Climate Action Merribek: people in Brunswick, Coburg, Fawkner and Glenroy wanting action on climate change

Regenerating Australia at Merlynston: visioning a net zero future

May 8, 2022 at 12:13 pm John Englart Leave a comment

On a Friday afternoon and evening threatening rain 80 people came together at Merlynston Progress Hall in North Coburg to watch the film Regenerating Australia by documentary film maker Damon Gameau (FB).

It was a capacity crowd for this community hall. We advertised to Come early for dinner from 5pm-6pm as Tuka Tuka KothuRoti Man was attending to supply some delicious food. The food met our expectations. Our choir entertainment had to sadly cancel due to isolation requirements.

Uncle Bill Nicholson of the Wurundjeri-Woiwarrang gave an inspiring welcome to Country at the start. Addressing reconciliation and justice is a vital part of climate action and restoring Australia to a society living within planetary Boundaries incorporating indigenous knowledge to manage country with respect.

The film is only 17 minutes long, but features a 4 minute introduction by Damon Gameau on the context for the documentary. It is a visioning exercise.

Produced in partnership with WWF-Australia, Regenerating Australia is set on New Year’s Eve 2029 and takes the form of a news bulletin looking back at the decade ‘that could be’. A decade that saw Australia transition to a fairer, cleaner, more community-focused economy.

Featuring Kerry O’Brien, Gorgi Coghlan, Sandra Sully, Tim Flannery, Larissa Behrendt, David Pocock and other well-known voices, the film is based on a four-month ‘listening campaign’ with a diverse group of Australians who shared their hopes and dreams for the country’s future.

Discussion on Regenerating Australia

The film screening was followed with a panel discussion and small group discussion.

Dr Dominique Hes has 25 years experience in green building and development innovation, she is chair of the board at Greenfleet and Zero Carbon Buildings Lead at the City of Melbourne. (Linked-in)

Peter Cowling – A passionate believer in renewable energy. His work in the area has focussed mostly on wind power, working with several wind turbine manufacturers over more than 20 years to contract and build a large proportion of Australia’s wind fleet. He is currently the Chair of the Clean Energy Council.

Tom Abbotsford Smith Youl – a regenerative farmer focused on supporting the soil food web, though planned rotational grazing, making bio-complete compost and applying these microbes to his soils. He produces nomadic eggs and beef which are delivered directly to his community. See Tom’s Paddock

Leanda Smith – is the daughter of a seamstress-upholstorer-gardener and a woodworker-mechanic-VERYhandyman, so she grew up aware of repair and restoration and the celebrated longevity of well made items. Now a wife and mother of two, she has been living a life where being low waste has been forefront in her family’s lifestyle for 7yrs now. She has also been active in the local community sharing skills and knowledge to help others make meaningful changes. (Instagram)

We thank our panel discussion leaders for stimulating discussion during the night.

Tea Break Actions

During a tea break we had posters scattered around the room, small actions people could take, or take home to do.

• Through Together We Can, send an easy, automated email to tell your MP why you care about climate change. 
• Sign up with Climate for Change to host a Climate C.A.F.E with some friends, colleagues, neighbours, or your sports team – online or in person.
• Check out the analysis of candidates and their party policies in the seat of Wills by John Englart, the convenor of Climate Action Moreland, and then share with people you know in Wills
• Create a NUCA Team! Customise climate action – make it local, fun and satisfying!

We came away feeling energised by both the film and the discussions. Change is already ocurring, but it requires the participation of all of us to bring about a zero emissions and sustainable Australia.

The latest IPCC 6th assessment Working Group III report on climate mitigation detailed there are solutions to transforming society to keep within Paris Agreement temperature targets. We can stay within planetary boundary limits and meet the social needs of all.

In the urban built environment change is already ocurring.

This free film screening and discussion was organised by Climate Action Moreland and Neighbours United for Climate Action. We acknowledge Regenerating Australia for this Community Screening and Zero Carbon Moreland program of Moreland Council for the venue.

Watch the Trailer:

Visit The Regenerators to organise a local community screening or to delve deeper into solutions.

Entry filed under: climate change info, election, Event, forum, news, Vote Climate. Tags: ausvotes, ausvotes2022, Merlynston, Net Zero, Regenerating Australia, visioning, willsvotes, willsvotes2022.