[ANUgreen.announce] SLC Newsletter

Thu Mar 20 09:48:35 EST 2014

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Sustainability Learning Community Newsletter

In this issue

·     From the coordinator

·       Upcoming events

·       Study and experiences

·       News from Fossil Free ANU

·       Additional Links

From the coordinator

Hey everyone,

We've got lots of great sustainability events coming up in the next couple of weeks. Earth Hour is on March 29, and ANU is planning one of the biggest and best events yet! There are lots of opportunities coming up to volunteer with ANUgreen, and the very exciting IARU Internship has just opened for applications! The IARU Sustainability Internship is an opportunity for ANU students to go overseas to work in a university sustainability office at places like Yale, Oxford, and Cambridge. Read on to find out how to apply and to hear about more fun things coming up!

Odette Shenfield

Sustainability Learning Community Coordinator

slc at anu.edu.au<mailto:slc at anu.edu.au>

Upcoming events

 1)    You Are Here presents Neon Nightrider

When: Friday March 19 (tomorrow), 7pm

Where: Lake Burley Griffin

What: Join You Are Here at dusk on the banks of Lake Burley Griffin, for an incandescent community bike ride.

As the sun sets, bring yourself and your bike (and your friends), covered in as much illumination as you can handle and become part of the glowing cavalcade that will stream from bridge to bridge.

For more information, see the event's Facebook page<https://www.facebook.com/events/1423580657884887/1433081140268172/?notif_t=plan_mall_activity>.

2)    Environment Careers Lunch

When: Postponed to Thursday 20 March, 12pm

Where: Frank Fenner Seminar Room, Fenner School

What: Studying environmental science? Or just want to work in the environment sector? Do you have questions about the jump from university into the workforce?

Come along to a FREE LUNCH with recent ANU environment graduates who are now employed, in the environment sector and elsewhere.

Find out more here<https://www.facebook.com/events/684230151623863/?ref=2&ref_dashboard_filter=upcomin>.

3)    Harvest Festival

When: Saturday 22 March 12pm-4pm

Where: Canberra Environment Centre, Corner of Lennox Crossing and Lawson Crescent, Acton Peninsula, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2600

What: Join the Canberra Environment Centre for the 6th annual Harvest Festival!

There will be gourmet, organic food made entirely from local produce while local producers showcase their harvest, and community organisations conduct sustainable living workshops.

This year we will also have a pop-up wine bar selling local, organic wine. The Chris Harland Blues Band, The Burley Griffin and Brother Be will also be performing throughout the day.

More information here<https://www.facebook.com/events/534523003328638/?fref=ts>.

4)    ANUgreen Transport Commuter Audit

When: Tuesday 25 March 8-9.30am

Where: ANU campus

What: ANUgreen is recruiting volunteers to audit transport flows through campus and to tracchanges in mode choice over time.

Volunteers will be given a free Dendy movie ticket in return. No experience required.

Please RSVP by Fri 21 Mar. RSVP to transport at anu.edu.au<mailto:transport at anu.edu.au>

5)    Public Lecture: What is land? Assembling a resource for global investments

When: Tuesday 25 March, 12.30pm

Where: Miller Theatre, Level 1, Old Canberra House Building 73, Lennox Crossing, ANU

What: Public lecture with Professor Tania Murray Li, Department of Anthropology, University of Toronto.  The so-called global land rush has drawn new attention to land, its uses and value. But land is a strange object. Although it is often treated as a thing and sometimes as a commodity, it isn't like a mat: you can't roll it up and take it away. To turn it to productive use requires regimes of exclusion that distinguish legitimate from illegitimate uses and users, and inscribe boundaries through devices such as fences, title deeds, laws, zones, regulations, and landmarks.

Find flyers, registration, and complete event details athttps://crawford.anu.edu.au/events/3646/what-land-assembling-resource-global-investments

6)     Stranded Down Under - are fossil fuels bankrupting Australia financially and ecologically?

When: Tuesday 25 March, 6-7.30pm

Where: Coombs Lecture Theatre, HC Coombs Building, [Building 8a], Fellows Road

What: Public lecture with Ben Caledcott, founder of Oxford University's Stranded Assets Programme and author of the groundbreaking report Stranded Down Under? Environment-related factors changing China's demand for coal and what this means for Australian coal assets. Ben will discuss the ramifications of Australia's fossil fuel addiction and how we can kick our nation's dirtiest habit. More information available here<http://regnet.anu.edu.au/events/stranded-down-under-are-fossil-fuels-bankrupting-australia-financially-and-ecologically>.

Ben will also be speaking at 12.30pm on the same day at the Crawford School of Public Policy, more information here<https://crawford.anu.edu.au/events/3667/stranded-assets-coal-investment-australia-compatible-global-demand-trends>.

350 is also organising a public gathering outside the Legislative Assembly with Ben Caldecott on Thursday 27 March. For more information see the event page<http://act.350.org/signup/act_divestment_rally/>.

7)    Building a Frog-Friendly Habitat

When: Tuesday 25 March, 6-8pm

Where: Canberra Environment Centre, Corner of Lennox Crossing and Lawson Crescent

What: Turn your backyard into a frog haven!

Having problems with slugs, snails and other pests in your garden? Want to boost the biodiversity of your garden and create a habitat for local wildlife?

Learn how to build a beautiful backyard that provides refuge for some of our most fascinating wildlife – frogs!  This workshop will cover all that you need to know to start turning your patch into a great frog habitat.

8)    AYCC Film Night & Climate Science 101

When: Friday 28 March, 5.30pm

Where: The Tank, Haydon Allen Building

What: Are you worried about climate change but want to understand the science better? This is the night for you!

AYCC will be running a training on basic climate science and then enjoying some delicious food while watching Finding Nemo. Bring along a comfy cushion to sit on!

9)    ANU Earth Hour

When: Saturday 29 March, 6.30-9.30pm

Where: Chifley Meadows, the Australian National University

What: In its 7th year running, ANUgreen's Earth Hour celebrations have been labelled by Earth Hour Australia as having "set the standard for cool Earth Hour events".

On Saturday 29th March, join the ANU and Canberra community for Earth Hour to celebrate our commitment to environmental issues and action against climate change. This year, the Earth Hour Australia theme is "switch off for the reef".

The live event will kick off at 6:30pm with musical performances by Ecopella, Warren Saunders (traditional Aboriginal Performance) and the Brass Knuckle Brass Band. At 8:20pm, the Vice Chancellor Prof. Ian Young will make a speech and countdown to lights out at 8:30pm. After dark, there will be a finale performance by fire twirlers The Fireflies and West African drummers Drum Assault.

There will be a FREE BBQ all night (until food runs out) and there will be food stalls by International Student Societies.

PLUS the ANU Black Hole Society will be running free stargazing on Fellows Oval from dusk.

Bring a picnic blanket, friends & family and have a great night!

10)    Creative Arts Learning Community (CALC) and SLC Sustainability Easter Art Project

When: Saturday 5 April 10am- 2pm

Where: ANU SLC Organic Garden, next to the Canberra Environment Centre at the junction between Lawson Crescent and Lennox Crossing

What: CALC, SLC and the Organic Garden invite you to an Easter art workshop. We will be decorating eggs from the chickens at the garden, as well as having an egg hunt. Come down for a lovely morning of art, gardening and great company!

11) Sullivans Creek Cleanup (10-11.30am Wed 9th April)

When: Wednesday 9 April, 10-11.30am

Where: Sullivans Creek

What: Do your bit for your campus and help ANUgreen clean up Sullivans Creek during National Volunteer Week.

Volunteers will be given a free Dendy movie ticket in return. Gloves and litter picks will be provided.

Please RSVP by Mon 7th Apr. RSVP to anugreen at anu.edu.au<mailto:anugreen at anu.edu.au>

12)    ANUgreen Commuter Audit

ANUgreen is running a staff and student transport survey at the moment and would really appreciate your input. The survey feedback will contribute to a number of initiatives we are reviewing and planning at the moment.

The survey outlines and seeks feedback on a few sustainable transport schemes which are being considered for the campus, including:

·        A carshare scheme

·        A campus bike share; and

·        A public transport incentive program

Complete the survey by 29 March and you will go in the running to win one of 10 Dendy double movie vouchers.

Complete the survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/9QY37ZY.

13) Regular ANU SLC Organic Garden Working Bees

When: Saturdays 10am-12pm, Tuesdays 4pm-6pm

Where: The junction between Lawson Cresent and Lennox Crossing, next to the Canberra Environment Centre and the Recyclery.

What: Come down to the wonderful ANU Organic Garden! Volunteers are welcome to take home some produce form the garden, as well a share of eggs from the chickens. All welcome, and no gardening experience is required since everyone is there to learn!

14) Regular Rooftop Garden Working Bees

When; Saturdays 11am-1pm

Where: ANU Rooftop Garden, Unilodge Lena Karmel Lodge, Kinsley Street

What: The Rooftop Garden is being prepared to grow hardy herbs, including many medicinal herbs, in the difficult micro-climate up there in the wind and heat.

Study and Experiences

1)    IARU Campus Sustainability Student Exchange

Applications for the 2014 IARU Campus Sustainability Student Exchange are now being accepted!

Would you like the opportunity to intern with one our International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU) partner institutions? Spend six weeks working on practical campus sustainability projects at one of the following prestigious universities: ETH Zurich, National University of Singapore, Peking University, University of California, Berkeley, University of Cambridge, University of Copenhagen, University of Oxford, The University of Tokyo or Yale University.

During the internship placement (June-July 2014), students will work full-time with professionals at the host university to support the development and implementation of campus sustainability projects. Selected students will live in campus housing and work in the university's sustainability office for the duration of the program.

Students from all disciplines who have a demonstrated interest in sustainability are encouraged to apply. To be eligible, you must be currently enrolled at ANU and have completed at least one semester of study at ANU. The program offers paid travel expenses.

For more information and detailed instructions on how to apply, please visit the IARU Sustainability Exchange page<http://sustainability.anu.edu.au/get-involved/internships/iaru-sustainability-exchange>.

Application deadline is midnight, Tuesday 8 April 2014.

2)    Conservation Council Conference: Being an Effective Voice for the Environment

Communication is the key to the success of your group, campaign, event or activities, and in the new digital age the tools are forever evolving. This full day information and skill-share event is for those wanting to learn more about effective communications for the environment - social media/blogging, community organising, science communication, persuasive conversations for recruitment - learn it all here!

·       What: Being an Effective Voice for the Environment (website<http://conservationcouncil.org.au/CiviCRM/?page=CiviCRM&q=civicrm/event/info&reset=1&id=14>)

·       When: Saturday 29 March, 9am-5pm - including presentation of the ACT Region Environment Awards

·       Where: ANU Commons Function Centre, Rimmer St, Canberra

·       Cost: $45 for 350.org<http://350.org/> members/students/concession & $55 general admission - includes morning/afternoon tea & vegetarian buffet

·       Register: by 21 March online here<http://conservationcouncil.org.au/CiviCRM/?page=CiviCRM&q=civicrm/event/info&reset=1&id=14> or email Kylee<mailto:communications at conservationcouncil.org.au> or call 02 6229 3200

3)    Students of Sustainability Date Announced and Call for Volunteer Organisers

Bringing together networks from across Australia's environment movement, this annual conference is returning home to its birthplace at the Australian National University in Canberra after 23 years of travelling across the continent and spreading ideas, creating communities and inspiring a whole generation of change-makers. Last week the dates were confirmed and this exciting conference will be taking place from the 1st – 5th July 2014!

Everyone interested is encouraged to attend, and to keep track of the updates by following SOS on facebook at:www.facebook.com/soscanberra2014/<http://at:www.facebook.com/soscanberra2014/>, or by joining our mailing list at info.sos.2014 at gmail.com<mailto:info.sos.2014 at gmail.com>.

Additionally anyone keen to partake in the organising action, is welcome to get in contact, we meet Mondays 6pm at the conservation council, and if you get in contact we'll happily find where you can fit in to help out!

News from Fossil Free ANU

ANU might be a leader on climate change research, but the Environment Collective were shocked to find out it has over $80 million invested in companies that extract coal, oil and gas. The science is clear: we have to leave most of the world's fossil fuels underground to avoid catastrophic climate change within our lifetimes.

The good news is ANU has implemented a new "responsible investment policy". Under this policy, it will avoid investments in companies that cause "substantial social injury". The real question is: will ANU recognise the huge damage fossil fuels are doing to our future? We will find out later this year…

But in the meantime we are working to build support for ANU to do the right thing, and join cities, colleges and religious groups around the world already going fossil free.

You can sign the petition to support the campaign here:

http://campaigns.gofossilfree.org/petitions/for-a-fossil-free-anu

 And follow it here

www.Facebook.com/FossilFreeANU<http://www.facebook.com/FossilFreeANU>

Additional Links

Paper Beats Plastic? How to rethink environmental problems

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2L4B-Vpvx1A#start=0:00;end=18:07;cycles=-1;autoreplay=false;showoptions=false<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2L4B-Vpvx1A%23start=0:00;end=18:07;cycles=-1;autoreplay=false;showoptions=false>

David Mitchell – The Burden of Proof

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SI5ulKiZAoE

In The News This Week

Climate Talks in Brussels - Europe Should Lead on Climate Change

By Mary Robinson and Desmond Tutu

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/mar/17/europe-climate-change-legacy

The Trouble With Offsets

http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/backgroundbriefing/2014-03-16/5312944

Eating Meat: When Less is Better For You

http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/diet-and-fitness/eating-meat-when-less-is-better-for-you-20140315-34t7d.html

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 To receive regular notifications about sustainability-related events and opportunities, join the ANU SLC facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/anu.slc/

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