In the days and weeks before 16th December Feeding the 5000 received tonnes of generously donated fresh produce from farms, packers and markets – from the tonnes of produce that are ‘outgraded’ for being cosmetically imperfect and which would have been wasted though they are still good to eat.

From the original press release:

The produce will be delivered to the food depot of our main partner, FareShare. From there it will be taken to the commercial kitchens which have been kindly given over to us for the event. Here it will be prepared into soup and other food for the day by an army of volunteers trained in food handling and preparation.  The food will be delivered by FareShare to Trafalgar Square on the 16th December and prepared in time for the free lunch, starting at 12 noon. Meanwhile, smoothies from fresh surplus fruit will be made by a team of bicycle-powered smoothie makers and handed out to passers-by.

For an insight into how the event turned out on the day, watch the Guardian.UK’s video of the event.

Come along to the Walk Against Warming and help form a massive human sign, a sign so big that the message will reach Copenhagen! In Melbourne, the walk will start by the State Library, on the corner of Swanston Street and La Trobe Street at noon on December 12 and end at Princess Bridge. On the bridge, 20,000 people will make a human sign saying: SAFE CLIMATE – DO IT. Zero Carbon Moreland friends and supporters are invited to meet and walk together. To find actions in other cities, visit the website.

What is the Walk?

Walk Against Warming is Australia’s biggest day of community action on climate change. This year we’re taking an international focus.

Imagine the big names in world politics; Obama, Brown, Sarkozy, Hu, Putin, Hatoyama, Merkel, Rudd. Now, imagine them all in one room.

In Copenhagen this December decisions will be made about what the next Kyoto will look like. This meeting will determine how the world will work together to stop climate change.

Walk Against Warming is happening smack bang in the middle of this meeting – Saturday 12 December. And we want them to take notice.

We won’t be alone either. Saturday 12 December is also the International Day of Action on Climate Change. All around Australia, and all over the world, communities will be gathering in the big cities and country towns to call for immediate, bold and effective action to tackle climate change head on.

So – what would you say to these world leaders if you had the chance?

One hour of your life

It will only take one hour of your life to get your voice heard. One hour to help persuade our leaders we will accept nothing less than a commitment to strong action that delivers a safe climate future.

One body on the bridge

The difference could be you, and thousands of others like you. We need your body on the bridge on Saturday 12 December. Can you help us form the largest human sign in history? A sign that sends a strong message to world leaders that can’t be ignored.

One message to the world

Our human sign will be photographed from the air with the spectacular Yarra River and CBD backdrop – our message will be sent all over the globe. It will be amazing – and you can be a part of it!

One climate to save

Think it can’t be done? Then think again.

In the past four years alone, more than 100,000 Victorians have taken part in Walk Against Warming to demand that our political leaders take effective action to deal with the climate crisis. In 2007, Melbourne’s Walk Against Warming mobilised 50,000 people in the world’s largest ever climate protest! Two months later, the new federal government finally ratified the Kyoto Protocol.

The Copenhagen Conference will decide how the world will come together to stop climate change. We need your voice to convince our leaders that bold and decisive action is the only way forward. If ever was there was a time to come out in support of a Safe Climate, this is it.

For more information, visit the website

Green Cities 2010 – People, Places, Performance – is now taking bookings.

“Join us in Melbourne from the 21-24 February 2010 at the largest and most influential green building conference in the Asia Pacific region. Bringing together green building innovators and leaders from around Australia and internationally we will explore new ideas and share practical knowledge in the expanding sustainable building industry. ”

• Hear from renowned global green building experts including: Malcolm Smith – Director of Integrated Urbanism, Arup UK;  Jerry Yudelson – Principal, Yudelson Associates USA
• Learn about the latest industry developments, techniques and strategies
• Network with global and domestic sustainability leaders
• Visit some of Melbourne’s latest Green Star certified buildings including CH2, The Gauge and Goods Shed North
• Brush up on your professional development at a Master Class

An innovative funding scheme for eco-visionary Australians

Got a big green idea? Need money to help it grow? Then the British Council wants to hear from you. The Big Green Idea is a new funding initiative from the British Council designed to help put eco-visionary ideas into action. For the first time, in 2009 we’re offering five project grants of AU$10,000 each to people who will make a real contribution to Australia’s environmental future. The Big Green Idea is designed to assist in initiating new projects that motivate people to minimise their own climate change impacts. We’re looking for eco-entrepreneurs with savvy ideas to address some of the biggest sustainability challenges faced by urban communities.

British Council Director Rebecca Matthews said: “More than half the world’s population now lives in cities and in East Asia alone, millions of people are moving to urban areas every month in search of better opportunities and lifestyles – and putting more strain on all elements of these environments. “The Big Green Idea is seeking ambitious community-based initiatives that not only educate, but provide people with tools and opportunities to make positive changes to the sustainability of their own community.” Specifically, grants will be provided to projects that help urban communities become more sustainable by: – Reducing waste – Coming-up with better ways of travelling and using transport – Reducing energy use – Becoming more efficient with water or, – Through sustainable design.

The Big Green Idea is a part of the British Council’s International Climate Champions programme that works in sixty countries across the globe, with people who are passionate and committed to action on climate change. International Climate Champions have the opportunity to meet with local and national leaders to share their experiences, and on occasion have the opportunity to express their views to world leaders at international meetings, such as the United Nations Conference on Climate Change in Copenhagen in December 2009. Successful Big Green Idea applicants will have the opportunity to take part in this global network, with opportunities for training and networking at global events announced throughout the year.

Applications are now open at www.biggreenidea.com.au and will close on Friday 4 December 2009.

For more information please contact info@biggreenidea.com.au or call (02) 9362 2022.

On October 24, join people all over the world to take a stand for a safe climate future.

This will be the most widespread day of climate action ever, with 158 countries participating and 3000+ actions planned to help ‘uncook the planet’ by setting a safer target of 350 parts per million CO2 in our atmosphere.

Visit www.350.org/map to find and RSVP for an action near you.

This movement has room for everyone

24 October won’t be like anything you’ve ever seen before–not just in terms of scope and scale, but in terms of diversity as well. 24 Oct events will be of every stripe and color–in addition to the thousands of amazing rallies, educational events, and protests, there will be unique contributions from unlikely places and people:

- The president of the Maldives, a near-extinct island-nation, will be holding a cabinet meeting underwater, complete with scuba gear and 350 banners.

- Afghan youth will be creating a giant chalk image of 350 on the side of a mountain in the Hindu Kush.

- Palestinian, Jordanian and Israeli activists will put aside political differences to push for a fair, ambitious and binding climate treaty. On the beaches of their respective shores of the Dead Sea, they will make a big 3, 5, and 0.

The media is getting very interested…

350 is gaining momentum in the mainstream media – what politicians use as the barometer of public opinion. The Washington Post, New York Times, BBC, CNN, are but a few sources covering the 350 movement this past week. And this is just a taste of the global & local media headlines we’re going to make together on the 24th-and beyond!

We’ve got the most powerful tool on the planet–the internet

Just a few years ago it would have been laughable to try to pull off a global campaign, in 10+ languages, with events in 150+ countries. Now, a web-powered campaign can harness video (like these animations), social networks (like our pages on Twitter and Facebook), e-mail (like this one), online maps, and more. And now you can help build this buzz online–take 15 seconds to emblazon your Twitter avatar or Facebook profile picture with a 350 badge.

The world will hear our call

350.org staff have got permission to display your 350 action photos & videos from around the world on the MASSIVE screens in Times Square, in the HEART of New York City. This is sure to reach world leaders: www.350.org/bigscreen

On the Monday after 24 October, the 350.org crew will be visiting UN headquarters in NYC to hand-deliver the photos to diplomats and delegates from around the world to make sure they know how much you want a global climate deal that meets the science.

Partners are pulling out all the stops

Al Gore invited his millions of email subscribers and 1.75 million Twitter followers to join or start actions around the world at 350.org. Read more about this exciting announcement here: www.350.org/gore

Other partners-from environmental groups like Greenpeace and 1Sky, to online powerhouses like Avaaz, to brand new coalitions like TckTckTck-are all coming forward in an unprecedented alliance to create a global climate movement. This movement is only possible because of a network of friends and allies around the world, including major international NGOs and local, grassroots organizations.

It’s not too late to join the action

The European team whipped up a “Quick & Easy” Action guide to help new organizers pull off a great 350 action just in time–check out all the great actions you can organize, even if you have only a week left before the big day: www.350.org/quick

Last week was “Blog Action Day” – an annual event when thousands of bloggers all over the world write about a single topic. This year’s subject: climate change. Over 7,000 blogs signed up, reaching 10+ million readers!If you have a blog and want to get involved just click here: www.350.org/bloggers

And speaking of good timing, it turns out the International Day of Climate Action just happens to take place on the internationally recognized “UN Day”, and the UN just happens to be a major target for the outpouring of action the world will see on October 24th. Perfect.

350 has gone mobile

Keep the movement in your pocket at www.350.org/mobile. Join the world’s first grassroots global SMS text messaging campaign.

Image: EcoCompactCity

Three of Post Carbon’s urban experts will feature in a special PostCarbon Institute evening event at the Resilient Cities: Urban Strategies for Transition Times conference October 20-22 in Vancouver, British Columbia.

The conference, featuring Paul Hawken, Majora Carter, and many other internationally-recognized speakers, will focus on how cities and urban regions in North America can prosper in the face of growing sustainability challenges. Participants will advance their thinking on three key subjects:
- best current practices for managing sustainable urban systems;
- capturing opportunities in the green economy; and
- strategies for building widespread sustainability collaborations.

The Post Carbon panel –a “shoulder event” the evening of Tuesday, October 20th–will be an honest conversation on what cities truly face in a world of growth limits, and what citizens and leaders can realistically do to cultivate local resilience. It features Bill Rees (Our Ecological Footprint), Anthony Perl (Transport Revolutions), and Warren Karlenzig (How Green is Your City?), and will be moderated by PCI Program Director Daniel Lerch (Post Carbon Cities).

“Resilient Cities” is organized by Gaining Ground in association with Smart Growth BC and the Canadian Society for Ecological Economics. Register for the conference.

Image: SMH

Conference: Climate Change Adaptation Futures: preparing for the unavoidable impacts of climate change
 29 June – 1 July 2010, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia

Co-hosted by Australia’s National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility and the CSIRO Climate Adaptation Flagship, this conference will be one of the first international forums to focus solely on climate impacts and adaptation.

 It will bring together scientists and decision makers from developed and developing countries to share research approaches, methods and results. It will explore the way forward in a world where impacts are increasingly observable and adaptation actions are increasingly required.

The Climate Adaptation Futures Conference will showcase leading impacts and adaptation research from around the world.

It will explore the contribution of adaptation science to planning and policy making, and how robust adaptation decision making can proceed in the face of uncertainty about climate change and its impacts.

Registrations open online Monday 31 August, 2009.

The Festival is hosted by the Australian Electric Vehicle Association (AEVA). There will be vehicles old and the new, including: a 1917 Detroit Electric and an ultra-new Tesla Roadster electric super car, plus old and new production and converted cars and bikes on display, stands, displays, fun for the kids – and lots, lots more. The event will coincide with Canberra’s annual floral festival, ‘Floriade’.

Date: 4th October, 2009 9 am – 4 pm

Venue: Old Parliament House Lawns, Canberra

More Info: http://CanberraEV.org/festival or contact: billgresham@ gmail.com

Source: Going Solar Transport Newsletter

With Sustainable September fast approaching, this event will discuss the issues surrounding Public Transport. The panel, including Senator Scott Ludlam (Greens) will discuss the topic of ‘Sustainable Cities’ and opportunities, pros and cons of new ‘sustainable’ transportation methods.  The event will be run in a ‘debate’ type forum, with a panel and chair leading the discussion, and opportunities for the audience to ask Panelists questions around the themes of discussion.

September 2 – 4:30pm for drinks and canapes

The Panel:

Senator Scott Ludlam – Australian Greens Senator for Western Australia

Senator Ludlam is the fifth Greens Senator for Western Australia and currently shares the balance of power in the Senate with four other Greens and two independent Senators.  He is the Australian Greens’ spokesperson for Broadband, Communications & the Digital Economy; Housing; Human Heritage; Legal Affairs; Local Government; Mining; Nuclear Issues; Public Transport; and Sustainable Cities.

Brian McMahon – Principal Planning Consultant on Parson Brinckerhoff’s PlaceMaking team.

He specializes in the integration of land use and transportation planning and developing strategies for smart growth and sustainable transportation for Transit Oriented Developments and knowledge-based centres. The success of his placemaking strategies are based on the concept of “moving people and moving minds” rather than “moving cars.”

Associate Professor Brad Pettitt – Dean of School of Sustainability at Murdoch University.

His teaching areas include sustainable development, international aid and development and local sustainability planning. He is also a Councillor at the City of Fremantle where he chairs the Urban Development Advisory Committee amongst others.

Andre Garnaut- Principal Sustainability Consultant EcoNomics Lead, Worley Parsons

Chair:

Craig Salt -  “Sustainable Consulting”

Bookings and further information here.

‘The Age of Stupid‘ is the new cinema documentary from the Director of ‘McLibel’ and the Producer of the Oscar-winning ‘One Day in September’.

This enormously ambitious drama-documentary-animation hybrid stars Oscar-nominated Pete Postlethwaite as an old man living in the devastated world of 2055, watching “archive” footage from 2008 and asking: why didn’t we stop climate change while we had the chance?

Australian and NZ premieres August 19th.

Australian screenings and booking information here.