Now We the People
Bondi Junction

Discussion 5: Greening Australia with Many Colours

June 25, 2001
Speaker: Christine Laurence

Participants: David Baker, Feleena Emerton, David McKnight, Alan Marshall, Naureen Shuja, Stefan Jarnason, Anne McArthur, Susan Jarnason

Objectives of participants:

  • to gain a better understanding of the environmental debate

  • to explore possibilities of sustainable development

Key areas of interest/concern of participants:

  • what stops people from taking action .
  • unification of interest groups .
  • the failure of our economic system

Discussion areas

People initially felt overwhelmed by the breadth of discussion areas and questions from the NWtP discussion paper however following Christine's introduction, a number of issues were explored.

UNIFICATION OF INTEREST GROUPS

The possibility of green groups uniting with left wing groups was discussed. Apparently a positive example of this coalition has been observed in the Latrobe Valley where the dismantling of the coal industry has had some jobs transferred to a sustainable energy project.
The wood chipping industry is a classic example of unresolved differences.
The formalised structure of the union movement contrasts dramatically against the loose networks of the greens and incompatibility arises here also.

WHAT STOPS PEOPLE FROM TAKING ACTION?

  • The strength of the media and its possible "silencing of dissent" on the green debate was raised. The example of the term "feral" being used could stop grass root supporters from becoming involved from fear of being labelled as such themselves. David McKight, a lecturer in media at UTS, felt that overall the media "reflected more" environmental concerns than it "created".
  • The "tax theory" was put forward. People would not pay any or as much tax if it was an optional payment to government. Doing things for the community falls to a similar mind set.
  • The pace of life means that we're all too busy
  • The lack of local meeting places impacts on the potential for people to build up friendships and trust which is needed for collective action. Waverley Community Garden was acknowledged as a excellent site to build such friendships.

WHO DRIVES THE SUSTAINABLE ENERGY DEBATE?

  • Companies are not pro-active.
  • Governments have contradictory responses. On many issues there is no assistance. For example, developing a furniture industry to replace wood chipping. Sometimes governments do support the debate. Susan Jarnason used the example of her experience with the Waverley Community Garden where the Waverley Council was incredibly keen to support a green project.
  • Individuals may not become involved as per the "tax theory" as mentioned above. On the other hand a grass roots movement is occurring and this network could develop considerable power. Each member country of the WTO is experiencing serious citizen disenchantment which has support from the green and labour movement. Could representatives from each country form an organisation against world trade? This body could present a single rational voice to the media.

HOW CAN WE INVOLVE MORE PEOPLE?

  • Encourage the formation of discussion groups. This gives people confidence to "take on City Hall".
  • Use the Internet .
  • Think global and act local. Eg. Global Black Out Day
  • Use small civil disobedience actions where, when performed by a group, an impact can be made. Eg. Critical Mass Cycling Movement

PROBLEMS WITH THE ECONOMIC SYSTEM

The ineffectiveness of our economic system was discussed. Problems include that it is unstable, unfriendly and inefficient. The example of milk industry deregulation was given. Our economic system cannot account for, or value, the destruction to local communities.

Allan Marshall briefly alluded to a new economic system that rewards people for their contribution to their society. We invited Alan to present this model to us at another meeting.

CLOSING OF MEETING

Thank you to Christine Laurence for attending our meeting.

It was agreed that we would like to meet regularly as a group and set a date for the next meeting as Wednesday 25th July, 8:00pm.