Week 8 - 21st April, 2015
I’m really trying to change our consumption of meat weekly, research that I’ve undertaken has made the situation quite dire. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, the meat industry generates approximately “1/5th of the man-made greenhouse gas emissions effecting climate change” this is MORE than transportation (Sustainable Table, 2015).
This has really brought home to me the impact my “need” for red meat as on the environment.
As a result, we have successfully decreased our intake to 5days a week from 7!
This week’s visit to CERES gave some suggestions as to how to become more sustainable. I looked closely at the organic market, the propagation section and the nursery.
I got so excited about my fresh fruit and veg, that I bought my first lettuce and broccoli plants to add to my veggie patch.
Locates in East Brunwick, CERES Community Environment Park is situated on 4hectares of rehabilitated landfill. It is an organisation “deeply committed to reduction in resource use” equipped with the mantra of “supporting sustainable ways of living” (CERES, 2012). Along with strategic positioning to provide sustainable transport options, the park models sustainable living options and their capabilities whilst also developing and testing new technologies. There are four areas where they are developing more sustainable methods. These include, energy, water, food and building.
The development of new technologies, allows the adaptation to provide sustainable energy sources throughout CERES. Many of the sustainable practices throughout the park include solar panelling. Utilising the energy from the sun, concentrated onto photovoltaic (solar) panels and the size of the array of panels will determine how much emission free energy is produced. The different applications of this energy can be seen in the solar charge station and the solar pavilion; where clean energy production can be easily seen in everyday buildings. There are other applications such as solar powered cooking, pumps, water heating units and many others.
These clean energy production techniques are incorporated in the Park's building applications. The entire park has been built using sustainable, biodegradable and non-toxic products. The Eco House is a thorough example of ecocentric construction and restorative developments. From the recycled and ethically sourced floorboards to the energy efficient floorplan, the house has every angle covered ensuring minimal energy is used for heating and cooling of the area, water is conserved and natural over artificial light is used. The learning centre provides valuable information for young and old alike to learn new ways of living sustainably and are given the tools to implement change.
Some of the tools for this change are the way we view food, how we source and how we cook it. The CERES nursery allows people who have viewed the Aquaponic floating vegetable and herb beds, the opportunity to start their own fresh vegetable experience. The nursery inspired me to begin my own gardening journey by growing my own lettuce and broccoli (two of the most consumed vegetables in my home) plants. Other food options available are the home grown vegetables sold at the organic farmers market.
The watering systems to fuel these initiatives come under the title of Integrated Water Cycle Management plans and have 2 elements. 1. To promote sustainable use and 2. To evaluate the water cycle, this includes management of supply and demand. Inside the Eco House only used water efficient appliances and fittings. These are good suggestions of small changes people can make in their life to save on water usage.
Overall, CERES is a method of engaging the community to invigorate change. Through demonstration of sustainable practices and providing individuals with the tools for change such as the Eco House, the nursery with it's incredibly knowledgeable team, the propagation station and the many examples of solar panelling to power your life such as the car charging station, the home and even in the wider community buildings.
Sustainable Table. (2015). Should you eat less meat? Meatless Monday. Retrieved from http://www.sustainabletable.org/794/should-you-eat-less-meat
Locates in East Brunwick, CERES Community Environment Park is situated on 4hectares of rehabilitated landfill. It is an organisation “deeply committed to reduction in resource use” equipped with the mantra of “supporting sustainable ways of living” (CERES, 2012). Along with strategic positioning to provide sustainable transport options, the park models sustainable living options and their capabilities whilst also developing and testing new technologies. There are four areas where they are developing more sustainable methods. These include, energy, water, food and building.
The development of new technologies, allows the adaptation to provide sustainable energy sources throughout CERES. Many of the sustainable practices throughout the park include solar panelling. Utilising the energy from the sun, concentrated onto photovoltaic (solar) panels and the size of the array of panels will determine how much emission free energy is produced. The different applications of this energy can be seen in the solar charge station and the solar pavilion; where clean energy production can be easily seen in everyday buildings. There are other applications such as solar powered cooking, pumps, water heating units and many others.
These clean energy production techniques are incorporated in the Park's building applications. The entire park has been built using sustainable, biodegradable and non-toxic products. The Eco House is a thorough example of ecocentric construction and restorative developments. From the recycled and ethically sourced floorboards to the energy efficient floorplan, the house has every angle covered ensuring minimal energy is used for heating and cooling of the area, water is conserved and natural over artificial light is used. The learning centre provides valuable information for young and old alike to learn new ways of living sustainably and are given the tools to implement change.
Some of the tools for this change are the way we view food, how we source and how we cook it. The CERES nursery allows people who have viewed the Aquaponic floating vegetable and herb beds, the opportunity to start their own fresh vegetable experience. The nursery inspired me to begin my own gardening journey by growing my own lettuce and broccoli (two of the most consumed vegetables in my home) plants. Other food options available are the home grown vegetables sold at the organic farmers market.
The watering systems to fuel these initiatives come under the title of Integrated Water Cycle Management plans and have 2 elements. 1. To promote sustainable use and 2. To evaluate the water cycle, this includes management of supply and demand. Inside the Eco House only used water efficient appliances and fittings. These are good suggestions of small changes people can make in their life to save on water usage.
Overall, CERES is a method of engaging the community to invigorate change. Through demonstration of sustainable practices and providing individuals with the tools for change such as the Eco House, the nursery with it's incredibly knowledgeable team, the propagation station and the many examples of solar panelling to power your life such as the car charging station, the home and even in the wider community buildings.
