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So lately, I have been thinking about the sustainability of Joondalup (Joondalup happens to be the district where I live, in Perth Western Australia) and after considerable thought, decided that my vision of a healthy and sustainable Joondalup is to firstly accept the mere fact that we are taking more from Joondalup than we are replacing. I thought a lot about ways for the community to be involved to better the future of the Joondalup area and I guess, in some way, this article can be applied to several other places. I think we are altering the very chemistry of our atmosphere, without regard to long-term consequences. Many people are beginning to believe that the concept of sustainability (ensuring a livable world for future generations) should become fundamental to what is taught to children in schools so that it can become fundamental to how we live.
Schools in the Joondalup area should emphasize these issues in their curriculum, preparing students to contribute as working citizens to an environmentally sound and socially just society. Schools should participate in a recycling program, recycling paper, glass, plastic containers, metal and more. The critical factor of this program would be to raise consciousness about what we throw away without thinking. As important as recycling is, reducing our use of paper and other products and purchasing materials with recycled content may be even more effective.
Schools can also participate in the area of energy conservation. The schools could initiate energy related retrofit projects for example installing efficient lights and motors, weathering buildings, modifying heating and ventilating, and improving air conditioning systems, stuff like that. All these projects would save money and do well for the environment.
Another great program for schools to participate in is to commit to environmental mindfulness and stewardship in all activities. This commitment arises from a sense of concerned citizenship and moral duty. Respect and care for the environment, sustainable living, and intergenerational responsibility are among the fundamental values that guide planning, decision-making, and procedures are important factors to be taken into consideration. An effective Environmental Council comprised of both students and staff; and operations initiatives that include minimal use of pesticides and fertilizers in landscaping and grounds practices, food composting and environmentally safe cleaners in the dining services, and incorporating ecological design principles into all new construction are great ways to go about caring for Joondalup’s environment.
I know a fair bit about Aboriginals because… well my mom works with them and used to work for them! So I have grown up learning a lot about the first Australians. You know the Aboriginal occupation of south-Western Australia dates back to more than 40 000 years ago. The coastal plain was occupied by different groups of the Noongar people. One group centred on the Swan estuary and its northern limit extended to between Lake Joondalup and Lake Neerabup (I think that’s it). The chain of linear lakes extending from the Swan River estuary north to Yanchep were well used because of good water supplies throughout the year and availability of food. The reeds of the lakes were a food source; they were regularly burnt to improve growth, and the roots were pounded into a paste and used as a type of flour. Other animals hunted in the area included small and large mammals, such as the Western Grey kangaroo, Quokka and Western Brush Wallaby, as well as snakes and frogs. Fire was a key tool in hunting and gathering. It was used to 'cultivate' and manage the resources of the land to ensure good, ongoing food supplies.
Clearing of land for development purposes should be controlled and more bush land should be retained in keeping with the Noongar ethos that ‘Only what is needed should be taken.’
I think it’s important that we really do take our future, into our own hands, seriously.
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Profiel van de Schrijver
Amy Kauler
Name: Nippalony
Actual name: Amy Kauler
Country: Australia
Writing is like a platter for our minds thoughts to be placed on. We can express our most inner feelings and generate a sense of satisfaction from ourselves when we have put our thoughts into written form....
We learn to understand ourselves and others when we share our thoughts and opinions on paper...(or screen :))
The beautiful part of writing is that you don't have to get it right the first time, unlike, say, a brain surgeon.
~ Robert Cromier
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Commentaren
Aborignals modified their environment Robert Margolis | Oct 27th, 2004
Your article makes an interesting point about how aboriginal peoples modified the land by fire to make a better life for themselves. It sounds like you are saying that modifying the environment is acceptable as long as we watch what we do and not overuse. A good philosophy for these modern times.
mmm Amy Kauler | Oct 31st, 2004
I agree ", 0000-00-00" but I guess it gives me satisfaction to just publish them, regardless of whether many people read them. It's like saying don't feed one duck, rather feed a bunch of them with one little piece of bread. You see, i don't really care if people read them or not, I don't want to make it into a thing which i do often...I just occassionally write articles...which many in TIG do...and anyway me writing an article is a random event, so theres no point in me making an effort to publish them or whatever because the articles are pretty crap anyway and i don't do many :P
0000-00-00 TJ Catalanotto | Mar 22nd, 2005
Not sure why you have to be so negative towards Amy and her writing? She is being heard as she has had a few people even take time to respond to her writing on this site. The only way we are going to bring about change and make this place a better place is to have ideas such as these put forward. If you think others do not share her ideas then all you have to do is look at Australian Geographic. They frequently have discussions and sponsor projects that work towards sustainability. Sustainability is an issue that is widely discussed in Australia but more can be done. People need to worry about modifying their own actins for in the end that is the only person that you can fully control and persuade. One person at a time discussing their ideas on forums like these might continue the wheels of change.
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