Wrap up of June Community Conversation
Thinking globally, acting locally: small steps to big change
The June community conversation was a gently guided free-flowing discussion which covered a range of ideas which can be loosely group into three themes.
Human connection to nature and its sacredness
We started our June community conversation with a quiet reflection while viewing an image of Earth from space.
For some people the image of earth raised feelings of being very small and insignificant and the idea that our tiny actions don’t really matter in the large universal scheme of things. For others, feelings of awe at the unique planet we are able to share and protect.
This led to discussions about the preciousness and significance of life on Earth. The conversation included the notion of nature being sacred, with references to ancient cultures seeing trees, rocks and mountains as living beings and the importance of conserving what is good for future generations, drawing on First Nations philosophies like the seventh-generation principle. One participant spoke about being involved in a contemplation group with First Nations people, which helps them to reconnect with the natural world.
We then spoke about how our modern way of living creates a very short-term way of thinking and a sense of disconnection from nature, emphasising how people are detached from the sources of their survival, such as land and food. We spoke about the scarcity of land and how Brisbane seems to keep sprawling out at the expense of natural areas. The conversation explored sustainable urban planning, with a focus on building within the existing city footprint through the use of medium-density housing and combating "nimby-ism."
Challenges and motivations for sustainability:
Motivation for sustainability was a key topic, touching on how cultural views impact resource use and the challenges of making daily choices that reflect deep values. The group discussed the oscillation between feelings of despair and action regarding sustainability and the difficulty in mustering collective will for an appropriate response.
The discussion highlighted the need for inclusive action, encouraging people to contribute in any way they can. The sentiment was that collective small actions can inspire broader change. We also had a quick recap on the Sustainable Development Goals.
Participants shared some personal motivations and some tips and ideas. Participants shared a range of motivations for their sustainability actions including improving biodiversity or responsible consumption or eliminating fossil fuels. One person shared how they try to avoid air travel but when they had to travel for business last year, they purchased offsets.
Practical Actions and Community Engagement:
The conversation included various practical suggestions for promoting sustainability, such as tool libraries, borrowing thermal cameras for checking insulation, and the importance of recycling drink containers.
We discussed the importance of the sustainability movement being inclusive and welcoming; stressing that sustainability is a long-term, continuous improvement process where everyone’s participation is crucial. Sustainability means different things to different people, and no one has the resources to tackle all sustainability issues. Everyone at the conversation started their sustainability journey from a different place and was at a different stage.
We talked about the importance of not just acting but of sharing your story to inspire others and drive culture change. Some people mentioned that they were reluctant to share because they weren’t doing sustainability ‘perfectly’. We then talked about importance of recognising and communicating that perfection isn't the goal; continuous improvement is. That small actions undertaken consistently by many will collectively build momentum.
“We don’t need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly.” ~ Anne Marie Banneau
Some useful resources the group shared:
How to live for less - you can also subscribe to a sustainability newsletter
Book - The Big Switch: Australia’s Electric Future by Saul Griffith