Cam's Toowoomba to Tbilisi event informative and enjoyable

Recently returned from Georgia participating in contributing to the formation of the new Tbilisi communiqué  (to mark 35+ years since the original document), Cam Mackenzie shared his journey with us in his presentation  "Toowoomba to Tbilisi...".

The 1977 Tbilisi Declaration established a framework for formal and non-formal EE activities at the local, national, and international levels and provided “fundamental principles for the proposals” in Agenda 21 and a set of other documents and global initiatives that followed. This Declaration marks a key milestone in terms of EE as the first global attempt to promote a far reaching goal for education encompassing learning for economic, social, cultural and environmental aspects of development. Tbilisi+35 shares the same vision of a world in which prosperity, environmental sustainability, cultural diversity, and social equality in all forms coexist and mutually reinforce each other.

Cam attended the intergovernmental conference on Environmental Education for Sustainable Development in September this year as a representative of the Australian Association for Environmental Educators (Cam is both a Queensland Chapter member and a member of the national executive, holding a Vice President position).
Cam contributed to the development of the communiqué at the conference which brought together  around 300 delegates from all parts of the world to carry forward the global appeal for environmental education as a means for sustainable development set forth by the 1977 Tbilisi Declaration.The Declaration was adopted at the world’s first Intergovernmental Conference on Environmental Education (EE) organized in Tbilisi,Georgia, by UNESCO in cooperation with UNEP.

Cam's contribution to the communiqué  was significant and included ensuring indigenous, youth, and early childhood education were incorporated into the document.  Cam's presentation to our interested group was both informative and enjoyable, and we thank Cam  for taking the time to share his experience with our audience.  Cam will be presenting at the upcoming National Conference, so catch his story there if you can.  

Peter Fensham, another Queensland Chapter member, attended the first conference. (Unfortunately Peter himself was unable to attend Cam's presentation due to a heavy cold - we hope you're on the mend Peter!)   Peter provided us with an interesting and informative summary of the original conference, which Liz Mackenzie read to us as a preamble to Cam's presentation.  (Thanks Liz!)  Peter gave us an insight into the politics of the time (hauntingly familiar) in his personal recollections.  Thanks again Peter!

Thanks to all those who attended and to the Griffith University Eco Centre for hosting the event.  Much appreciated!!

Ocean Life Education on Fraser Island

Fraser Island Visit Sep 7^th – 9^th

 

What a great weekend we had on Fraser Island in early September, the weather was fantastic and the water was a beautiful colour around the island! It was the inhabitants that live in these pristine waters that I was only too happy to discuss with the boys from St Josephs on Friday night, hotel guests on the Saturday night and to the eco junior rangers on Saturday afternoon.

My presentations highlighted the important marine habitat areas that harbour a mosaic of different aquatic animals. Explaining that Mangroves, Rocky shores, beach and Sea Grass areas are vital in providing breeding, nursery, feeding stations, and protective zones for a great number of animals. Most of us don’t comprehend or realise just how many living things are found in the sand, and that a beach isn’t just a lifeless band between the sea and the bush, beaches are in fact a highway of food and nutrients flowing between the two, thanks to massive numbers of invertebrate fauna!

Emphasis was given on the ever increasing devastation of human impact on the marine environment today, just how plastic pollution is pushing whole species of animals to the brink of extinction. Similarly Coral bleaching was discussed, what bleaching is and how human activity has brought about this widespread destruction of our coral reef habitat and in turn how this adversely effects a huge number of species that call the reef home!

September being whale season also brought about discussion as to why the whales are here at this time of year, what all their frolicking antics are about and again the impact humans are having upon them.

I enjoyed my stay on Fraser; my passion is sharing knowledge about the marine environment, explaining why animals are the way they are and why they do the things they do, what their role is in the environment and why we need to look after them! My audiences were enthusiastic and grateful; the St Josephs boys were a credit to themselves and their school and to the teachers who were with them.

I would like to thank Joe and his team of Rangers for making us welcome and would not hesitate in returning again in future!

Keep up the good ‘Environmental’ work!
Richard Coward
Director of Education
Ocean Life Education

Free Environment Careers and Opportunities Expo 24th October

Date: Wednesday 24th October 2012
Time:
1st Session: 12 - 3pm (Schools)
2nd Session: 5 - 8pm (Students & Parents)
Venue: The Edge, Southbank, Brisbane
For more information and to register, please email Renee at Wild Mob on: renee@wildmob.org 

 ECO EXPO – What’s it all about? 

Do your students understand what a career in ecology can offer? How about landscape architecture? Environmental engineering? Or that almost every environmental consultancy, government department and eNGO employs media and public relations staff? As the environmental sector continues to grow and diversify, so do the career opportunities. 

In the past, a career in the environment would have focused mainly on conservation, scientific research, waste management or pollution prevention and control. Environmental management systems are now integrated into all industries and all aspects of our lives. Many businesses are looking to expand their environmental consciousness, limit their impact on the natural environment, demonstrate sustainable practices and/or give back to worthy environmental causes. 

Through our work in the high school and university sectors, Wild Mob has identified a need to inform young adults of the opportunities presented by environmental careers. In partnership with Land Trust, Nudgee Beach Environmental Education Centre and The Smith Family, Wild Mob is hosting an Environment Careers and Opportunities (ECO) Expo. This is a free event that will showcase a range of careers and study options available in the environmental sector. Students, parents and teachers will have the opportunity to talk to industry professionals, volunteer groups and representatives from tertiary institutions. 

How will you and your students benefit from attending the event? 

Guest speakers from a range of professions will each talk for up to ten minutes about their personal pathway to a successful career and the tips they learnt along the way. We will also encourage students to ask questions and approach speakers during the break to find out more. 

Featured ECO Expo speakers include: 

Communications and Media Strategist, Australian Marine Conservation Society 

Environmental Consultant, Land Trust 

Environmental Engineering, Beyond Zero Emissions 

Landscape Architect and Management committee for the Environment Defenders Office, Cardno Chenoweth 

Environmental Scientist, Wild Mob 

Welcome to Country: A Welcome to Country by Nunukul Yuggera will kick start the ECO Expo. This aboriginal dance group is world renowned, having spent over 10 years traveling the world to promote and celebrate their culture, history and traditions. Students will gain an insight into the traditional dance, dress and teachings of the Nunukul Yuggera people. 

Keynote Speaker (evening session): Holly Caroll, Biologist, Conservationist and Presenter will join us fresh from the Congo, having recently filmed her new documentary The Last of the Great Apes. The film, soon to hit cinemas globally, follows the primates in their natural habitat and the deadly dangers that threaten their survival. Holly will take us on a journey through her successful career, from studying Zoology and Animal Ecology, to becoming the Youth Ambassador for the Jane Goodall Institute’s Roots & Shoots program, and on to captivating large audiences on BBC’s Animal Planet documentary Wild Ladies of Viramba. Holly’s passion for her work and the diversity of her experiences will make for a fascinating and informative speech. Please visit www.thelastofthegreatapes.com to find out more. 

MC: ‘Binderella’ from Ecotainment Inc. will MC the afternoon session, keeping students engaged and entertained with Trash Trivia games. 

Interactive Displays and Stalls: The afternoon session will also feature activities with Ocean Life Education, giving the students the opportunity to get up close and personal with a wide variety of our wonderful marine life. Please visit www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au to find out more. 

A variety of stalls and interactive displays from eNGOs, Universities and TAFEs will also be available for attendees to browse at their leisure, offering plenty of opportunities and pathways for students and school leavers to get involved in the environment sector. A simple conversation at one of these stalls may end up playing a crucial role in kick starting a new career path for these young people. 

After the event, copies of the power point presentations and key 

tips will be provided as a useful resource and reference point for 

the future. 

When, where and how? 

This is a free event. We would love for your school 

and students to attend, however, registration is required 

as places are limited. 

Event Information 

Date: Wednesday 24th October 2012 

Time: 

1st Session: 12 - 3pm (Schools) 

2nd Session: 5 - 8pm (Students & Parents)

Venue: The Edge, Southbank, Brisbane 

For more information and to register, please email Renee at Wild Mob on: renee@wildmob.org 

All welcome 24/9 6.30 pm Griffith Uni Eco Centre Tbilisi Event

The Queensland AAEE Chapter is hosting an event at the Eco Centre, Griffith Uni, Nathan Campus

All those interested in: Environmental Education; Education for Sustainability; Environmental Literacy are welcome.

Mon 24th September 6.30 pm  All Welcome

Featuring:
From Toowoomba to Tbilisi – Cam Mackenzie’s environmental education journey (Tbilisi - The intergovernmental conference on Environmental Education for Sustainable Development Septemeber 2012 

Tbilisi http://www.tbilisiplus35.ge

Griffith Uni Eco Centre, Nathan Campus

6:30pm Monday 24^th September  

Light dinner supplied

Cost:  $10

RSVP to: aaeeqld@gmail.com by Monday 24th September 12pm for catering purposes

How to get there: http://www.griffith.edu.au/environment-planning-architecture/ecocentre/about-us 

Travel sustainably:  Bus 120 from Brisbane http://translink.com.au

Arrange a lift with a colleague 

Details:  Listen to Cam’s story of his recent trip to Tbilisi for the Tbilisi + 35 Conference and the development of the Tbilisi Communiqué. Meet with others interested in Environmental Education; Education for Sustainability; Environmental Literacy.  Hear about the upcoming AAEE National Conference in Melbourne.  Catch up with other Chapter members.  

Tbilisi - The intergovernmental conference on Environmental Education for Sustainable Development 6-7 September

The Intergovernmental Conference Tbilisi+35:Environmental Education for Sustainable Development will bring together around 300 delegates from all parts of the world to carry forward the global appeal for environmental education as a means for sustainable development set forth by the 1977 Tbilisi Declaration.The Declaration was adopted at the world’s first Intergovernmental Conference on Environmental Education (EE) organized in Tbilisi,Georgia, by UNESCO in cooperation with UNEP.

The 1977 Tbilisi Declaration established a framework for formal and non-formal EE activities at the local, national, and international levels and provided “fundamental principles for the proposals” in Agenda 21 and a set of other documents and global initiatives that followed. This Declaration marks a key milestone in terms of EE as the first global attempt to promote a far reaching goal for education encompassing learning for economic, social, cultural and environmental aspects of development. Tbilisi+35 shares the same vision of a world in which prosperity, environmental sustainability, cultural diversity, and social equality in all forms coexist and mutually reinforce each other.

Message from Cam Mackenzie who has just returned from the Tbilisi +35 Conference in Tbilisi, Georgia.

WOW What an AMAZING experience. The Tbilisi +35 Conference was FANTASTIC. Have a look at the banner photos on the website http://www.tbilisiplus35.ge/

I have so many stories to tell; however the most significant is the process of writing and adopting the FINAL draft of the Tbilisi Communiqué. (click on the link below or copy and paste the full text link into your web browser) I spent hours on the expert panel negotiating the text for this document. One session started at 12:00 noon on Tuesday and did not finish until 5:00am the Wednesday morning. The Minister for Environmental Protection (the person whom I met at the WEEC in Brisbane last year and whose officers tracked me down through Google to invite me to attend this conference) turned up at the expert panel meeting at 2:30am to see how we were going.

As most of you know, I could talk for hours on all the highlights of such a conference, but I will leave than for later. If you are going to the AAEE in Melbourne in the second week of the school holiday you will see an overview of the event. I will also be writing and article for ozEE for AAEE members.

Final Draft of the Communique

http://www.aaee.org.au/2012/08/14/example-post-2/

Stephanie Alexander Kitchens Sunny Coast Bus Tour

Queensland – Sunshine Coast

• Date: Wednesday 19 September
• Time: 8:15am–4:30pm Price: $85.00
• Pickup: Nambour Train Station, Mill Street, Nambour

www.kitchengardenfoundation.org.au

The End of Growth Brisbane Friday 14th September Sunshine Coast 15th

Richard Heinberg explains the close link between the resource/environment and the social/economic components of the present disintegration. As a journalist with a keen understanding of science and maths he does it better, more comprehensively and more clearly than most others. While the conventional wisdom is that we must get ‘the economy’ growing again, Heinberg shows that not only is this the wrong strategy, it is actually making the situation worse and more intractable.
Entry by donation

Brisbane: 6 pm Friday 14 September, Abel Smith Lecture Theatre, University of Queensland - St Lucia Campus. RSVP Jane O'Sullivan j.osullivan@uq.edu.au

Sunshine Coast: 5.30 pm Saturday 15 September, The Big Pineapple, Woombye RSVP David Robertson deltakilo@iprimus.com.au

Sign the petition to help protect science and environmental science in Qld schools

At the LNP's annual conference in July  the organisational wing of the party passed a motion to remove 'environmental education' and 'climate science' from the education system in Queensland.
The Australian Youth Climate Coalition is running a petition asking Education Minister, Jean-Paul Langbroek, to safeguard science and environmental education in Queensland schools.
Over 2000 people have signed this petition to date, so spread the word, and help give Campbell Newman's government a clear message to safeguard science, and environmental science, in Queensland
Sign the petition

http://www.change.org/en-AU/petitions/minister-john-paul-langbroek-support-climate-science-education-by-ignoring-the-lnp-motion

Plastic Bag Lunch forum with Ian Kiernan AO - New Date!

The Queensland Conservation Council is bringing together Brisbane’s Bayside community and business leaders to explore the banning of plastic bags by 2015 and what that would mean for their communities.  

Join Clean Up Australia founder, Ian Kiernan, and a panel of special guests to explore the issues and challenge the arguments.

When:  Tuesday November 20, 12.15 - 2.30 pm.
Where: Moreton Bay Trailer Club, Manly
Cost:    $55 or $500 for a table of 10.
             
QCC Member Group tickets are $49  
http://banplasticbags.eventbrite.com.au/

The Australian Climate Commission Report – The Critical Decade

The Climate Commission brings together internationally renowned climate scientists, as well as policy and business leaders toprovide an independent and reliable source of information about climate change to the Australian public.

The Climate Commission’s 12^th report follows a series of reports on the science and impacts of climate change and the opportunities in Australia associated with taking action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  In its 2011 report, The Critical Decade: Climate science, risks and responses, the Climate Commission set out the clear scientific evidence on the changing climate. It outlined the overwhelming evidence that the climate is changing and that human activities are the main cause. It also highlighted the substantial risks for Australia.   The main message in The Critical Decade was that, if we are to avoid the most damaging effects of climate change, then the world must take strong, rapid action this decade to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

What action is being taken to tackle this global challenge, and where does Australia fit?

Read more at:

http://climatecommission.gov.au/report/the-critical-decade/

Need to know what’s in the news? Environmental News...

 Subscribe for free at:

http://www.makingenvironmentalnews.com/

A vital information tool giving you an environmental edge  Eg:  

Studies: Wind potentially could power the world

The Age

11 September 2012

Earth has more than enough wind to power the entire world, at least technically, two new studies find.
But the research looks only at physics, not finances. Other experts note it would be too costly to put up all the necessary wind turbines and build a system that could transmit energy to all consumers

No super trawler for the time being....

Exciting news from GET UP!
Moments ago, the Environment and Fisheries Ministers held a press conference in Canberra to announce that the huge fishing super trawler, the Abel Tasman (a.k.a the FV Margiris), will be banned from Australian waters for two years.

The super trawler was readying to leave port, set to trawl our oceans with a net longer than the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

A huge congratulations to GetUp member, Rebecca Hubbard, who started the 'Stop the Super Trawler' campaign on GetUp's community campaigning platform CommunityRun! Over the last month, Rebecca's campaign grew to 93,864 petition signatures, over 18,000 emails to the Fisheries Minister, a series of rallies on the ground, and a huge national print advertising campaign calling on the Minister to stop the trawler. Thanks go to Rebecca, our allies at Environment Tasmania, Greenpeace, and the 14 other conservation and fishing groups who worked on this!

For Jobs, voluntary work, training and conference information...

CooeeAds.   Jobs for outdoorsey people!

http://www.cooeeads.com.au/content/view/3329/11/

26/10/12 - Outdoor Education Team Leader - Googa OEC - Blackbutt, QLD

ASAP

Zipline Adventure Tour Guide - Jungle Surfing Canopy Tours - Port Douglas, QLD