds, and through this lens we learn how we can empower ourselves by redesigning the lifeblood of the economy at the community level. The film documents three types of alternative money systems, all of which help solve economic problems for the communities in which they operate. See:
http://www.themoneyfix.org/content/video-money-fix

Video on rendering strawbale walls from the Food Forest: It was filmed at one of Lance’s projects at Barabba (with a brief appearance on screen of Tony G!). See:
http://www.youtube.com/user/TheFoodForest#p/u/4/ogkhQZ7k08w

If you hate zucchinis, this is for you - a video clip of the execution of some zucchinis in an old loam pit. Kids may find it entertaining (under parental guidance of course)! See:
http://www.youtube.com/user/TheFoodForest#p/u/3/0aKz30Xkf7o

Martin Waugh’s Liquid Sculpture - Fantastic art photography of water! From the link below, select “Portfolio” then click on any one of the images and from the new page select “Slideshow”:
http://www.liquidsculpture.com/

From Germany comes the “triple zero” housing concept, signifying that the building is energy self-sufficient (zero energy consumed), produces zero emissions, and is made entirely of recyclable materials (zero waste). The most recent addition to the triple-zero series raises the bar for energy efficiency: It produces more energy than it uses. Read more at:
http://www.scientificamerican.com/blog/60-second-science/post.cfm?id=lightweight-triple-zero-house-produ-2009-12-05&sc=DD_20091207

Swedish burger chain says “Eat less meat”! The BBC's Tom Burridge dines out at a Swedish fast-food chain that is trying to discourage people from eating too much meat by publishing the carbon footprint of each item on its menu.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/8395287.stm

Climate Change Debate 1: Radio interview - Alan Jones talks to climate sceptic Lord Christopher Monckton:
http://2gb.com.au/index2.php?option=com_newsmanager&task=view&id=4998

Climate Change Debate 2: Nicholas Stern lectures on climate threats on the ABC Radio National Book Show:
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/bookshow/stories/2009/2764746.htm

Climate Change Debate 3: George Monbiot says “The climate change denial industry is out to dupe the public. And it's working!”
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cif-green/2009/dec/07/climate-change-denial-industry

How to get policy action on climate change? Stop going green! Instead of continuing our faddish and counterproductive emphasis on small, voluntary actions, we should follow the example of Americans during past moral crises and work toward large-scale change. The country's last real moral and social revolution was set in motion by the civil rights movement. And in the 1960s, civil rights activists didn't ask bigoted Southern governors and sheriffs to consider "10 Ways to Go Integrated" at their convenience... Read more at:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/04/AR2009120402605_pf.html

Unlucky for us - its natural to be irrational on climate change: Its just the latest problem that people acknowledge but ignore; and to a psychologist, climate change looks as if it was designed to be ignored. Read more after (enduring a commercial) at:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/04/AR2009120403619_pf.html

[Thanks to Fiona R, Tony G, John H, Vanda R, Jacqui G, Zero Waste SA, Zero Carbon Future Network, and Cruxcatalyst for the links.]

Here’s a preview of the Village Eco Christmas Tree in its place at the Willunga Christmas Tree Festival this past weekend. It comprises a dead tree (no tree had to die for Christmas!) decorated with silver and gold spray and hung with 64 handcrafted pictures of the houses in the Village. Thanks to Annette I and Gillian C, the main organisers, who took the pictures of houses - and were really surprised at how many there were!

The tree is supported in a tub with the caption “Wise Gifts for the World” and containing wrapped boxes labelled as “eco-gifts.” It will be back in the Village for the Christmas Party.

Just a reminder that Vi C and Sue E will be doing mosaics every second Tuesday afternoon from 1pm, starting THIS Tuesday 8 December, and you are welcome to come and join us.

Bring your own project, or we can help beginners.

Just turn up to Sue E’s carport (at 24 Dianella Way) on the days you wish to come.

Another Australian eco-community in the planning stages: Architect Ian Bailey believes it is individuals, not governments, who will lead Australia into a low-carbon environment. He and his partner, designer Annie Georgeson, have taken on the role of driving a sustainable village project, the Chimneys, on the NSW mid-north coast. Comprising 66 lots organised into small clusters, the Chimneys has been designed to demonstrate that a sustainable subdivision can be independent of council's water, sewerage and road systems, recycle all water for reuse on site, generate most of its own energy and contribute to some of its own food needs. Read more at:
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/eco-village-a-model-of-sustainability-in-nsw/story-e6frg8zx-1225804722463 and http://www.camdenhavenecovillage.com.au/


What it looks like when a local authority REALLY gets the idea of ‘Transition’: The town of Monteveglio, near Bologna in Italy has signed up to some serious transition policies to deal with fossil fuel depletion, climate change and sustainable living. Read an English translation of some of their innovative town policies at:
http://cruxcatalyst.blogspot.com/2009/12/what-it-looks-like-when-local-authority.html

Birth control as emissions offsets! Consumers in the developed world are to be offered a radical method of offsetting carbon emissions - by paying for contraception measures in poorer countries to curb the rapidly growing global population. The scheme - set up by an organisation backed by Sir David Attenborough, former diplomat Sir Crispin Tickell and green figureheads such as Jonathon Porritt and James Lovelock - argues that family planning is the most effective way to reduce the likelihood of catastrophic global warming. Birth control will be provided only to those who have no access to it, and only unwanted births would be avoided. Each year, however, an estimated 80 million pregnancies are unwanted. Read more at:
http://cruxcatalyst.blogspot.com/2009/12/rich-nations-to-offset-emissions-with.html

Findhorn Foundation’s Findhorn Community News:
http://www.findhorn.org/onlinecommunity/news/

Natural Earth Burial - a way of being green to the very end! If you’ve ever been attracted to the idea of a natural burial or “green” funeral as it’s called, you might be interested to know that you’re not alone! Research has shown that between 30 per cent and 40 per cent of people will opt for a green funeral if appropriate products and services are available at the time of need. Read more at:
http://www.grownups.co.nz/read/lifestyle/family/green-to-the-very-end

Failure of climate talks at Copenhagen may not be a disaster. In fact it might catalyse the initiation of improved policies. James Hansen, the scientist who convinced the world to take notice of the looming danger of global warming says the whole approach is so fundamentally wrong that it would better to reassess the situation and start again from scratch. He is vehemently opposed to the carbon market schemes in which permits to pollute are bought and sold. Read more at:
http://cruxcatalyst.blogspot.com/2009/12/copenhagen-climate-change-talks-must.html

Subscribe to updates from Copenhagen from the GetUp team, who will be working to make sure our government's policy matches it's rhetoric, and to update you with what goes on behind the scenes. Sign up to receive regular updates, and check the GetUp handy factsheet: http://www.getup.org.au/campaign/BecomeAClimateCop

Australians now have the world’s largest homes - a dubious honour...! Australia has overtaken the United States, the heartland of the McMansion, to boast the world's largest homes, according to a report by the Commonwealth Bank of Australia. Research commissioned by the bank's broking arm, CommSec, shows the Australian house has grown on average by 10 percent in the past decade to 214.6 square meters (2,310 sq ft) - nearly three times the size of the average British house. Read more at:
http://cruxcatalyst.blogspot.com/2009/12/australians-have-worlds-biggest-homes.html

Worry Only About the Problems in Your Circle of Influence. For creative people especially, passionate engagement makes it difficult to worry selectively. Why? The more passionate you are, the more protective and perfection-driven you become. Any concern becomes exaggerated, based on your beautiful vision being obstructed. Regardless of whether or not you have influence, you will want to tackle every problem. But this tendency is dangerous. Your energy becomes fractured as you start to obsess over situations beyond your control and, ultimately, your ideas and actions suffer. Read more at:
http://cruxcatalyst.blogspot.com/2009/12/worry-only-about-problems-in-your.html

Have you ever wondered about the why and how of bird songs? If so, here are some interesting observations from recent research:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/992538.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7725432.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8246424.stm

[Thanks to Vanda R, John H, Cruxcatalyst, and GetUp for the links.]

New - from the makers of the brilliant online short film, “The Story of Stuff” - their latest free video offering that gives a great explanation of the pitfalls of the Cap & Trade approach to dealing with CO2 emissions, soon to be debated in Copenhagen.  Please watch and pass along the link to friends and family:
http://www.storyofstuff.com/capandtrade/

Dance For The Climate - ‘Do Your Own Dance’: In August this year over 10,000 people danced for the climate on the Ostend Beach in Belgium. By joining this global movement and adding your own dance video to this site, you make your own statement that we have to act now on climate change. Check it out at:
http://www.dancefortheclimate.org
[This clip was made by a friend of ours and we would like to promote it all over the world... Regards - Tom and Hilde D]

Digital Coin - A new concept for virtual money from Paul Grignon, using emerging technologies to create "unique digital objects" that can be used like coins. Could this act like a ‘virtual LETS system’ - a new take on self-issued credit? The site gives links to resource materials in animation and PDF format. See:
http://www.digitalcoin.info/

Sharing - Reimagining the Way We Do Business: Why buy when you can share?...After all each item shared is an item not created, and that is the greenest item of all. This is a long term trend, and one that is not going away. All the systemic pressures driving it are only going to increase. We are on the cusp of shifting into a post consumption economy. See:
http://cruxcatalyst.blogspot.com/2009/12/sharing-reimagining-way-we-do-business.html

Sand Animation Storytelling: Amazing! The winner of Ukraine's Got Talent was a young Ukrainian girl, Kseniya Simonova, who tells an entire story by pushing sand around on a table. She uses nothing but sand and her hands to create these graphic storytelling images. [Best to have sound if possible.] See:
http://cruxcatalyst.blogspot.com/2009/11/sand-animation-storytelling.html

Incredible Edible - Britain's Greenest Town: 'It's an ordinary small town in England, but its residents claim they've discovered the secret that could save the planet. In under two years, Todmorden has transformed the way it produces its food and the way residents think about the environment. Compared with 18 months ago, a third more townspeople now grow their own veg; almost seven in 10 now buy local produce regularly, and 15 times as many people are keeping chickens. Read more at:
http://cruxcatalyst.blogspot.com/2009/11/incredible-edible-britains-greenest.html

Land Grabbing & The Global Food Crisis - a slideshow from GRAIN - with data on the acquisition by corporations or states of large areas of farmland in another country and on a long-term basis for the production of basic foods that will then be exported. “Farming abroad” is now seen as new food supply strategy by import-dependent governments, and farmland is now seen as a new source of profits by the finance industry (also available as a PDF or Powerpoint). See:
http://cruxcatalyst.blogspot.com/2009/12/land-grabbing-global-food-crisis.html

The Fallacy of climate activism - a riveting, if depressing read from Adam Sacks!
Climate activists are obsessed with greenhouse-gas emissions and concentrations.  Since global climate disruption is an effect of greenhouse gases, and a disastrous one, this is understandable.  But it is also a mistake. Global warming is merely a symptom, not a cause. The root cause, the source of the symptoms, is 300 years of our relentlessly exploitative, extractive, and exponentially growing technoculture, against the background of ten millennia of hierarchical and colonial civilizations. The second mistake is our stubborn unwillingness to understand that the battle against greenhouse-gas emissions, as we have currently framed it, is absolutely over and we have lost. We have to tell the truth and say so! Read more at:
http://www.grist.org/article/2009-08-23-the-fallacy-of-climate-activism

Somerville Ecovillage, Perth - is back in sales mode after a long break during the recent adverse financial climate. Check out their website at:
http://www.somervilleecovillage.com.au/

As any teenager knows, we Perform Best When No One Tells Us What To Do!
This insight is relevant to community / employee engagement / behaviour change... and maybe even to life in our Village!!!! How can we get the best out of employees, and volunteers? Let them do whatever they want! And furthermore, don't offer incentives. Sound counter-intuitive? Not if you look at what research has shown regarding the economics of motivation. Read more at:
http://cruxcatalyst.blogspot.com/2009/12/we-perform-best-when-no-one-tells-us.html

[Thanks to Beau S, Tom & Hilde D, Vanda R, Somerville Ecovillage, Zero Carbon Network and Opaleye for the links.]