R&Svolunteer, Author at Roots & Shoots Australia

Sustainable Christmas Guide

December 21, 2018 by R&Svolunteer in ,Action Christmas Hope Sustainable

Christmas is nearly here and all around the country, houses are putting up their Christmas trees and decorations. People are shopping for presents, exchanging cards and throwing parties. It’s a wonderful time of the year but it can also be a stressful, wasteful and expensive time of year.

Some people may feel that it can cost the Earth but it doesn’t have to be this way – both for individuals and the environment. With a little thought, it can be a more enjoyable and environmentally-sustainable time of year.
To make your Christmas a sustainable celebration, it basically comes down to two main aims. One, to produce as
little amount of waste as possible – both solid rubbish (even recyclable and green waste if you can) and carbon
dioxide (limiting transportation of both yourselves, your presents and food) and two, to use up as little amount of
finite resources as possible.

With that in mind, here are a couple of ‘top tips’ to be able to achieve this and hopefully bring you more cheer.

1: Be Prepared – This tip is mainly a sanity and money saver but has the added bonus of helping you lead a more
sustainable Christmas. Being prepared helps you limit unnecessary repeated trips to the shops for another
forgotten item, or over buying. This will reduce the consumption of resources in the form of unnecessary items
and your carbon footprint in the form of car fumes. This can take some time to perfect and is may be too late for some
people this year, but you can use it as your aim for next year. Think about what each person would like and what
food you’re going to eat. If you have items already in the house, check before shopping to avoid duplication or
buying obsolete items.

2: The Tree – If you are buying one, buy real, and an even better choice is to buy one with roots in a tub. Some
shops like Bunnings sell Christmas trees in pots that can either be used year after year or planted outside in your
garden. Real trees absorb carbon dioxide during their life and can be composted or chopped up for mulch afterwards. Just remember to keep real trees well-watered while they are your Christmas tree, otherwise, they will dry out and die and drop pine needles everywhere. If you have a trusty artificial tree that is still acceptable, there is no need to change. But think before you buy a new one. Artificial trees cannot be recycled so will end up as plastic landfill.

3: Cards –Even in this age of social media, we still like to send Christmas cards. If you are sending cards at
Christmas, opt for either recycled cards, homemade cards or e-cards. Some charities are associated with e-cards
so you can help them while keeping in touch with a loved one. The cards you receive can be recycled afterwards
too, but even better is to ‘up-cycle’ them into something else. For example, turning them into decorations for next
year, name tags for presents and even cut up and used as cards again next year. Some charities can make use of
your donated cards too, so recycling your cards through them has a twofold benefit.

4: Lights – No Christmas display would be complete without lights whether it’s on the tree, around the house, or
the garden. Even if you don’t adorn your whole house and garden with a blanket of lights, they still account for an
increase in energy use and therefore our electricity bill, and ultimately carbon production. It is however still
possible to be sustainable and enjoy the atmosphere Christmas lights create. Make sure you use LED bulbs
which use less energy than others and turn them off at the wall when not in use to avoid wasting electricity. Choose
solar lights where possible. The garden is a perfect example of where these are handy as they can charge during the
day and light up during the night.
5: Decorations – As with the tree, if you are perfectly happy with all your decorations, then there’s no need to
change them all. But if you are looking for new ones, here are a couple of tips to help you remain sustainable yet
festive. First, use items you already have. For example, as mentioned before, repurpose old Christmas cards into
decorations. You can also use flowers and greenery from the garden or local shops. This is popular in Europe
with holly, ivy and mistletoe, while here in Australia we can use wattle brush, gum branches and even yucca and other succulents. If you are buying decorations, buy good quality items that will last and try to find sustainable
materials such as wood, glass or paper instead of plastic. Some candles can be more sustainable than others.
Homemade local candles from beeswax or soy rather than petroleum, mass produced ones are better.
6: Presents – This is probably the most stressful or expensive area for people. For these, what you want to try and
remember is buying a new item should be a last resort. This doesn’t have to be the ‘baa humbug’ idea that it may initially feel like. Think back to past Christmases, what do you remember more about those years and what
makes you smile? Often, it’s whom you spent it with and what you did, rather than what present you got. You can give a gift of an experience, doing something together that you both enjoy or want to try. You can also make them
something. Everyone has a talent in some area, photography, art, cooking, writing or even gardening. Another
idea is to donate money to a charity in their name or donate your time together and make memories instead of
spending hours shopping without them. If you do decide to buy something new, shop locally from local people
and buy items produced locally to reduce the transport cost and associated emissions.

7: Wrapping presents – This is usually a giant collection for the landfill at the end of the day. To avoid this, wrap in recycled paper, paper saved from last year, reuse kids drawing paper, newspaper or cotton/bamboo bags. If you
need to buy new paper, opt for plain, non-metallic or plastic-coated paper (for example brown paper or a roll of
drawing paper). This can be decorated with ribbon, drawings or ink stamps then either reused, or at least it can
be placed in the recycling bin.
8: Parties – To make these more sustainable and eco-friendly, avoid the temptation for disposable plastic plates,
and cutlery etc. Instead, try and use your regular plates and wash them afterwards, or if you really need
disposable, limit the amount to what is necessary and opt for materials like bamboo and recycle them. Avoid
plastic and individual drinks, make jugs of drinks and cocktails instead. Before the party starts, place large and
clearly labelled bags or boxes to collect waste. Have one for recycling, one for food, one of soft plastics and
another for general landfill.
9: Food – Christmas lunches and dinners are a tradition around this time of the year. When hosting, plan your
menu for the day and shop locally. Aim for in-season local produce and non-intensive meat. To help you with this, shop at your local butcher and greengrocer instead of the supermarket. It may be a wee bit more expensive than the
supermarket, but the quality of the food and the impact you can have in your area is greater.
10: Waste – Having items left over or classed as rubbish at the end of the day is inevitable. The difference
between a sustainable response and a non sustainable one is how we deal with it. Food waste can be composted either at home or via council green bins. Other items can be repurposed, donated or reused and after all other options have been ruled out, they can be recycled, then only as a very last resort, should you bin them for landfill.

Overall, Christmas is about spending time with the people we care about and enjoying that time. These tips are
meant to help you lead a more sustainable Christmas but also, ultimately a more enjoyable and relaxed one.
Initially, it may take effort and be difficult to implement in all the areas mentioned, but if we start with one item
and move forward from there, we may surprise ourselves in a short period of time. If every household produced
one less bag of the landfill over Christmas or took one less car ride, the effect across the whole of the town,
never mind the country, would be immense.

For more info check out this fabulous op shop guide: Op Shop Guide

MQ Roots & Shoots Pod Stop Adani Campaign

December 3, 2018 by R&Svolunteer in ,Climate Change MQ NSW Pod Project

The Macquarie University Roots & Shoots Pod is currently undertaking a Stop Adani Project; an imperative campaign as the mining project has just been granted the funding it requires to begin construction before Christmas.

The Macquarie University Roots & Shoots Pod comprises a diverse range of students all of whom are studying a Bachleor of Laws and have a passion for environmental activism.
Standing L-R Bell Knowles, Diana Kazakov, Tessa Marsden, Grace Vegesana, Oliver Moss, Annie Renouf, Adrienna Lim
Sitting L-R Bec Day, Seren Ozdemir, Alex Pan, Sophie Maher, Annabel Anderson

As young people, the Roots & Shoots team are concerned about the Australian Government’s insufficient response to the consensus of the scientific community regarding the potential impacts of anthropogenic climate change for animals, people and the environment. The Pod will be presenting a letter (written by lead authors Annabel Anderson, Annie Renouf and Grace Vegesana) to their local MPs. Pod members will partake in sit down meetings, participate in phone calls and/or email correspondence to deliver their message to political representatives.

Pod leader Annabel Anderson speaks of the project ‘it is an important demonstration of the power of grassroots campaigners to elicit environmental action. Our government is refusing to make changes so we must be the change. It sends a clear message that we will continue to write, speak, strike, resist and demand protection for our planet by phasing out non-renewable energy sources completely.’

You can find a copy of the letter here: MQ Roots & Shoots Pod Official Adani Letter

Please feel free to share on social media or print off a copy to send to your local MP and join our movement! Below are the key arguments the MQ Roots & Shoots Pod have raised, imploring the Government to prevent the Adani mine from being built:

Coal is the single biggest contributor to the climate effect responsible for 46% of carbon dioxide emissions internationally.[1] To fulfil our environmental responsibilities and prevent global warming from exceeding above 1.5^oC, Australia needs to make the shift to renewable energy sources by 2040. Preventing the approval, construction and operation of The Carmichael Coal Mine and Rail Project is vital in order to achieve this sustainable development goal outlined in the IPCC Report 2018.

On the 28^th November 2018, the United Nations released their Emissions Gap Report which listed Australia as a G20 country that will not meet its 2030 emissions reduction target of 26-28%.[2]

Aside from the contribution of non-renewable resources such as coal to the climate effect, threatening the security of humans and the planet, the list of reasons why the Australian Government must stop the Adani project is exhaustive. We put forward six critical reasons why we need your support to prevent this project from going ahead:

STOP ADANI FOR OUR PEOPLE:

Coal is the biggest single cause of air pollution in Australia, contributing to 3,000 deaths per year.[3] Greenpeace East Asia recently released a report on air pollution in which Australia was ranked 40^th on the global list of most air polluted nations.[4] The levels of nitrogen dioxide released primarily from Australia’s coal-fired power stations are dangerously high.

The Adani mine site is also a dangerous working environment, an accident in 2016 saw 7 workers killed when a hot water pipeline burst and approximately 19 cases of black lung have been identified amongst workers caused by coal dust.[5]

STOP ADANI FOR OUR WATER:

Adani will draw approximately 270 billion litres of water from the Great Artesian and other precious basins. The scale of the Adani mine will have an irreversible impact on Queensland’s groundwater resources and risk the pollution of local rivers. Adani’s mine will drain water from the rare Doongmabulla and Mellaluka Springs which are ecologically significant locations supporting native flora and fauna for over 1 million years.

Adani will not be charged for the water they consume, whilst stripping Australian farmers of their rights. Our farmers are already facing a ravaging drought. Documentation has revealed that farmers have been denied access to the Suttor River, however Adani has been granted permission to drain 12.5 billion litres from this same river. This is devastating for drought-stricken farmers.

STOP ADANI FOR OUR NATIONS’ FIRST PEOPLE:

Adani have actively worked to divide the Wangan and Jagalingou people to claim their consent to the mine. The Wangan and Jagalingou people have rejected a land deal with Adani four times since 2012 and have two court challenges underway yet Adani has continued with the project.[6] The Adani Mine, rail and port project will degrade cultural sites including sacred rock art and burial sites. These locations are vital to enable Indigenous Australians to express their spirituality and live out their obligations established by the Dreaming.

STOP ADANI FOR OUR REEF:

The Great Barrier Reef has already experienced devastating coral bleaching from rising sea temperatures as a result of global warming. If current climate trends continue, scientists estimate that in less than twenty years, coral on the Great Barrier Reef will experience serious bleaching.

The Great Barrier Reef, now teeming with life, will become a graveyard in decades. The scientific community indicates that 1.5^oC of global warming will destroy at least 70% of the world’s coral reef.[7] Burning the coal from Adani’s mine will help lock-in this tragic fate for one of the world’s natural wonders. This presents detrimental impacts for the marine ecosystem as well as Queensland economy as the Great Barrier Reef tourism industry currently generates 64,000 jobs in Australia and contributes 6.4 billion dollars to the national economy in a sustainable manner.[8]

In 2017 Adani exceeded its permitted pollution discharge limit to the Great Barrier Reef by over 800% at the Port of Abbot Point spilling coal laden water into the Caley Valley Wetlands.[9]

STOP ADANI FOR OUR NATIVE SPECIES

Climate change will also be accelerated by the land clearing required to build the mine. In total 20,200 hectares of land, equivalent to over 28,000 soccer fields, would be cleared to make way for this mine. Over half of the land that would be cleared is mature woodland and bushland which is vitally important habitat for many animals including threatened species such as koalas, echidnas and endangered birds.

As if more evidence is required to halt this project: several Adani companies are currently under investigation for corruption, fraud, money laundering and tax evasion. Furthermore, Adani began mining in 2018 without government authorisation – breaking Federal law.[10] The four major Australian banks have refused to fund or have withdrawn their funding of the Carmichael mine and on November 5^th, major Korean lenders refused to fund the project.

STOP ADANI FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS

Support is dwindling and we are asking for you to help us (as grassroots campaigners) to take our message to the policy level. This will give the #StopAdani campaign the final push it requires to secure a clean energy future to protect people, animals and our environment. It is a matter which we have decided to take action on based on the concerns of the young people we represent. Young people deserve a secure future and we will continue to write, speak, strike and resist until we see the changes that our world needs.

We implore you to join our movement.

Image via #StopAdani

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[1] ENDCOAL.org, ‘Climate Change’, 2017 < https://endcoal.org/climate-change/>.

[2] UN Environment, ‘Emissions Gap Report 2018’, United Nations <https://www.unenvironment.org/resources/emissions-gap-report-2018>.

[3] Begg, Vos, Barker et al. The burden of disease an injury in Australia 2003, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Cat. No. PHE 82, Canberra (2007) p 234 <http://www.aihw.gov.au/publication-detail/?id=6442467990>; Lockwood, Welker-Hood, Rauch et al. Coal’s assault on human health, Physicians for Social Responsibility <www.psr.org/assets/pdfs/psr-coal-fullreport.pdf>.

[4] Greenpeace East Asia 2018.

[5] 22 cases of coal workers’ pneumoconiosis have been confirmed in Queensland.

[6] Traditional Owners fighting Adani make demands of new Labor Government, Wangan & Jagalingou Family Council, 8 December 2018, <http://wanganjagalingou.com.au/wj-make-demands-of-new-labor-govt-on-adani/>.

[7] Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5^oC, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, October 2018.

[8] At what price? The economic, social and icon value of the Great Barrier Reef, Deloitte Access Economics in conjunction with The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, <https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/au/Documents/Economics/deloitte-au-economics-great-barrier-reef-230617.pdf>.

[9] Stop Adani Wrecking Our Reef, Fight for our Reef, < https://www.marineconservation.org.au/stop-adani-wrecking-our-reef/>.

[10] Mark Willacy, Adani groundwater bores investigated amid claims they were sunk without approval, ABC News (Online), 12 September 2018, <https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-12/adani-groundwater-bores-investigated-by-queensland-department/10231752>.

Brisbane International Day of Peace 2019

October 23, 2018 by R&Svolunteer in ,Dove Peace QLD Tree Planting

Dr Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots Australia celebrated International Day of Peace across the country this month.

The Brisbane Roots and Shoots Community celebrated International Day of Peace on 20th October 2018 at Kenmore South State School. The day involved a speech by Councillor Kate Richards, stalls led by numerous environmental organisations, a peace march lead by Queensland’s very own giant peace dove, tree planting activities and a beautiful cake. It was s perfect way to connect people with the environment and focus on the importance of mindfulness and compassion.

Volunteers and community members with Queensland’s very own peace dove.

The giant peace doves are the brain-child of UN Messenger of Peace and conservationist Dr Jane Goodall DBE, who established Roots and Shoots in 1991 to inspire young people globally to make the world a better place. “With the peace doves, we remind everyone of the truth they sometimes forget—that peace is possible,” said Dr Goodall.

Councillor Kate Richards cut the beautiful cake, which also tasted delicious!

The day received a fantastic turnout with 200 people coming together as a community to partake in the festivities. There was a strong youth contingent with one little boy coming up to the podium and yelling out “we are going to change the world!” Young people are most certainly the future, inspiring hope through their action and compassion for environmental protection.

Tree planting was a great way to encourage mindfulness and connect people with their environment

Introducing R&S Member Tahlia Walsh

October 13, 2018 by R&Svolunteer in ,Foodbank VIC Youth Leadership

Roots & Shoots is a global network comprised of young leaders and activists who are inspired to make a positive change in their local, national and global communities. A Roots & Shoots member is passionate, empathetic and innovative. Members are intrinsically motivated to address the environmental and humanitarian issues that affect them. They think critically and innovatively to solve these problems making them the leaders of tomorrow’s world.

Our R&S member, Tahlia has all these in spades! She is a girl mature beyond her years, articulate and passionate about people, animals and the environment. Here is her latest project that she has initiated:

My name is Tahlia Walsh and I am a passionate 11-year-old environmentalist, in Grade Six at the Distance Education Centre of Victoria (DECV). I have been part of Dr Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots program for the past two years, and have had the privilege of meeting Dr Jane personally. Meeting Dr Jane was a life changing experience! I also work closely with Lorinda Jane, CEO of Palm Oil Investigations, the leading non-government organisation on palm oil.

Tahlia Walsh (left) meeting Dr Jane Goodall (right). Tahlia’s work centres around palm oil investigation and raising awareness about food insecurity in Australia.

I have been working on a humanitarian project that all started with the Social Entrepreneurs Club (SEC) at school. The voluntary club is for students from Years 6 to 12. The other students in the SEC and I have been learning about social enterprises and feeling inspired by the SEC, I have decided to raise money, collect food donations, and also raise awareness about food insecurity in Australia. The food donations and money collected will go to Foodbank Victoria which is part of Foodbank Australia. I have been contacting Foodbank Victoria and they are delighted to have my support on behalf of DECV!

Foodbank Victoria is a not-for-profit independent organisation that collects food and donates it to community partners who ensure it goes to people and families that are living with food hunger.

Image via Foodbank Victoria

Did you know that…?

Foodbank Victoria feed more than 100,000 Victorians every month, and more than one quarter are children.
1 in every 5 children go hungry in Australia.
3.6 million Australians are food insecure every year, and can’t even buy the basics.
Last year Foodbank Victoria saved 37,000 kilograms of food from landfill and gave this to people in need.
Due to Foodbank’s partnerships with suppliers, manufacturers, farmers and the government, the money we raise will be multiplied by eight in terms of food value!!

It is a huge project to organise in a distance education school, but is a fantastic challenge. Imagine all the families, and especially children, I will be helping with DECV’s support! Maybe you can make a difference too?!

Congratulations Tahlia, you have exemplified the values of Roots & Shoots and the Jane Goodall Institute. What an inspiring leader you are becoming!

Spring Clean the City

October 13, 2018 by R&Svolunteer in ,Plastic Pollution Spring Clean VIC

Recently, some of our Roots & Shoots Victoria team participated in Melbourne’s first and biggest street clean event “Spring Clean the City”. The event was held on World Clean Up Day, 15 September, alongside many other clean up events worldwide.

The windy and rainy morning did not deter the 300+ motivated volunteers who came to participate in the clean. Once all the volunteers were assigned a section of the Melbourne CBD to clean, Annette from Boomerang Alliance welcomed everyone and explained the importance of the event.

Image via WeekendNotes.

Victoria and Tasmania are the only states remaining in Australia that do not have a Cash for Containers scheme. This scheme would allow people to recycle bottles and cans, receiving 10 cents per item. The data collected at the city clean would be used as evidence for the Victorian government to implement the scheme.

After the encouraging speech, the volunteers set out with bags in hand to collect street litter over the next two hours. Our bags were quickly filled and our actions were greeted warmly by others on the streets who thanked event participants for their work.

When the volunteers returned, there was a strong community effort in separating the contents of the litter into categories: bottles and cans, plastic drink cups and lids, coffee cups and lids, straws and other.

Australians use an estimated 10 million plastic straws everyday. Straws do not breakdown and often make their way into the ocean where they threaten marine life. 726 straws were collected on the day.

A total of 2,680 recyclable drink bottles and cans were collected from the streets, which made up 33% of the total litter volume. A cash for Containers recycling scheme would allow Victorians to recycle them and could have kept most, if not all, of the bottles from littering our streets.

Plastic bottles are discarded at an alarming, unsustainable rate. Plastic does not breakdown and it is estimated that every piece of plastic ever created still exists on the planet today.

Additionally 913 coffee cups and 617 lids, 726 straws, 680 plastic drink cups and thousands of cigarette butts were collected from the CBD streets during the event. All of this litter was prevented from entering the Yarra River and harming the marine life in Port Phillip Bay.

Volunteers were not deterred by the cold or the wind. It is inspiring to see such a fantastic community effort! They are truly inspiring hope through action.

Roots & Shoots Victoria would like to thank the anti-litter volunteer network BeachPatrol, Love Our Street, Boomerang Alliance and Sea Shepherd Marine Debris for organising and hosting this event.

Peace Day 2018

October 13, 2018 by R&Svolunteer in ,Mindfulness Peace Day 2018 Yoga Zoo

Throughout September, Roots & Shoots groups from around the world celebrate Peace Day and honour the UN International Day of Peace observed annually on September 21st. Dr Jane Goodall has been a UN Messenger of Peace since 2002 where she continues to inspire us all to live in harmony with nature and each other.

This year, our Victorian team joined together with Melbourne Zoo to celebrate Peace Day with a very special yoga class hosted by Lola Berry. Lola Berry is an accredited yoga instructor, nutritionist, author and presenter who helped us to find peace within.

Yoga has physical, emotional and spiritual benefits. It has been practiced for centuries and uses breathing techniques, exercise and meditation to increase happiness and find inner peace.

Lola Berry is a nutritionist, yoga teacher and bestselling author. She inspired participants to quieten their minds and incorporate mindfulness into their everyday lifestyle.

This wonderful event was opened by one of our young Roots & Shoots members, Isaac, who at 9 years of age, already possesses the qualities of a compassionate leader.

Isaac (pictured above) is 9 years old and opened up the Peace Day festivities with a compassionate and inspired speech. He is a young leader in the making!

Following the yoga class, our Roots & Shoots members along with Youth at the Zoo (YATZ) members participated in some fun and educational peace-themed activities. The youth were invited to design peace messages on enrichment ‘gifts’ that were filled with popcorn and given to the gorillas. This was an exciting activity for everyone watching on!

Participants engaged in arts and craft activities. The drawing and colouring pictured above encourages mindfulness which is fitting for Peace Day 2018.

Youth participants created enrichments gifts for gorillas at the zoo. What a great way to connect people with animals!

Other activities included a scavenger hunt around the Zoo where they learned ways of providing peace towards different animals and creating a tote bag out of old t-shirts that they were able to take home to use in the place of single-use plastic bags.

Reusable Bag Making

We are very grateful to the Melbourne Zoo team, including the Zoo Membership team and YATZ, for helping us to make this Peace Day celebration so special and to Lola Berry for an incredible yoga class. We also want to thank our amazing members who came along to celebrate with us and for their dedication in making a positive difference to our world.

International Day of the Girl Child 2018

October 13, 2018 by R&Svolunteer in ,Empowerment Girl NSW Peer 2 Peer

Thursday 11 October 2018 is International Day of the Girl Child. The day aims to highlight and address the challenges that girls face and promote the empowerment of young women around the world.

The theme of International Day of the Girl Child 2018 is: ‘With Her: A Skilled GirlForce’. This theme endeavours to invest in opportunities for girls to attain skills for employability and preparing the workforce to enable the successful transition of girls into employment. This is so important as 600 million adolescent girls will enter workforce in the next decade (girls really are running the world).

The Jane Goodall Institute has a strong focus on animals and the environment but did you know, we also run programs which engage with the needs of young girls across the world?

When they reach the age of puberty, many young girls in Uganda end their education. In fact, Uganda has the highest school dropout rate in East Africa. This is due to two factors. Firstly a lack of scholastic materials (such as pens, paper and books) and secondly due to a lack of access to sanitary materials, forcing them to stay at home during menstruation (which is a still a taboo subject). This prevents young girls from receiving the education they need to enter the workforce which can later lead to exploitation and contributes to a cycle of poverty.

The Peer 2 Peer Education program operates in Uganda near JGI sites and has lead to fantastic results with a greater percentage of female students undertaking secondary education. This helps to break the cycle of poverty. Image via JGI

The Jane Goodall Institute Peer 2 Peer Education program aims to tackle this issue and equips young women in Uganda with menstrual hygiene kits and information on reproductive health and family planning. The menstrual hygiene kits contain pairs of underwear, sanitary items, a small portable washing line, a toothbrush, toothpaste, pencils and pens. With the introduction of this program in schools, an average of 35 girls attend year 7 in each school (compared to just 20 girls prior to the implementation of the program) which is a fantastic result.

The kit contains essentials: underwear, sanitary items, a washing line, toothbrush and paste, pencils and pens. These materials enable young girls to continue their schooling with dignity. Image via JGI.

This program ensures that girls have access to sanitary products so that they may successfully navigate puberty and continue to engage confidently in their education and social lives.

Here’s to strong women (and girls). May we know them. May we be them. May we raise them. Happy International Day of the Girl Child 2018!!

Beeswax Wrap Recipe

October 10, 2018 by R&Svolunteer in ,Beeswax Wraps NSW Plastic Pollution Student Action

Grace Anderson is an eco-warrior and has taken full advantage of her school holiday time to create some environmentally friendly food packaging products.

Grace (a 13 year old student from Northwest Sydney) has experimented with her own beeswax wraps and has produced marvellous results. You can find the ingredients and method below.

“We use too much single-use plastic and the effects on the environment are detrimental,” says Grace, whose passion for environmental activism was ignited by the ABCs production of War on Waste.
“We have a massive waste problem,” she added. This is confirmed by the current statistics that an estimated 5 trillion pieces of plastic currently litter the ocean, 20,000 plastic bottles are bought every second around the globe and 99% of seabirds will have swallowed plastic by 2050.

One of the core values of Grace’s school is stewardship (care for the environment, care for others and care for yourself).
“Our school has a strong focus on stewardship and the environment. One person making beeswax wraps may seem small, but sometimes just doing a simple action and encouraging others to do the same can help save our common home.”

Grace experimented with different recipes for beeswax wraps and the results are incredible!

Ingredients list:

100% cotton, fair trade fabric in the sizes
Fabric scissors
40g of pure beeswax
Grater
Large sized baking tray
Paint brush
Greaseproof paper
Oven mitt

Method:

Preheat your oven to 150 degrees Celsius.
Cut the cotton fabric into 30x30cm, 27x25cm and 15x15cm squares with fabric scissors.
Grate pure beeswax (on a fine grater that is NOT used for food preparation) into a mason jar.
Line the baking tray with greaseproof paper and place the cotton squares on top.
Sprinkle the grated beeswax evenly on top of the cotton squares.
Place the tray into the oven for 2 minutes to allow the wax to melt.
Take the tray out of the oven (using a mitt).
Spread the melted wax gently across the fabric using a clean paintbrush and allow to dry.
Repeat steps 5-8 a second time if a double coat is required.
Place the wraps in a dry space to dry for 24-48 hours before use.

Congratulations Grace for inspiring hope through your actions and caring for our shared environment.

September Environmental News Wrap Up

October 3, 2018 by R&Svolunteer in ,Climate Policy Conservation Current news Plastic Pollution

Here are some newsworthy environmental initiatives that haven’t made the mainstream news headlines…

California Headed to Carbon Neutrality

California has taken a land mark step in the fight against climate change. The state has introduced a bill that requires retail energy to be derived from renewable resources, effective by 2045. Currently, California generates a third of their energy through renewable sources: this includes solar and wind power, geothermal power as well as power from nuclear plants (which accounts for 9% of the states’ energy). This bill was signed just prior to the Global Climate Action Summit (in which Dr Jane Goodall was a delegate) and has contributed to the growing momentum of the climate movement. Despite Donald Trump’s recent withdrawal of the United States from the Paris Climate Accord, this latest executive order is a legitimate and positive step in the right direction, enabling the state of California to offset their carbon production. Governor Jerry Brown’s sentiment ‘it will not be easy. It will not be immediate. But it must be done.’ Congratulations California on your climate action.

For further information click HERE:

Turning the Plastic Tide

In early September, The Ocean Cleanup launched its first cleanup system in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a gyre of pollution located in the central North Pacific Ocean. It is the largest of five offshore plastic accumulation zones covering approximately 1.6 million square kilometres – this is three times the size of France.

Image via the Hawaii University Marine Program

Plastic pollution awash the Hawaii coastline can be traced back to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Image via the Hawaii University Marine Program

The Ocean Cleanup was founded by an 18 year old engineer, Boyan Slat. Boyan created an ingenious system that is projected to clean up 50% of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch in five years. The project was deployed in early September and whilst this is an incredible step in removing plastic pollution from our oceans, The Ocean Cleanup want to stress the importance of beating plastic pollution at the source which involves the dramatic reduction of human dependence on plastic products. This may include: ditching single-use plastics (plastic bags, bottles and coffee cups), replacing plastic items with sustainable alternatives (bamboo toothbrushes, beeswax wraps and reusable containers) and organising grassroots initiatives to collect and correctly dispose of plastic litter before it enters ocean systems (such as a beach clean up). In a world inundated with environmental issues, this initiative is a key step in taking green action to combat the plastic pollution which is killing our oceans.

For further information visit The Ocean Cleanup website

Human Sign Sends a Strong Message About Global Warming

The organisation Clean Energy for Eternity and local residents of Bega Valley and beyond came together to form one of Australia’s largest human signs which called for the government to take stronger climate action and rapid reductions in green house gas emissions which are leading to a warming world. 2000 residents and 14 rural firefighting trucks assembled in Tathra and spelt out three slogans: “Keep Tathra Cool”, “Reduce CO2”, and “Climate Action Now”. You can check out a video of the day HERE.

The town of Tathra has been generating significant environmental momentum with solar farms at the sewage treatment plant, the local primary school, football club and small businesses. The day was a huge success and sent a powerful message to Australia’s politicians to come together and develop a stronger national policy to reduce emissions.

2000 residents gathered to create this human sign which sent a clear message to local and federal politicals to enact comprehensive climate policies. Image via the Bega District News.

MQ DVD Campaign for Mental Health Awareness

September 24, 2018 by R&Svolunteer in ,Mental Health MQU Northside Clinic NSW

The Macquarie University Centre for Environmental Law Roots and Shoots group recently collected second-hand DVDs for patients undergoing treatment at Northside Group.

According to the Black Dog Institute, 20% of Australians between the ages of 16-85 experience mental illness in any year. The most common mental illnesses are depression, anxiety and substance abuse disorder, often these conditions occur simultaneously. The Northside Group is a leading provider of mental health services with five clinics across Sydney. The clinic also has specialised programs for young people suffering from mental illness.

Ashley Avici, the CEL Project Officer, transporting over 500 DVD donations to the Northside Clinic.

This campaign, organised by the Centre for Environmental Law Project Officer Ashley Avici, is a people-focused initiative which is designed to both raise awareness about mental health and provide help to those enduring mental illness. Macquarie University students and staff collected just over 500 DVDs which will be donated to the Northside clinic. At Roots and Shoots we focus on the interconnectedness between people, animals and the environment. The project aligns with this philosophy by supporting those individuals in the community affected by mental illness whilst also encouraging people to recycle DVDs that may not be used anymore – diverting them from landfill.

This campaign is an inspiring example of community spirit and has generated the much needed awareness that the issue of mental health deserves because starting a conversation is the best way to break down the stigma surrounding mental health.

For any readers who are struggling or if this article has raised any concerns, please reach out to a trusted family member, friend, colleague or any of the resources listed below for anonymous support.

Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800

Lifeline: 13 11 14

MensLine: 1300 78 99 78

EcoCentre’s School Sustainability Festival

September 19, 2018 by R&Svolunteer in ,EcoCentre Native Plants Sustainability VIC

**Our Roots & Shoots Victoria volunteer team recently had the privilege of hosting an activity at Port Phillip EcoCentre’s 13th School Sustainability Festival.**

Around 50 students enthusiastically got their hands dirty while they learned how to make Native Seed Balls- small balls of clay, earth and native seeds (also known as ‘seed bombs’ for guerrilla gardening) that are used to replant areas where the natural flora has been destroyed.

The technique was first used in ancient Egypt to repair farms after the annual spring flooding of the Nile and was then rediscovered by a Japanese farmer during the period of the Second World War. Today, native seed balls are being used all around the world to re-seed land that has been abused by man or by Mother Nature herself.

Students got their hands dirty as they made Native Seed Balls!

The traditional method of broadcasting seed comes with several major drawbacks. When seed is sown on top of the soil, it is exposed to extreme temperatures, and is at risk of being swept away by the wind or washed away by heavy rains. Predators, such as birds or other small wildlife, will feed on the seed leaving very little left to germinate and grow. Making native seed balls addresses these problems. The hard clay protects the seed within from predators and the extremes of temperature until the rain arrives. Once soaked, the seed ball will help retain and prolong a moist environment around the seed to encourage germination.

Once completely dry, the seed ball can be dropped on top of the soil when ready to sow. Otherwise, have some fun and throw the seed balls onto the area you want to revegetate, “guerrilla gardening” style.

Not only does participating in activities such as native seed ball construction have the direct benefits of adding more native plants to an area, but it encourages conversation about wider environmental issues such as the problems faced with replanting large-scale deforested areas (such as those in Kenya) and the importance of planting native seeds that are indigenous to the area. It also shows that helping to make a difference can be fun too! If you would like us to host a Native Seed Ball workshop for your school or community group, please contact your State Coordinator.

Beaumaris Primary School Students enthusiastically participated in the workshop and had great conversations about environmental issues, particularly the effects of large-scale deforestation.

Where will all the penguins go??

September 10, 2018 by R&Svolunteer in ,Climate Change Musical Theatre NSW Penguins

Roots and Shoots is a youth-led movement which recognises that although kids may be small, through education and support, they have immense power to transform the future of our planet.

Where will all the penguins go is a musical performed by and created for children which tackles the underlying theme of climate change. The story follows the journey of two brothers into a future fractured by ecological crisis. It gives children an opportunity to learn and engage with the environmental issues facing our planet (the planet that they will one day inherit as the future generation). It is also a safe space to ask real questions about climate change.

‘It’s fun, it’s dark, it’s real, it’s current and it’s important,’

The show (a musical by Adil Jain, directed by Jess Smith) is highly entertaining but also informative and calls kids to consider our current unsustainable practices.

The musical is also part of a global awareness program, that is, after the show makes its global premier at the Sydney Fringe Festival, the producers intend to make the scripts and music available to children across the globe. This allows students to spread the message of environmental sustainability through a creative and engaging medium. It is the perfect example of care for people, animals and the environment that crosses national borders and language barriers!

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

Purchase tickets HERE

Where – Bondi Pavilion Theatre, Bondi Beach

When – Thu 20 Sept 12pm, Fri 21 Sept 12pm, Sat 22 Sept 12pm & 5pm.

For more information and to meet the creative team visit their website.