Today is World Environment Day. It’s a day to take positive action for the environment. In the Inner West we are installing solar, tending to our food gardens, reducing plastic waste, learning how to repair and upcycle broken items, and so much more. All these big and small actions help reduce our impact on the earth and decrease carbon emissions.
These are some of the actions members of our community are taking to create a Sustainable Inner West:
-
- We are hand weeding invasive grasses out, allowing space and light for native groundcovers and sedges to grow from the existing seed bank. Integrating natural processes to manage land in a restorative and regenerative way not only provides assisted growth of these rare species, but a living window into the rich biodiversity that existed here, pre-European invasion and colonisation, when humans co-evolved with nature for sustainable futures. What do you do in your work or spare time that benefits nature? I work as a Senior Natural Areas and Contracts Officer, currently co-managing council’s 20Ha of urban land for increased biodiversity and ecological outcomes. Council manages specialised bush regeneration contractors and supports the dedicated work of the Mudcrabs and other community volunteers throughout our natural area sites and I assist them to maintain connection to local environments and achieve their grassroots goals. We care for and cultivate these natural areas which may appear a little wild or “overgrown” to the untrained eye, but are in fact important wildlife refuges and habitat havens, and unique and thriving eco-systems. What’s one action that someone could take in their own lives to care for nature? Spend time observing the natural process of things. We are nature and are obliged to have stewardship for the other animals and plants that are integral to a healthy ecological society. If someone could take time and reflect they may find practical approaches to living within their own ecological limits.
-
- Sue cycles to work. Choosing not to drive reduces Sue’s carbon emissions while cycling keeps her fit and healthy.
-
- Jean talks to people about climate change. As a lead organiser of School Strike for Climate Jean is changing the conversation around climate change and motivating young people to get involved.
-
- Katrina feeds her worm farm with food scraps. Worm farming and composting reduces the amount of food waste going to landfill, and creates a nutrient rich product to improve your soil quality.
-
- Andrea attended a jewellery upcycling workshop. Upcycling broken jewellery, ripped clothes, damaged furniture etc gives new life to beloved pieces and prevents them from going to landfill.
-
- Brigid attended a waste free kitchen workshop. On average Australians throw away 20% of the food they buy, but learning how to pickle and preserve is one way to reduce food waste.
-
- Lachlan and Georgina inspire their school community with their Food Scrap Friday program. Each Friday families drop off the food waste they’ve collected that week for composting in the community garden.
-
- Inner West Council installed solar panels on Petersham Town Hall. Funded by a NSW Government grant through the ‘Heritage Near Me’ Program this is part of Council’s commitment to becoming a Carbon Neutral Council.
What action will you take today to be part of a Sustainable Inner West? Let us know via Facebook.