The shape of things to come
A brighter future for people and planet
Monthly Archives: October 2012
I love Tasmania’s forest. Happiness is a mountain-top or a myrtle forest in my world and I’ve spent many blissed-out hours walking through the mossy half-light of the old-growth forests that quietly soothe and revitalise the human spirit. These are special places, rich in biodiversity and ecological complexity. Special places that many people believe are worth fighting for. You see, Tasmania’s economy is driven by primary industries. We don’t have a big… Read More
The end of the road, Tasmanian highlands Never stop exploring, even in your own backyard. There is always something new to discover, both within and without. Find out where that road leads.
It’s time for another guest post! I believe we should hear from a range of different voices in the sustainability conversation: we have different perspectives, expertise and experiences and should learn from each other, working together to build a shared vision of the future. Fracturing into camps (locavores, vegans, off-the-gridders and the rest of us just trying to step a little more lightly and make sense of it all…) does us no… Read More
No matter how dark it may get, the world remains a beautiful and amazing place (it’s been a rough news kind of week)
One of the wish list items I was looking for when I chose my most recent home was a walkable neighbourhood, and I’m pleased to say I got it. Since moving here I barely use my car. I walk to the corner grocer, I walk to visit friends or to my favourite coffee haunt, I walk to the produce market on Sundays and five days a week I walk to work. The… Read More
Florentine contested forestry area, Tasmania Don’t be afraid to let who you really are shine through.
I’d pretty much given up on my spring veg seeds sprouting. Well, except for the rocket and beans – they’re unkillable. Instead of buying seedlings this year I’d decided to do my bit for crop diversity and source some rare and heirloom variety seeds: tomatoes, zucchini, eggplant and sunflowers, along with last season’s self-saved seed. I got all eco-experimental and planted most of my seeds in egg cartons, which it turns out… Read More
Have you ever noticed how much food grows in our urban spaces? Here in Hobart I know where to find elderberry trees, blackberries, olives, apples, quinces and figs. As I’m slowly learning a little more about edible natives I’m discovering a whole new range of plants to scavenge for a free feed. The urban bounty isn’t restricted, however, to the plants that grow between the cracks. There’s also plenty of edible goodness… Read More
There is nothing like travel to give you a heaping dose of perspective. We in the western developed world, the vast majority of us, anyway, are so damn spoilt. Here in Australia we write ourselves the narrative of the battler; hard-done-by working class hero, struggling to get ahead. The reality, however, is far, far different. We’re incredibly wealthy. Daily we take for granted riches of which much of the world can only… Read More
The shape of things to come 