YOUTH DECIDE @ TEDucation

Watch stuff (inspiring interesting and incredible videos)
Discuss stuff (conversations based around ideas brought up in the videos)
Eat stuff (everyone brings some food to share)
Learn Stuff (by meeting like-minded Perthians and connecting with amazing ideas)
AND VOTE!!! (as part of a nation-wide vote on Australia’s approach to mitigating climate change)

What: YOUTH DECIDE @ TEDucation
Where: The Theatre at SCITECH DISCOVERY CENTRE, City West (go through the main City West entrance and up to the second floor)
When: Tuesday, September 15th, 6.00pm
Bring:
1. Food to share (preferably wholesome, healthy food). Not too much. Just enough for one person, then we'll all share.
2. A pen and notepad
3. Anyone else who you think would be interested in watching riveting talks from people sharing the world's most incredible ideas
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AND IT'S FREE!!!
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Follow this link to RSVP
TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design. It started out (in 1984) as a conference bringing together people from those three worlds.

Please see the following facebook events page for more information about the YOUTH DECIDE @ TEDucation evening:

Sustainable September

Sustainable September demonstrates sustainability in action in WA, and celebrates the people who are creating a just and sustainable future, in community, business, government, industry and education.

Check the 2009 Highlights here.

Use fake trees to cut carbon, experts say

Researchers say that at a cost of almost $25,000, a single artificial tree could absorb the amount of CO2 produced by 20 cars.

They look like giant fly swatters standing about 12 metres tall, absorbing the carbon dioxide from the air that floats by in the breeze.
Read article

Sowing sustainable seeds of change

STREET lights triggered by pedestrian movement; giant shade umbrellas that move with the sun; driverless transport pods to whisk commuters around.

It could be a list of props from the Star Wars set, but these unlikely gadgets will soon take their place in a real city centre, designed by Sydney-based German architect Chris Bosse.

Bosse and his multinational practice LAVA beat several hundred applicants to design the heart of the world's first carbon-neutral, waste-free city, Masdar, in the United Arab Emirates.
Read article

Perth Green Drinks 8 September

Check for more information www.greendrinks.org

Finally a nice helmet for cyclists!

Commissioned by the city of New York, the NYC Bike Helmet is designed with every rider, every season and a greener environment in mind. The modular system has a protective polystyrene inner shell and a soft fabric outer cover with integrated straps. Each owner can customize and personalize the outer cover, which easily separates from the protective shell for better storage and cleaning.

In stores next summer: ice cream that doesn't melt

Unilever and Nestlé are developing proteins and fungi to improve the properties of ice cream.

These days ice cream and popsicles come equipped with all sorts of innovative ingredients. Manufacturers Nestlé and Unilever are investing millions to improve their treats with more fruit and less fat, but first they are making them leak-proof.
Read article

Were we really waiting for this kind of stuff???

Do you like to volunteer the Great Cane Toad Muster?

JOIN the volunteer army working to stop destructive cane toads entering Western Australia from September to October.

More than 100 volunteers have already stepped forward this year in the annual mustering effort to stop the dreaded cane toad from entering the state.

In its biggest gathering in four years, the Stop the Toad Foundation’s Great Cane Toad Muster has attracted participants who will give their time and energy in the attempt to prevent the noxious pest from entering the tourist and agricultural town of Kununurra, only 40kms from the Northern Territory border.
Read article

The 2009 Great Toad Muster runs from 12th September until 12th October. If you would like to learn more about becoming a Muster volunteer, contact STTF’s campaign manager Kim Hands by email or 0400130397.

Cadbury announces Fairtrade move for chocolates in 2010

Cadbury Australia today announced plans for its Dairy Milk range to achieve Fairtrade certification by Easter 2010.

The move will more than triple the amount of Fairtrade product sold throughout Australia and will support cocoa farmers and communities in Ghana, as well as open up opportunities for other cocoa growers around the world.
Read article

I love chocolate and I love fair trade for the whole world. But who is going to check if their PLANS are going to go ahead by Easter next year? Or is this just a media release for attention?
I will be checking all Easter chocolate from Cadbury on the fairtrade sign!

Artists weave ghost net awareness message

Indigenous artists from across Cape York in far north Queensland have joined forces to help protect the environment.

The Carpentaria Ghost Net Program has brought artists together, to weave thousands of metres of discarded fishing nets.

The program sees nets found on beaches in the region collected and turned into sculptures.

Aurukun artist Gina Allain says ghost nets are damaging the cape.

"They're killing turtles, crocodiles, they just got photos at Aurukun when they were collecting ghost nets ... of a huge crocodile that had been caught in the nets for months so that it was totally bloated and ... wrapped in the nets," she said.

She says the weaving project a great way to raise awareness.

"They wanted to find ways of making it useful, because there is so much of it and to create awareness to the public of the fact that there's these great big nets - some are four kilometres long, and when they fold them up they are the size of a regular house," she said.
ABC News

Councils threatens $50,000 fine on Ben Elton over solar panels

INTERNATIONAL comedian Ben Elton has been threatened with a $50,000 fine - for installing energy-saving solar panels on his North Fremantle roof.

He has been forced to submit a retrospective planning application to prevent legal action against him -- and $5000-a-day penalties until they are removed.

But things are not looking good for the English-born, best-selling author.

A heritage report compiled for Fremantle City Council and leaked to The Sunday Times has rejected most of the black-glass squares that would power his two-storey brick and iron home. It says they highly detract from the historical character of the circa 1900s heritage-listed property and streetscape.
Read article

Update 3 Sept. Ben Elton wins fight to keep solar panel

Rain

During winter I am regularly watching the Water Corporation's website to see how much rainfall we've had in Perth so far.

Nearly half of the water that supplies Perth comes from dams in the Darling Range and the South West of the State. The total capacity of our Perth and South West dams is 622 gigalitres. Currently the combined storage is 256.62 gigalitres, 41.3% of their total capacity.

Update 21 Aug: Recent rain fills Perth dams

Home Project

If you liked the Earth from above photo exhibition last year you will love this documentary. This is only the trailer, you need some patience to download the full version, which was launched worldwide on 5 June, as it's the best quality I've seen so far, but it's worth every minute!

In 200,000 years on Earth, humanity has upset the balance of the planet, established by nearly four billion years of evolution. The price to pay is high, but it's too late to be a pessimist: humanity has barely ten years to reverse the trend, become aware of the full extent of its spoliation of the Earth's riches and change its patterns of consumption.

Home is a non-profit film. HOME has been made for you : share it! And act for the planet.

Yann Arthus-Bertrand
HOME official website

The Bathroom Reinvented

Virginia Gardiner's development of a low-cost, low-impact, and highly sanitary loo, with the hope of transforming the (on average) two-pounds-per-person-per-day of human waste into a usable commodity. And her toilet made out of poo...

The power and beauty of organic design

Get inspired by Ross Lovegrove

I've seen this video a few years back but as a friend send me a link for biomimicry I thought I have a look again and share it with you!

SLF invited to United Nations Leadership Forum on Climate Change

Check them out here

Design is the problem

I've just finished the book Design is the problem by Nathan Shedroff lend to me by one of my Sustainable Design students from last semester.

I think it's a good book describing a lot of guidelines to show designers different sustainable aspects and how to use them during the design and development stage. It's not really an easy read but it comes with lots of examples and (online) resources.

This PDF file is worthwhile to have a look at, it has lots of examples from the book presented by Nathan himself.

Or read the interview with Nathan Shedroff, 31 March 2009, on Core77

Invention Overload! The 2009 James Dyson Award

That little sliver of Dr. Bronner's too small to use? Soap-Saving-Soap is the rescue. I love this idea!

See a slideshow of other good ideas at Treehugger.

Eden project

Yesterday evening I was at the DIA meeting in Nedlands where Mike Dixon was talking about his trip to the UK and the visit to the Eden Project.

So I got a bit curious as I understood it was build in an old clay pit since the millenium and supposed to be a sustainable greenhouse set up as a theme park.

But visiting the website they mention it's more than a green theme park.

Eden takes people on a journey that celebrates the value of plants to humankind. They aim to inspire people to sustain the things that sustain them.

The programme of work in this area ranges from educational projects with schools, the exploration of new technologies for a low carbon world, research projects, climate-related events, conferences and training sessions and public events such as launching the first ever Green Car Show.

CDs versus USB flash drives

Which portable data storage device is greener?

Just what is the most environmentally responsible way to save your files?

Is it the older and bulkier CD or the newer, smaller USB flash drive (aka thumb drive, keychain drive, jump drive, pen drive and USB stick)?
Read it here

ADU (Australian Design Unit) launches

Part magazine, part bulletin, part business resource, ADU is a publication and archive about design and creativity published to encourage the formation of a new community of designers — one that is confident and successful in business, adventurous and free-thinking, informed and generous with knowledge, and able to reflect with intelligence on the impact of its work.

ADU is an independent yet strongly collaborative voice within the design sector with a broad network that can connect designers from across the country to the resources they need.

news room: a listing of the latest competitions, grants, opportunities, residencies and workshops
interviews/features: features and interviews posted monthly and centred on creative people with something to say
creative entrepreneur: structured advice, tools and business news from around the world
tool kit: access to free business tools to assist the day to day running of a creative business (example contracts and more)
the springboard project: an initiative built on mentorship, business workshops, and an active design community

While anchored online, ADU is also a vehicle for workshops, forums and exhibitions produced to encourage discourse and develop skills around design, creativity, entrepreneurship and ideas. ADU collaborates with design institutions and existing initiatives to enable Australian designers to develop new markets at home and abroad.
Click here to explore ADU, a joint venture between Parcel and Studio Propeller.

South Freo Sustainability Experience - 22 August

You're invited to a rather awesome hands-on sustainability experience put together by sustainability-gurus-but-not-hippies Tim Darby and Shani Graham of The Painted Fish Eco B&B in South Fremantle.

It's the perfect learning experience for anyone interested in starting a veggie garden, living more sustainably and meeting like minded people. Check out the program below and register ASAP if you're interested because there are limited spots.

WHEN: Saturday, August 22nd
WHERE: 21 Hulbert Street, South Fremantle

PROGRAM
10am - 12pm: Sustainable House Tour of The Painted Fish and Number 21 Hulbert Street
Learn about passive solar design, water harvesting, and making your own power. Lots of ideas for your own place.

12pm - 1pm: Shared Lunch:
Bring something to share and your own crockery. Hot water and home made lemon cordial supplied

1pm - 3pm: Gardening Workshop and Hands-on Session
Join us to help expand the Hulbert Street Guerilla Garden
Learn how to :
- make a raised bed from old bits of tin
- create a no dig garden
- make great compost

3pm - 5pm: Cuppas, drinks, chat and fun with the residents of Hulbert Street.
And help us prepare for the 2009 Hulbert Street Sustainability Fiesta - Growing Community

CLICK THIS LINK TO REGISTER ONLINE

PLEASE BRING:
• Clothes suitable for getting "filthed-up".
• Food to share for lunch and your own crockery.
• Problems or questions you've got from your own gardening and sustainability initiatives.

Better get in before the tigers do,

Tim
(Youth Tree Project)

Book clothes online to eliminate heavy luggage

TRAVELLERS will be able to hire clothes for their holiday instead of lugging heavy luggage to the airport in a new service to be launched in Australia next year.

Under the new concept, people will be able to book the clothes they want to wear online before they embark on their trip, and the items will be waiting in their hotel room when they arrive.
Read article

Enter the Eco T-Shirt Design Challenge!

More info here.

The world according Monsanto / De wereld volgens Monsanto

This is a Belgian documentary of the research from Marie-Monique Robin in the US company Monsanto which is specialised in agriculture and biotechnology, genetic manipulation and is trying to conquer the world to make all countries dependable on their patented seeds which only grow with their pesticides and therefore to control worldwide food production.

It's all a bit scary as Australia is one of the countries who works with Monsanto seeds and pesticides.

This is the English version of the documentary, it's a bit shorter so I don't know what has been left out.

Crowded planet: is Earth's population getting too large?

As websites go, World Clock - created by media group Poodwaddle - is a compelling piece of work.

Click on it and a colour chart displays our planet's vital signs: human birth rates, death rates, disease levels and a host of other measurements.

The top line is the most dramatic, however. It shows that Earth is now inhabited by more than 6,700,000,000 people and that number continues to rise at a staggering rate.

Watch the site and its whirling digits. After a minute the population figure rises by 145, an increase of more than two people per second.

Australia's population now stands at 21.5 million and by 2050 is expected to reach around 33 million .... The question is: can Australia take this population jump ....
Read article

Future perfect - Designing for tomorrow

This is an inspirational talk that Richard Seymour gave at Coventry University about the challenges and responsibilities of designers in the future.

Win the trip of a lifetime

Fancy an all expenses paid trip from Sydney to Tokyo and help save the planet into the bargain?

We are looking for a member of the general public to join the Australian Lifeline film-maker team. No film experience needed, you just have to be fit, can take 13 months off and have nothing we should worry about.

The winner will be selected by a jury in August 2009.

Please send in a photo and 300 word synopsis on who you are and why you want to go on the Lifeline to competition@thelifeline.tv.

For further information please click here

10 days to enter for Bombay Saphire Design Award

Closing date: 15 August 2009
Bombay Sapphire Sydney

Australia's richest and most prestigious Design Award - The Bombay Sapphire Design Discovery Award, is now calling for entries for their 2009 competion.

First prize is a trip to Milan to attend the Salone del Mobile in April 2010.
Enter here

Design – GM Holden Co-operative Student Ppogram 2010

GM Holden Design is one of the most advanced automotive studios in the world, designing and developing product, not only for Australia but the world market. We are currently looking for highly motivated and creative undergraduate students in the areas of:

• Creative Design
• Colour & Trim
• Digital Sculpting
• Design Appearance Quality
• Visualisation

Located at GM Holden’s head office in Port Melbourne, these 12-month full-time positions will commence in January 2010.

Applications are open until 31st August 2009.

Please visit www.holden.com.au/careers for full details on program eligibility and how to apply.

Watch the video on that website as it shows how people work at Holden, also the design department!

The Age of Stupid

On the evening of Weds 19th August, A-list celebs will arrive at both the Sydney Theatre in, er, Sydney, and at a zero-waste tent in central Auckland (kindly hosted by Oxfam and Greenpeace). The guests will come by bicycle, solar car, rickshaw, feet, horse or electric car, before braving the cameras on the green carpet.

Meanwhile, about 10,000 people will be watching the events unfold live at more than 40 local cinemas. (Sorry to say that almost all of these are in Australia, as New Zealand cinemas do not yet have the satellite technology to get the live link. Meaning only the Sylvia Park cinema in Auckland will actually be watching live event. Get in there quick, keen Kiwis.)

Following the movie, there will be a Q&A with the Oscar-nominated star of the film, Pete Postlethwaite (In The Name of the Father, Brassed Off) and the director, er, me, Franny Armstrong (McLibel, Drowned Out) in Sydney. We will be joined by a couple more people who haven't quite confirmed yet so we're not allowed to tell you who they are - plus an Aussie explorer who's on a Greenpeace boat in the Arctic who will hopefully be joining us live via satellite - and then there's the producer, Lizzie Gillett, who will be satellite-ing in from the Auckland tent. Linking up the two countries with low-carbon technology! Holding hands to stop climate change! Something like that!
The age of stupid

Get involved

There's an exciting, practical plan to enable the mass switch to electric cars in Australia, starting in 2012.

Better Place is rolling out the infrastructure and services that will make it easy, affordable and convenient for Australian motorists to make the switch to renewable energy powered electric vehicles.
More info and movie click here