Blogger Don Arthur has coined a new term for a rising segment of society - the “Post-Materialist Consumer” or POMER for short. These folks have bought into the notion that unfettered consumerism and constant demands for “stuff” do not bring happiness and are damaging to the environment. The paradox is that they are earning and spending as much if not more than many of the consumerist souls they so earnestly criticise. How can this be?

They are concerned, even anxious, about doing all the right things for the right reasons, but find their expenditures ratcheting up as a result. How does it happen? The three main areas that contribute are:

1. Choosing a home location to minimise commuting and buy time for themselves
2. Buying services (e.g., organic foods, farmers market produce, fair-trade products, etc)
3. Buying “moral necessities” that make them feel they are making the family safe and sheltered (e.g., heavier car with multiple airbags)

Listen to Don Arthur in an interview clip on Radio National’s Counterpoint program of Monday 22 June: http://www.abc.net.au/rn/counterpoint/default.htm

[Thanks to Malcolm and Judy Dispain for the link.]

For an awe-inspiring look at our beautiful blue planet, this online movie by Yann Arthus-Bertrand is tops! a combination of satellite and aerial photography shows us in incredible beauty just what it is we have to lose if we do not learn fast to respect our only “Home”. Be sure to watch it if you have broadband download capability on your computer:
http://www.home-2009.com/us/index.html
OR http://www.youtube.com/homeproject

“The Great Disruption” by Paul Gilding is a 'must listen / must read'. Best exposition I've heard. See links below:
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/backgroundbriefing/ [Sunday 14 June 2009]
http://paulgilding.com/writing/scream-crash-boom-2

Paul Gilding has been an activist for sustainability for 35 years, working for NGOs, business and government. He explains why physics and biology have determined that our current model for economic growth is finished, and how the human race will face its biggest challenge ever.

Cheers??? - Vanda R

Here’s a really good book - of special interest if you are just joining the Village and want to get into growing your own food one step at a time:

One Magic Square: Grow your own food on one square metre

By Lolo Houbein (2008) published by Wakefield Press

One Magic Square shows how, with a ten-minute effort, you can start your own productive food garden on a single square metre. By following these plot designs you can keep your labour pleasurable as your self-sufficiency increases. Take control of your own fresh food supply! Food gardening is the most intelligent adult endeavour on earth – Lolo Houbein, a resident of the Adelaide Hills, gives lots of relevant information for our region, shows you how to do it, and why you should. See: http://www.wakefieldpress.com.au/books/onemagicsquare.html

It’s on our Library interest list for purchase but, in the meantime, you might like to get a copy. It is almost sure to become an ongoing valuable reference.

[Thanks to Sue E for the alert.]

It is a myth that native plants do not need maintenance and now is a great time to prune.  Pruning encourages plants to grow into a more dense form that is both more attractive and provides a greater windbreak.  If the plants are small, pinch out the new growing tips much as a kangaroo would - this encourages side shoots to develop.  In an older plant – cut out any dead stems, and cut back new growth by around a 1/3, and if it is a flowering plant - wait until flowering has ended. The ATTACHED photos show the difference between village plants that have been pruned lightly since planting and those that have grown leggy.

Jenni McGlennon
Pruning Natives