#regeneration — Public Fediverse posts

Croydon moves forward with updated Community Infrastructure Levy

Croydon Council is set to adopt an updated Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Charging Schedule, which will set the…
#London #Britain #UnitedKingdom #UK #GB #England #Headlines #News #Europe #EU #Croydon #CommunityInfrastructureLevy #regeneration
https://www.europesays.com/gbr/london/22518/

Regen Melbourne

I can’t believe I have not written about Regen Melbourne before. I have been loosely involved with them from the beginning and the crafting of their original co-created vision statement, based on Kate Raworth’s Doughnut Economics model. I have also had the pleasure of being part of some of their workshops, and they have also been of great help and support with my own personal regeneration project.

Over the years, Regen Melbourne’s work has steadily evolved and now coalesces around three key Earthshots. An Earthshot is a declaration of intent to solve complex social and ecological challenges. Earthshots recognise that social and ecological regeneration are inseparable. They set an ambition of possibility, coherence of a collective response, and agitation of the conditions we operate within. Earthshots are whole-of-city in scope, long-term in commitment, and open to many entry points.

Each Earthshot has six key qualities.

Wildly Ambitious

Because the scale of the challenges demand it. We are all invested in the social and ecological future of this place.

Systems-oriented

Looking at the conditions we need not just outputs. Oriented towards multi-benefits not single solutions.

Whole-of-city

No one organisation can own the scope of the Earthshot. We are interconnected, so too must our response be.

Coherence, not consensus

There is no blueprint. Forward-leaning action looks like smart collaboration, not waiting for everyone to agree.

Long-term and open

Committed to building broad support over time. An Earthshot is a platform for entry points, not a closed project.

Of and for Melbourne

These Earthshots are in service to place. They build on what makes this city thrive and centre care for our future.

The current Earthshots they are focussing on are:

Swimmable Birrarung
A thriving and swimmable Birrarung, from source to sea
300,000 Streets
A city of participatory and truly liveable streets
Nourished Neighbourhoods
A network of resilient local food economies across our city

You can find a load more about all of this on their website but what caught my eye recently was this particular article, The Power of Participation: Strengthening the civic muscle of Greater Melbourne. [LINK] The author, Joel Backwell, covers a lot of ground in this post talking about Participatory Urbanism in Melbourne, from “what we are seeing” now, to “where to from here”. For anyone living in Melbourne it’s a great snapshot of some of the wonderful projects and orgs operating on the ground and the work they are doing. The article asks the big questions about participation as well as explaining its importance. Something I have done in previous posts: HERE and HERE

“What we are interested in is how all this participation comes together, in service of Greater Melbourne. How intentional must we be in directing this participation towards influencing and shaping power? Or is it enough to just create opportunities for people to come together to discuss what matters to them and their neighbourhoods, and then let a thousand flowers bloom? Can we expect that participation, in response to societal and environmental challenges, will organically scale up to political action? Or will it require organisations like Regen Melbourne to help join the dots, bring these spheres of activity together and build new spaces and institutions for collaboration and collective decision-making at a city scale?“

I’ll wrap this up here because I hope I’ve given enough reasons to go and read the post and check out more about what Regen Melbourne is doing in general on their website here: https://regen.melbourne They have their fingers in a lot of pies, so for anyone interested in Climate Change, Social Justice, or Regeneration, you will find loads of stuff to dive into: Climate Change Exchange – Democracy Beyond the Ballot Box – Connected Corridors – School Streets

Other links

You can follow The REGEN Gazette here: https://regen.melbourne/the-gazette
The People’s Plan for Footscray https://peoplesplanfootscray.net/
McKinnon and Foundations for Tomorrow https://foundationsfortomorrow.org
Doing Co: https://doingco.org/

The Reason Many People Don’t Volunteer (It’s Not Time)

Last week I was sat in a room filled with a load of really passionate people who had come together to discuss creating a Community Newspaper. The ideas were flowing. The questions were flying about and the enthusiasm was there. But when it came to the crunch; “Hands up who wants to be part of the initial steering committee?” all that momentum came crashing to a halt. The hands did not come up.

It’s easy to think “Nobody has the time” and that’s the problem, but there is a bigger issue that holds people back. People don’t like to let other people down. Not wanting to let people down is perhaps a bigger barrier to getting people to volunteer than time.

This morning I got a very similar response talking to a gentleman about a regeneration project in my local park. He was initially reluctant to sign up because he just didn’t know if he could commit the time needed to the project. When I explained that he wasn’t obligated to come to every event and he could pick the ones that suited him, he was happy to sign up.

This is not a new observation to anyone working in this field. It’s called “commitment anxiety” or “anticipatory guilt.”: the fear that saying yes means taking responsibility for others’ expectations. When people worry about letting down their neighbours, friends, or community members who are counting on them, the social cost of failing outweighs the benefit of contributing.

On top of this there are a few other dimensions to this problem.

Social Risk vs. Practical Constraint: The “no time” explanation is socially safer. It’s concrete and feels less personal. Admitting fear of disappointing others would mean admitting vulnerability. So “time” becomes the convenient public reason while the real barrier sits beneath the surface.

Diffused Responsibility Paradox: Ironically, the stronger the group enthusiasm, the harder it can be for individuals to commit. When everyone seems passionate and capable, each person may think “someone else will take this lead.” The momentum of collective excitement can actually suppress individual action because nobody wants to stand out or fail publicly. This feels very much like what I experienced in the Community Newspaper meeting.

Perfectionism in Community Projects: Community initiatives carry emotional weight beyond transactional tasks. People worry they’ll damage relationships if the project struggles, not just that a deadline might be missed. That stakes-raising makes the ask more daunting than a typical volunteer opportunity.

So, is there anything we can learn from this? Are there any tips or tricks to get people to volunteer that sidestep these issues?

Small, time-bound trial commitments: EG “It’s just for 6 weeks, then we reassess” This lowers the perceived risk and gives people a really clear escape route, after 6 weeks. And then they can say “I don’t have time…” Instead of “join the steering committee,” try “come to one planning session next Thursday.” Each micro-commitment builds identity alignment and people start seeing themselves as someone who shows up. Once that self-image forms, larger commitments feel like a natural extension rather than a leap.

Making roles modular rather than monolithic: Let’s people contribute pieces without owning outcomes. Let’s people decide what they do, and when, so they feel like they are in control. Instead of giving people a task, ask them “What do you want to do?” and invite them to commit on their own terms. Also in an established organisation you can create a Shadowing Option so people can understand the scope before committing, offering a “shadow” role first.

Explicitly naming the fear: “I know saying yes feels daunting right now but…” This can reduce its power. Make it clear that quitting in 12 weeks is better than contributing nothing at all. Normalise exit on-ramps. Make leaving frictionless and guilt-free from the outset. Something like: “Anyone who joins the steering committee can step back at any point, no explanation needed.” When people know the door swings open both ways, commitment feels less like a trap. The irony is that making it easy to leave often makes people stay longer.

So that’s it. I wish I had all that in my head last week! For my Regen project simply getting people onto a mailing list is the big thing. Allowing people to passively sit in the background as potential volunteers until the day comes when they are in a position to volunteer pays off.

https://www.europesays.com/at/292858/ Vitamin D bei Hautschäden nach Chemo: Wirksamkeit in 87 % #AI #Allantoin #ARTIFICIALINTELLIGENCE #AT #Austria #Chemo #Dermatitis #Entzündung #Gesundheit #Haut #Hautbarriere #Health #Kaltplasma #KI #Krebs #KünstlicheIntelligenz #Makrophagen #Niacinamid #Österreich #Regeneration #Strahlentherapie #VitaminD

This morning, we had the privilege of educating young people on proper waste management and environmental responsibility. By empowering the next generation with sustainable habits, we are building cleaner communities and protecting our environment for the future. Every lesson shared today is a step toward lasting positive change.
#climate #environment #ecosystem #climatechange #nature #conservation #biodiversity #regeneration #ecology #afforestation #wastemanagement #sanitation #climatecrisis

Match-day Walton pub set for big change as announcement made on its future
https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/match-day-walton-pub-set-34255969
The Liverpool ECHO can confirm The Spellow pub has now been sold and its new owners have big plans for the site #EFC #Toffees #Liverpoolsoldproperties #propertynews #GoodisonPark #Regeneration #EvertonFC #Liverpool #Property #Walton

Beyond Economics: A New Lens on Climate Resilience
Every so often a new report comes out that reminds us all the climate crisis is a health crisis.
#ClimateChange #Environment #OurWonderfulGreenFuture #OWGF #Regeneration #StrongTowns #Urbanism
https://owgf.org/2026/06/10/beyond-economics-a-new-lens-on-climate-resilience/

One of the critical things we're trying to do is develop sensible animal feed formulations based on what grows *here* really well. Because we understand that there's a caloric issue: our limiting factor is animal feed, because the animal manure is the primary thing helping us to restore our native nitrogen cycles and grow food. Roots in the ground mean little if we can't get those roots going in the first place, and we need all of it for any of this to work.

There are more things that grow here really well that animals can easily convert to calories than us, like saltbrush, bromegrass, and bermudagrass (the latter are both invasive grasses) and many that both animals and humans benefit from like ricegrass (where cellulose-digesting animals can eat the grass and humans can eat the seedheads). Prickly pear cacti are a good source of vitamins, water, and other good stuff but require processing before feeding out, though they have a place in this too in my mind. The wild cottontails and jackrabbits eat young trees, and our rabbits can convert creosote and mesquite prunings to meat, which is crazy.

When we can extend our cultivable area beyond the initial dense gardens, the grasses and wildflowers that already grow here can establish themselves better under shade and start to develop a root mat that can stabilize the soil and make the land less hydrophobic. We hope this will have measurable effects on the groundwater levels over time as layers of root systems help bring the water back down into the earth rather than leaving it to run off and evaporate as it currently does. Establishing wildlands with savannah grasses, trees, cacti, and windbreak to preserve the moisture we can carefully and intensively graze a few small ruminants (NOT goats) to consume what we can't and mimick the herbivores that are supposed to engage in trample-eat-urinate-manure-move cycles to push the roots deeper - at that point we'll be moving into a kind of savannah version of the typical regenerative ag that folks like Savory have been championing, and which does really work once you get things growing season after season.

My guess is for the long term future all animals will be cut-and-carry fed through the summer for the land to rest in the dry season and this means probably planning to only keep breeding stock for this season, and a minimal chicken flock to manage for pests (usually these are worse in the summer than winter, even here).

I want to go into this more when there's more testing behind it and documented success. All I can say is right now we're making huge strides producing food here and moving towards a closed loop system faster than I thought possible. Still, ecological time is slow, so we must weather the next few years in order to prove this all!

#RanchoDeLaLibertad #RegenerativeAgriculture #Permaculture #ClosedCycle #ClosedLoopFarming #Land #Regeneration #ClimateJustice #FoodSovereignty

‘The environmental movement needs many hands’: saving Australia’s biodiversity is getting personal

Powered by individual donations and bequests, the country now has one of the world’s largest networks of privately protected and managed land

by James Norman, Fri 17 Apr 2026

Excerpt: "Over three decades later, #BushHeritage today owns and protects 45 bought or gifted bush reserves around #Australia – covering more than 1.4m hectares of land and providing habitat for over 9,000 native species. Working with #FirstNations communities and farmers, it supports the management of an additional 20.5m hectares beyond what it owns directly.

" 'Some of Australia’s most threatened and fragile #ecosystems and #wildlife sit outside of the national reserve system,' says Rachel Lowry, Bush Heritage Australia’s chief executive officer.

" 'They’re found on private land or pastoral country, and they may have deep cultural and ecological values, but they’re not protected from threats such as #LandClearing, #mining or #InvasiveSpecies.'

"The organisation reports a rise in the number of personal bequests, from 2,500 in 2022 to more than 4,600 bequests last year. Lowry puts the increase down to a personal desire to have a meaningful impact on the worsening global climate and #biodiversity crisis.

"Bush Heritage’s model has inspired other groups around Australia to acquire and conserve lands and forests of significant ecological value. One such example is the #NorthEastTasmania #LandTrust (#NETLT), which secretary Dr Christine Hosking describes as 'a microcosm of Bush Heritage'.

"Formed in 2009, the organisation manages donated land through weed control and regeneration of the native environment.

" 'Currently, we have 10 acres [4 hectares] of endangered eucalyptus forest in #BinalongBay that adjoins the #BayOfFires #Conservation Area, and a smaller patch of coastal habitat for the endangered swift parrot,' she says."

#SolarPunkSunday #LandConservation #EndangeredSpecies #ClimateCrisis #ProtectTheForest #ProtectTheForests #Regeneration #PreserveNature #Conservationists #IndigenousAustralians #TraditionalLandManagement

Eternal Security

This is also known as “once saved, always saved.” It’s the belief giving Christian believers with an absolute assurance of their final salvation.

Its development, especially in Protestantism, has given rise to a plethora of different interpretations. Especially when defining aspects of determinism, libertarian free will & the significance of personal perseverance.

In the early 5th century, Augustinian soteriology views of predestination by predetermination came about, they didn’t validate Eternal Security. Soteriology is the doctrine of salvation.

By the 16th century, this idea became meshed into the theology of John Calvin & other reformers. Calvinist circles initially embraced Eternal Security under the name of “perseverance of the saints.” Eventually, the name became a synonym of the Calvinist doctrine of perseverance independent of its practical interpretations.

Then in the early 20th century, Eternal Security started to become a defining doctrine of Southern Baptist traditionalism. Around the same time, it also became a part of Plymouth Brethren theology. In this, the 2 forms represents its main form today.

In the 1980s, the Free Grace movement voiced that Eternal Grace was independent of the idea of the “Hyper-Grace” idea.

Eternal Security is based on the faith that the believer is an elect by divine determination. This is in Calvinist circles & has the minority worldview.

In some non-Calvinist circles & the prevailing worldview, Eternal Security is based on the faith that regeneration leads to unconditional perseverance & then salvation.

In other non-Calvinist circles & currently growing in the Free Grace views, Eternal Security is based on the faith that regeneration leads to salvation independent of perseverance.

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#16thCentury #1980s #5thCentury #Augustinians #Calvinist #Christian #Determinism #DivineDetermination #Early20thCentury #EternalSecurity #FreeGraceMovement #HyperGrace #JohnCalvin #LibertarianFreeWill #Perseverance #PerseveranceOfTheSaints #PlymouthBrethen #Predestination #Protestantism #Reformers #Regeneration #Salvation #Soteriology #SouthernBaptist #SouthernBaptistTraditionalism

A passionate, provocative, and very nuanced take on whether or not it is ethical to keep livestock just sent out to subscribers. I've thought about this for years, and hope that my thoughts spur your own pontification on your relationships with all animals - pets included - and the broader context you live in.

Please consider subscribing and sharing if this is valuable, to help support our mission.

Thank you as always, I look forward to hearing your thoughts!

https://rancholibertad.com/on-the-ethics-of-livestock/

#Livestock #Animals #AnimalRights #Regeneration #RegenerativeAg #Agriculture #Farming #Homesteading #SmallFarm #RanchoDeLaLibertad #CommunitySovereignty #Environment

Kommt der #Kipppunkt, an dem #Chaos in #Systemversagen / #Systemzusammenbruch mündet, gibt es einen #Wandel des #System​s z.B. hin zu #repressiv​er #Unterdrückung unter #Bedingungen #elend​em #Prekariat​s, oder #regeneriert sich das #System durch #innovativ​e #Anpassung an seine sich #verändernde #Umwelt? (vermutlich alles drei #gleichzeitig)

https://ifwo.eu/@sozialwelten/114782207335088635

#prekär #Repression #Regeneration #Adaptabilität #Krise #Klimakrise

Hedonistic Sustainability: Building a SolarPunk City 

The real value of the SolarPunk movement has always been in making a sustainable future look desirable. No one is going to buy into the idea of a sustainable future if it looks like a worse version of the world we live in right now. So if we are to build sustainable cities, they really need to be both sustainable and more enjoyable to live in than the cities and societies we have today.

In Copenhagen, Denmark they have an approach to architecture called Hedonistic Sustainability. This approach has been championed by Architect Bjarke Ingels who seeks to make sustainability both more desirable and more fun. Instead of architects and planners saying no to the local community and sustainability demands, Bjarke Ingels’ philosophy is to say yes. Through his work he has created a manifesto for inclusion where the demands of the people and the needs of the environment are put at the forefront of the decision making process, not at the back. What has resulted from this thinking is a number of transformative projects that tick both sustainability and liveability boxes and embody many of the principles of SolarPunk.

Havnebadet Islands Brygge is one example of this. Formally an industrial harbour, the area was transformed into a clean, swimmable public space, after extensive environmental remediation. The site features multiple pools and diving platforms, constructed from renewable Scandinavian wood and built on removable pontoons. This project not only revitalised the waterfront but also enhanced community well-being, making it a vibrant hub for recreation and social interaction in the heart of the city.

All images via: https://www.destinationdaydreamer.com/

As part of the transformation of Copenhagen’s North Harbour many of the pre-existing buildings were kept. The architects wanted to showcase the beauty of the existing buildings by preserving and transforming them. The city chose to give the buildings a new purpose, instead of pulling them down completely. The philosophy embraces the idea of “one person’s trash is another person’s treasure.” Not allowing developers to pull a building down unless they have made sure nobody else wants it or can do something good with it.  An example of this is Silo. A 17-storey former grain silo and the largest industrial building in the area was transformed into residential apartments and a space for public functions. 

The idea of retrofitting instead of rebuilding is a core principle of SolarPunk. It’s great to see it being put into practice and working, which proves that SolarPunk principles are both viable and popular.

Another initiative running in Copenhagen is the Reduction Roadmap, which identifies where we are today, where we need to go, and how quickly we must reduce our environmental impact to stay within Earth’s safe operating space. It offers science-based transformation tools and a call to action for the Danish building industry and politicians, aiming to align all stakeholders with the physical limits of the Paris Agreement and Planetary Boundaries. This initiative has produced an excellent report that can be downloaded for free at: https://reductionroadmap.dk/beyond-the-roadmap.

To get to a SolarPunk future we need to prove that sustainable can be desirable and more fun. That we can build in a cost-effective way and people will want to live in these spaces. That is what Copenhagen is doing here. It’s not the end game but it is a good step towards a SolarPunk future. We need to shake off that sustainable image that has always felt like sacrifice and “doing without.” A sustainable future should mean a much better future for all, which is something I write about all the time on this blog. Freed from the consumerist rat race and the tyranny of materialism, we can transform our industrial cities into sustainable green, vibrant communities with safe streets for play and a renewed sense of connection and belonging.

–

Featured image is from here: https://www.copenhagenislands.com/ Which is an interesting project and worth checking out. 

This post was created in #WordPress and can be viewed in the #Fedivers at: @[email protected]

OWGF has a Fediverse companion profile at: https://mastodon.world/@OWGF

OWGF is also on #Pixelfed here: https://pixelfed.social/OWGF

Fediverse Reactions

#Copenhagen #Denmark #Environment #OurWonderfulGreenFuture #Regeneration #SolarPunk #StrongTowns #sustainability #Urbanism

Participatory Urbanism: A beginners guide

I recently did a speech to my local Rotary Club about a Participatory Urbanism project I am working on. To my surprise, the audience appeared equally interested in the whole Participatory Urbanism concept, as much as the project itself. So I thought it would be good to put together a quick explainer, which I can point people to, if they are interested.

Participatory Urbanism is an approach to city planning and development that actively involves citizens in the decision-making processes, right from the start, to create more inclusive, responsive, and sustainable urban environments.

Urban planning, once the exclusive domain of architects, developers, and policymakers, is slowly opening its doors to the people who live in the neighbourhoods they are shaping. This movement—known as Participatory Urbanism—is about putting residents at the centre of urban change. Unlike what we see right now, where residents are on the periphery of any decision making.

Participatory Urbanism invites community members to co-create the future of their cities. It moves beyond consultation into real collaboration, where local knowledge, lived experiences, and collective imagination become essential tools in the planning process. Whether it’s redesigning a park, rethinking traffic flow, or creating more inclusive public spaces, the goal is to make cities not just more efficient—but more just, vibrant, and responsive to human needs.

This approach goes by many names. You might hear it called “collaborative urbanism”, “community-led planning”, or “co-design”. In digital spaces, it intersects with “civic tech” and the “smart citizen” movement, where data and tools empower residents to advocate for better services. In the physical world, it often overlaps with “tactical urbanism”—those DIY, grassroots projects that temporarily transform urban spaces to test new ideas.

What unites all these threads is a simple but powerful belief: the people who live in a place are experts in their own right. By making space for their voices, we build not just better cities—but stronger communities.

Right now we get community participation really, really wrong. Most civic systems are hierarchical, with decisions made by a few “experts” behind closed doors. Public participation is often tokenistic—last-minute, limited, and on the civic leaders’ terms. It feels disingenuous, formal, and uninspiring, excluding genuine input and creativity. The same voices dominate, while people are sidelined and are not truly at the centre of decision-making.

Participatory Urbanism ultimately means reimagining our cities as places shaped by the people who live in them. It shifts power from top-down planning to collaborative processes where residents have a real say in decisions that affect their daily lives. This approach fosters more inclusive, equitable, and responsive urban environments by valuing local knowledge, creativity, and lived experience. When communities co-create their neighbourhoods—whether through planning, design, or stewardship—cities become more vibrant, just, and resilient. Participatory urbanism is about putting people at the heart of urban change, ensuring cities are not just built for communities, but built with them.

There is no one single way to implement Participatory Urbanism. Lots of cities are trying to do it right now and we see lots of different ideas and models emerging. In reality there never should be one single approach/method/model because that flies in the face of the whole idea of consulting local residents. An approach that suits one city may not work in another. Fortunately there are lots of examples we can look at from around the world, and take inspiration from. I wrote about Bologna, Italy’s approach here: https://owgf.org/2024/08/02/should-we-follow-bolognas-model-for-participatory-urbanism/ There is also the Transition Network working on providing ideas for communities that want to organise, which I posted about here: https://owgf.org/2024/08/04/transition-togethers-free-step-by-step-guide/ Also a quick web search for “Participatory Urbanism Tools” will deliver more results than you can poke a stick at.

Our Wonderful Green Future will be a co-designed by the people, for the people.

This post was created in #WordPress and can be viewed in the #Fedivers at: @[email protected]

OWGF has a Fediverse companion profile at: https://mastodon.world/@OWGF

OWGF is also on #Pixelfed here: https://pixelfed.social/OWGF

#Environment #OurWonderfulGreenFuture #OWGF #Regeneration #SolarPunk #StrongTowns #sustainability #Urbanism

Our May newsletter just went out, a practical guide to building infrastructure in consideration of the whole.

However you seek to do better in your world: create a compost scheme, set up solar, raise your own animals, build out a garden, or rework your home to be more efficient, this newsletter is a guide to designing your systems better.

https://rancholibertad.com/in-consideration-of-the-whole/

If you have any tips to add, feel free to leave a comment, and if you find it useful consider sharing with a friend. Paid subscribers are one way we seek to keep the Ranch afloat, so every share and dollar really counts.

Thank you all ~

#ClimateChange #DirectAction #RegenerativeAg #SystemDesign #EcoInfrastructure #CommunityDevelopment #RanchoDeLaLibertad #Regeneration #Mojave #SouthernCalifornia #JoshuaTree

Ever wondered why fish and some other non mammals can regenerate their retina but we can’t? Treasure Adenusi says Swiss scientists might be close to an answer… https://medicalnewsbulletin.com/novel-stem-cells-discovered-in-human-retina/ #retinopathy #regeneration 🧬 🩺,⚕️ #Neuroscience #VisionScience 🧪

Feels very topical in 2025!
#Biodiversity #ClimateChange #ClimateCrisis #Ecosystem #Egosystem #Environment #OurWonderfulGreenFuture #OWGF #Regeneration #SolarPunk #Sustainability https://owgf.org/2025/02/15/moving-from-an-egosystem-to-an-ecosystem/

Moving from an Egosystem to an Ecosystem

In an Egosystem, the individual is seen as the centre of the universe. Success is defined solely by personal achievement, and the value of community, empathy, and shared prosperity are all relegated to the background. The Egosystem is a world view where people are encouraged to compete at all costs, accumulate wealth for themselves, and put their own interests above the well-being of others. The net result of this system is ever widening inequality, social injustice, environmental degradation and a deep sense of disconnection from one another.

In complete contrast, the Ecosystem is a world view grounded in cooperation, shared responsibility, and mutual benefit. It recognises that our individual fates are intertwined with those of others, and that a healthy planet and society require collective effort. In the natural world, ecosystems thrive because every part – whether plant, animal, or microorganism – plays a role in maintaining balance. Humans are not separate from planetary ecosystems. We are not isolated entities, but part of a larger whole, with each of us contributing to the well-being of the entire system. (Or destruction!)

The Egosystem is a fundamentally unsustainable system that inevitably leads to collapses. If history has taught us just one lesson it is, never give too much power to one individual or group. This concentration of power, whether in monarchies, authoritarian regimes, or empires, leads to corruption, exploitation, and instability, as unchecked control favours personal interests over the collective good. The unchecked human ego is a dangerous force that can drive individuals or groups to justify any means to achieve their desires, regardless of the cost to others. This inflated sense of self-importance has fuelled wars, from religious crusades to imperial conquests, causing violence and devastation. Leaders consumed by their own egos dismiss human life and use violence for dominance. 

The history lessons are clear: a healthy society thrives on balance, accountability and the dispersion, of power ensuring no one can impose their will unchecked. Whenever we give too much power and allow egos to grow, the consequences are catastrophic, deepening divisions and creating widespread harm. While the pendulum has very much swung towards the Egosystem, over the last few decades, we can look forward to the pendulum swinging back towards an Ecosystem in the not so distant future. To embrace the Ecosystem is to embrace the idea that we are all interconnected – that our actions, both positive and negative, have far-reaching consequences. It is a shift from seeing the world through the lens of competition and self-interest to seeing it through the lens of collaboration and interdependence. This means recognising that prosperity is not just for the few, but for the many. It means understanding that taking care of others, supporting the most vulnerable, and ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to succeed is not only ethical but necessary for long-term stability. 

The Benefits of Embracing the Ecosystem

The benefits of adopting the Ecosystem world view are profound. An Ecosystem creates a more just and equitable society. In an ecosystem, resources are shared and distributed in a way that supports the well-being of all its members. It’s a world where no one is left behind, inequality is reduced, and opportunities for personal growth and success are more widely accessible, because the system is helping everyone, not just a privileged few.

Embracing an Ecosystem approach leads to greater environmental sustainability. The exploitation of the Earth’s resources for individual gain without regard for long-term consequences has led to this climate crisis, biodiversity loss and environmental degradation. Recognising we live in an Ecosystem means recognition that we are stewards of this planet. To care for the Earth is to care for ourselves. By focusing on sustainable practices, regeneration, and reducing our collective environmental footprint, we can restore balance and create a healthier world for future generations.

The Ecosystem fosters greater social cohesion and solidarity. When we prioritise the communal good, we begin to heal the divisions that have fractured many societies around the globe. Whether it’s through universal healthcare, social safety nets, or fair wages, creating systems that ensure everyone has a stake in society builds trust and mutual respect. A society that values community over competition is a society that thrives.

The Ecosystem is not centrally controlled. In nature it is guided by fundamental laws of physics and planetary boundaries, but there is no “ruler.” A social Ecosystem is guided by basic principals, that support the concept, with as much decision making as possible being made at a “community” level. Human activities that cause the most environmental damage are considered less desirable than activities that minimise environmental damage. Actions that are less exploitative are considered more desirable than actions that blatantly exploit. Human endeavours that benefit both the individual and the whole are more desirable than endeavours that just benefit the individual.

A Better Future for All

The important thing for us to do is make sure the Egosystem never dominates the public realm and how we govern our nations and our planet. Our Wonderful Green Future is not one where the individual stands alone, isolated in their pursuit of wealth and power. It is one where we embrace the Ecosystem – a world built on cooperation, mutual respect, and shared responsibility. By prioritising the well-being of all over the interests of a few, we can create a more just, sustainable, and prosperous world for everyone.

Living in an Ecosystem does not mean giving up freedom, individuality or autonomy. Just the opposite. It simply recognises that individuality exists as part of a bigger whole, not completely separate from it. Freedom of expression, individuality, uniqueness and diversity are all celebrated in an Ecosystem, much more than they are in an authoritarian Egosystem that demands compliance and uniformity. The Ecosystem fully embraces human creativity and encourages it to flourish. This is the opposite of an Egosystem where the creativity and imagination of an individual is crushed and replaced with that of the leader. The Ecosystem does not completely deny the ego, or some degree of selfishness, it’s just they are recognised as PART of a bigger Ecosystem, not completely separate, and of greater importance. People are encouraged to build their personal “wealth” but not though the exploitation of the environment or to detriment of others.

The Egosystem has become the dominant world view since the 1980’s but it has led us to the brink of a poly crisis. It has fuelled inequality, environmental destruction, and the rise of deadly ideologies. Ecosystem thinking offers a better way forward that restores balance, nurtures our planet, and fosters community. It is time for us to embrace this vision, for the good of all. Our Wonderful Green future depends on this and it really is the only way to escape the endless cycle of destruction, exploitation and violence we see in the world today.

The only reason we exist is because of our Planetary Ecosystem. Without it there would be no humans and no egos. Diversity is our strength. Just as ecosystems in nature rely on balance, so too does humanity. To thrive, we must recognise that without the health of the whole, there is no individual success. Only through cooperation and Ecosystem thinking do we build a better future. 

Note:

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#Biodiversity #CircularEconomy #ClimateChange #ClimateCrisis #Ecosystem #Egosystem #Environment #OurWonderfulGreenFuture #OWGF #Regeneration #SolarPunk #sustainability

African’s quiet energy and environmental revolution

A quiet revolution is underway in Africa that appears to be going mostly unnoticed by the rest of the world. A green revolution in energy, transport and regeneration. A revolution that has the potential to unlock A Wonderful Green Future for the people of Africa.

Of all the sectors driving Africa’s clean energy and environmental transformation, two-wheel transport stands out as the most dynamic and rapidly evolving. Africa is currently experiencing a surge in homegrown motorcycle designers and manufacturers, with at least 10 companies now in operation. These bikes have all been designed in Africa, for African conditions. Just six years ago the nascent bike industry was developing modified ICE bikes with hub motors. After six years of dedicated learning and continuous improvement, they present the latest generation of bikes that we see today. Some are made abroad, some built locally with imported parts, some have developed their own battery technology and some are developing their own battery swapping ecosystems. Many of the manufacturers have been smart in using common parts from the most popular ICE bikes. Leavers, brakes, forks wheels, etc. which means spare parts are abundant. This makes it easier to tap into existing supply chains and start new businesses and manufacturing, developed around common parts. This builds more resilience into the system, creates more local jobs and keeps more money in local economies.

Some of the standout manufacturers leading this surge include:

Spiro – Nairobi, Kenya. 

Spiro is Africa’s leading electric vehicle manufacturer, currently operating over 20,000 electric motorbikes across nine African countries including Benin, Togo, Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Ghana, Cameroon, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The company has established its own network with over 600 battery swapping stations. (https://www.spironet.com)

Roam  – Nairobi, Kenya.

Roam, a Swedish-Kenyan electric mobility company, has established itself as a pioneer in Africa’s sustainable transportation sector. The company designs and manufactures electric motorcycles tailored for African conditions, with its flagship model, the Roam Air. Roam has raised over $31.5 million in funding, including a recent $24 million Series A round, positioning itself for significant expansion across the continent. It has also developed its own battery swapping system and charging facilities. (https://www.roam-electric.com) 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3m6UGDhJ6_M

Kofa – Ghana

Kofa, a Ghanaian clean-tech startup, has developed a multi-use, high-capacity battery system called Kore2, alongside an innovative battery swapping network. Kofa’s business model focuses on creating an affordable and customer-driven electricity network powered by portable batteries and renewable energy. In partnership with TAIL-G, a globally recognised e-motorcycle manufacturer, Kofa has designed the Jidi e-motorcycle specifically for the African market, offering a range of over 100km. (https://www.kofa.co) 

Ampersand – Rwanda 

Ampersand is a pioneering electric motorcycle startup based in Kigali, Rwanda, transforming urban transportation through its innovative battery swapping technology. Founded in 2019, the company has rapidly scaled from 20 initial e-motos to become a significant player in East Africa’s emerging electric vehicle market. Its battery swapping system, allows motorcycle taxi drivers to exchange depleted batteries for fully charged ones in under two minutes. This approach solves critical challenges of electric vehicle adoption in Africa: charging time and infrastructure limitations. (https://www.ampersand.solar) 

What Ampersand is doing also ties in with other African EV leadership and the phasing out of petrol motorcycles, which I wrote about here: https://owgf.org/2024/11/07/kigalis-bold-move-phasing-out-petrol-powered-motorcycles/. From January 1st, 2025, only electric motorcycles can be registered in Rwanda.

Zembo – Kampala, Uganda 

Founded in 2018, Zembo is a pioneering e-mobility startup based in Kampala, Uganda. The company designs, assembles, and sells electric motorcycles tailored for the African market, particularly targeting the popular “boda boda” (motorcycle taxi) sector. Zembo’s business model combines affordable electric motorcycles with a battery-as-a-service (BaaS) approach, utilising a network of solar-powered battery swapping stations across Uganda.  (https://www.zem.bo/)

Other manufacturers of note include: https://www.max.ng – https://www.ewaka.tech –  https://greenfoot.africa – https://www.ecobodaa.bike and I should make an honourable mention to the electric three wheelers which are now getting more popular: https://cleantechnica.com/2024/09/19/electric-3-wheeler-sales-reach-1-market-share-in-kenya/

Ethiopia’s ban on ICEV

To match all of this innovation, some countries are backing it up with new laws to curb the consumption of fossil fuels. Ethiopia has become the first country in the world to implement an immediate ban on the import of internal combustion engine vehicles, allowing only electric vehicles to enter the country. This bold move, announced by Ethiopia’s Minister of Transport and Logistics, aims to reduce the nation’s reliance on fossil fuel imports, which cost nearly $6 billion last year, and promotes the adoption of electric vehicles in line with the country’s green development goals. (CleanTechnica.com) Currently the main issues are training mechanics to work on EVs and charging infrastructure. Most vehicles are either charged at home or at work and there is little in the way of public rapid charging.

Other EV initiatives

While China has been very active in the EV market recently, Africa’s electrification is also being noticed by a few European EV makers, from big to small. New EV designs that specifically cater for African conditions are being developed which will only make adoption more likely.

Volkswagen Group Africa has officially commenced operations at its new multifunctional facility in Gashora, Rwanda, aimed at testing modern farming techniques using electric tractors as part of the innovative GenFarm project. This initiative is designed to create a sustainable ecosystem for mechanised farming in rural Africa, enhancing agricultural productivity while promoting environmental sustainability and clean energy solutions (https://kigalijournal.com/volkswagen-group-africa-launches-facility-for-e-tractors-in-rwanda/)

Also there is OX Delivers. An electric truck that is a purpose-built, flat-pack vehicle specifically designed for African road conditions, featuring high ground clearance and a sturdy construction that can handle unpaved roads and challenging terrain. With a 74-KWh battery providing over 90 miles of range, and a unique truck-as-a-service model, the OX electric truck aims to revolutionise transportation and logistics for smallholder farmers and businesses across East Africa. What OX is doing is very different to other EV makers and it’s worth watching this excellent video from Fully Charged about them: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMIcmYOBd-E )

Renewable Energy 

Outside of transport there is now lots of activity in the clean energy sector. Energy independence is absolutely crucial for Africa due to the high costs of fossil fuel imports and the impact on balance of trade payments. The majority of African countries are net energy importers, with 38 nations relying heavily on imported fossil fuels[2]. This dependence exposes African nations to volatile global oil prices, jeopardising their balance of payments positions and eroding economic prosperity. As the cost of imported energy continues to increase, government subsidies in some African countries have tripled in recent years, reaching record highs and further straining national budgets[6]. By achieving energy independence, through renewable resources, African nations can reduce their vulnerability to price fluctuations, improve their trade balances, and redirect funds towards sustainable development rather than fossil fuel imports[3][4]. 

This means that right across Africa many leaders are pushing for as much new renewable energy as possible. The continent’s installed renewable capacity is set to grow from 54 GW in 2020 to more than 530 GW by 2040, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), with solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity soaring to 340 GW and wind energy rising to 90 GW. 

All across Africa there are 100’s of projects in development or under construction. From truly massive projects like the G5 Sahel Desert to Power Project, a $10 billion project aiming to add 10 GW of solar capacity across 11 Sahel countries[4], to much smaller but also very important projects like the Roggeveld Wind Farm (South Africa). A 147 MW project owned by Red Rocket[5][6]. While the larger African economies are getting the most projects there is activity right across the continent.

Africa Minigrid Program 

What is just as exciting is the Africa Minigrid Program. This approach to energy production and consumption brings affordability, resilience and energy independence down to the micro level. Villages, communities and homes that have never been able to connect to the main grid, due to cost, are now being connected up to micro grids. 80% of people in sub-Saharan Africa don’t have access to clean, safe fuels and technologies for cooking. That represents 923 million people. Many rely on noisy, inefficient, expensive and polluting generators for electricity production. The roll out of minigrids and other adjacent technologies like P2P energy trading will change all this.

I wrote about one such project in Zimbabwe here (https://owgf.org/2024/10/29/zimbabwe-solar-mini-grid/) You can read more about the Africa Minigrid Program here: https://africaminigrids.org/category/news/  This is a relatively new development but more projects like this are due to happen in 2025.

Regeneration

Outside the clean energy revolution there are numerous regeneration initiatives happening across Africa. Desertification is a critical issue affecting Africa, with 45% of the continent’s land area currently impacted and 55% of this affected land is at high or very high risk of further degradation. This widespread land degradation threatens the livelihoods of millions who depend on the land for subsistence. The solution to this problem is regeneration on a massive scale. 

The Great Green Wall

No other African environmental project has been more talked about than The Great Green Wall. This African-led initiative is aiming to restore 100 million hectares of degraded land across the Sahel region, with the goal of combating desertification, sequestering 250 million tonnes of carbon, and creating 10 million green jobs by 2030. The project is currently about 15% complete and has already restored 18 million hectares of land and is transforming the lives of millions by creating a mosaic of green and productive landscapes across 11 countries, from Senegal in the West to Djibouti in the East. https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/green-wall-promote-peace-and-restore-nature-africas-sahel-region  

Food Forests

Part of the Great Green Wall initiative involves the creation of food forests. At the heart of this initiative lies small quarter-acre plots that encapsulates the project’s essence. These tiny pieces of land can provide everything a family needs, from building materials to food production, habitat, and temperature regulation. I wrote about this in a previous post here: https://owgf.org/2023/12/02/how-8000-food-forests-grew-africas-great-green-wall/

Earth Smiles

One of the main techniques for regeneration is the use of water bunds, or as they are more affectionately know as “Earth Smiles.” This is an innovative environmental initiative aimed at regreening degraded landscapes in sub-Saharan Africa. These water bunds are semi-circular pits designed to capture and retain rainwater, preventing it from running off and being wasted. By slowing down water flow and allowing it to infiltrate the soil, these bunds help restore moisture to arid lands, promoting vegetation growth and improving biodiversity. The approach emphasises community involvement, ensuring that those most affected by environmental degradation actively participate in reversing it. Through this grassroots approach, “Earth Smiles” are transforming barren landscapes into thriving ecosystems while addressing climate change at both local and global levels. Permaculture instructor Andrew Millison has made an excellent video on them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbBdIG–b58

AFR100

Another massive regeneration initative is African Forest Landscape Restoration Initiative (AFR100) A country-led effort to restore 100 million hectares of deforested and degraded landscapes across Africa by 2030. With 33 African nations committed and 129 million hectares pledged for restoration, AFR100 leverages local expertise and a network of technical and financial partners to implement thousands of community-led projects, addressing issues such as food security, climate change resilience and rural poverty through sustainable landscape restoration practices. Their website is filled with hundreds of projects that have already been undertaken. https://afr100.org/

Wrapping up

While there is clearly lots of great things happening in Africa, it isn’t all rosy on the environmental front. There is still considerable destruction happening, especially with logging and deforestation, which remain a big concern. Also despite all the new Renewables projects, fossil fuels consumption is still growing. On top of this nations are increasingly being affected by global heating and extreme weather. A Wonderful Green Future is not assured, but as this article points out, there is a way forward emerging. This post has only scratched the surface on all the environmental projects happening in Africa. As more projects happen, more knowledge is shared, more people see what is possible, get involved, and then hopefully this quiet revolution will pick up pace.

A huge thank you to Remeredzai Joseph Kuhudzai for chatting to me about his on the ground experience in Africa. You can see his work here: https://cleantechnica.com/author/remeredzaijosephkuhudzai/

Other links of interest:

Africa Aid: https://nation.africa/kenya/life-and-style/dn2/the-myth-about-aid-how-africa-is-losing-out-as-donors-reap-big-time–1010542

Justdiggit is a non-profit organisation  supporting the earth smiles initiative – https://justdiggit.org/

Other information on restoring ecosystems in Africa via the UN. – https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/africa-restoring-ecosystems-central-green-recovery

Introduction to Africa’s green revolution – https://www.green.earth/blog/carbon-ar-afforestation-reforestation-projects-africa

Some thoughts on China’s role in Africa: https://theconversation.com/chinas-interests-in-africa-are-being-shaped-by-the-race-for-renewable-energy-237679

Rwanda announces master plan for EV infrastructure – https://www.electrive.com/2024/12/04/rwanda-announces-master-plan-for-ev-infrastructure/

#Africa #Agriculture #Biodiversity #climateChange #ClimateAction #ElectricMotorbikes #Electrification #Environment #news #OurWonderfulGreenFuture #Regeneration #renewableEnergy #sustainability

Following on from my Net Zero Cities Infographic, I thought I would knock up another one for Regional Communities, with a focus on Australia. As Australia moves towards a Net Zero future, regional communities stand on the brink of a transformative era. This shift promises not only environmental benefits but also significant economic opportunities that can reshape rural Australia. As the Fossil Fuels Industry and its political “allies” lobby hard to stop this change, it’s worth taking a moment to stop and look at the many benefit this transition can potentially bring, if managed properly, and if we stop listening to disingenuous narratives about Net Zero.

Economic Stability

One of the most under-reported advantages of this transition is economic stability. Regional communities will no longer be subject to the fluctuations of global fossil fuel prices, thanks to investments in renewables and electric vehicles, where the capital cost can be fixed over decades. No more energy price hikes when global conflicts arise, resulting in greater economic resilience.

Affordable Renewable Energy

With the expansion of rooftop and ground solar, and partnerships with renewable energy developers, residents can look forward to year-round access to affordable electricity. This abundance of cheap energy will not only lower utility bills but will also provide a reliable power source for new local industries that can also thrive thanks to cheap renewables energy.

Enhancing Productivity

The integration of farming with renewable energy will enhance land productivity. Agrivoltaics is an innovative approach that allows for dual use of land, where agriculture and energy generation co-exist, leading to more efficient land use and increased yields. Land owners hosting renewables will be both farmers and energy producers.

Job Creation

The transition to a Net Zero economy has the potential to create over a million new jobs across Australia, particularly in regional areas. These jobs will span a range of sectors, from construction to maintenance, ensuring a diverse and sustainable employment landscape. These are not boom and bust jobs but long term and well paid.

Cleaner Air and Health Benefits

Moving away from fossil fuels will lead to significant public health benefits. Air pollution from burning coal is responsible for approximately 800 deaths each year in Australia, along with numerous other health issues. Transitioning to cleaner energy sources will improve air quality and health outcomes for communities living near coal power stations, fracking sites and oil & gas wells.

Energy Security

Locally generated and locally stored energy will bolster energy security, creating a more reliable local grid less prone to blackouts. This increased reliability is crucial for both residents and businesses, enhancing overall community resilience. Regional communities will no longer endure weeks without power when a pylon gets blown over.

Investment in Communities

Renewable energy developers are committing to investing in local infrastructure. This includes building new schools and hospitals, which are vital for community development and wellbeing. Additionally, these investments can address all manner of pressing local issues, such as youth crime prevention and the establishment of new libraries and aged care facilities.

Cleaner Water and Environmental Restoration

Coal mining and fracking have severely compromises water quality in parts of Australia, leading to pollution that affects groundwater and surface water sources, with detrimental impacts on both ecosystems and community health. Ending coal mining and fracking will lead to cleaner water sources, improving groundwater quality and river health.

New Industries

Abundant renewable energy will attract thousands of new industries to regional Australia, looking for cheap reliable power. We will see a rise in many new low carbon industries such as precision agriculture, fossil free fertilisers as well as large electrification support industry.

Local Investment

A significant shift will occur in spending habits. Billions of dollars previously spent on imported petrol, diesel & electricity will be spent in local businesses. This redirection of money will invigorate regional economies, creating a more sustainable financial ecosystem.

Regeneration

Net Zero will mean moving away from systems that are continually depleting natural capital, to systems that are restoring organic life. We will see the regeneration of regional landscapes, that will revitalise ecosystems, enhance biodiversity and restore natural habitats. Regeneration will boost local economies by improving agricultural productivity, and increasing resilience against climate change.

What’s not to like?

We are at the start of a Climate Crisis that is already causing untold harm to Regional Australia, and as temperatures rise, things are set to get much worse. All Australians have a chance to be part of the solution, to create a Wonderful Green Future, if we just stop listening to fossil fuels lobbyists and their politicians. The quicker we change the better and really, we don’t have a choice. “The future will be Net Zero or not at all.”

Despite what the Fossil Fuels lobbyists and their Politicians say Net Zero is a huge opportunity for Regional Australia. The journey towards a Net Zero future will involve many significant changes for regional Australia, but it is a change filled with promise. Communities that embrace clean energy and climate action stand to gain billions in economic benefits, new job opportunities, and improved health outcomes. By capitalising on these developments, regional communities can evolve from energy importers to energy producers, paving the way for a prosperous and sustainable future.

There are 1000’s of people and organisations across Australia working on this vision, here a few of note:

Farmers For Climate Action

BZE

Re-alliance

Climate Council

The Coalition for Community Energy (C4CE)

Climate Action Network Australia

Clean Energy Council

Photo by Kshithij Chandrashekar on Unsplash

https://owgf.org/2024/09/25/net_zero_regional_communities/

#Australia #Biodiversity #climateChange #energy #Environment #NetZero #OurWonderfulGreenFuture #OWGF #Regeneration #renewableEnergy #Soil #sustainability

I created this infographic to highlight the positive transformations that can happen in our cities as we move towards Net Zero. Contrary to the fears some might have, Net Zero is not a grim scenario. Instead, it offers a chance to address the many issues currently affecting our cities with better solutions. As we face a climate-changed future, living sustainably and prioritising the environment will become essential. This means generating less waste, using less energy, and reimagining our economy and daily practices.

More Nature

Our net Zero cities will be filled with greenery. Trees provide numerous benefits, so we will plant them everywhere. We will need to be creating pocket parks, food forests, nature-bathing spaces, wildlife habitats, and pollinator corridors. Our cities will become green havens, moving away from being dominated by concrete and industrial forms. GIMBYism – Greenery in my back yard, please

SuDS & Sponge Cities

In Net Zero Cities we will be a lot better at managing water. Building sustainable Urban Drainage Systems. (SuDS) Networks, of engineered vegetated areas and open spaces, (e.g; green roofs, rain gardens and porous pavements) designed to protect natural ecosystems and offer benefits to people and wildlife. We will be building Sponge Cities that emphasise flood management through green infrastructure. Sponge Cities alleviate urban flooding, water shortages, and heat island effects by incorporating more parks, gardens, green spaces, wetlands, nature strips, and permeable pavings.

Streets for People

In Net Zero Cities we will be reclaiming streets from polluting vehicles and making them safe for walking, cycling and for children to play in. We will be converting roads into multi-purpose spaces where everyone feels safe and welcome. Taking our streets back from being places to store cars and turning them into nature strips.

3rd Places

Net Zero Cities will see lots more spaces for people to gather and socialise. 3rd places where people can organise pop-up shops, music venues, or even dancing in the street. Third places that foster community interaction and provide a relaxed environment for people to gather outside of home and work.

Transport Choices

Net Zero Cities will see the end of Car Dependency. Residents will have multiple options for getting around. From walking to local amenities to using bikes and scooters for longer trips. Dedicated lanes for Micro Mobility will be ubiquitous. Public transport will be expanded to cover all parts of the city. Private vehicles will be slowed down on side streets, and car ownership discouraged in favour of car sharing.

Economic Resilience

Net Zero Cities will need to support locally owned businesses that sell locally made products and recycle any “waste.” Building an economy that measures collective happiness and well-being, not just wealth. Ensuring cities are as self sufficient as possible, while being connected to global and regional networks with zero emissions transport.

Ministries of Imagination

Empowering people to co-design their neighbourhoods with local councils and implement changes for everyone’s benefit. Creating “pacts”, similar to those in Bologna, where local residents can propose ideas for improving the local community and get funding and support for their ideas.
Should we follow bolognas model for participatory urbanism?

Energy Self-Sufficiency

In Net Zero cities we will be producing 85% of energy locally, with solar, and storing it in community batteries. With peer-to-peer energy trading and connected microgrids, communities will be able to share their energy with neighbours. Energy efficiency and using smart appliances to manage demand will make the whole system more resilient.

Urban Farming

In Net Zero Cities, urban food production will greatly expand. We’ll see more herbs and leafy greens growing in residential gardens and community spaces. Food forests with fruit and nut trees will transform unused areas into productive green spaces. Vertical farms will be supplying local stores with fresh produce. Also allotments near apartment buildings will enable residents to grow their own vegetables and herbs, fostering community and sustainability.

Better Health

Net Zero Cities will be considerably better for human health. We will see big reductions in air pollution, traffic noise, stress, traffic violence and loneliness. At the same time we will have more active lifestyles, more community connections and access to a lot more calming green spaces.

Common Ownership

In Net Zero Cities we will be embracing a sharing economy where people share tools, appliances, vehicles, toys, books, clothes and more. We will dramatically reduce the need for personal ownership of rarely used items by placing them into the public realm. When an item is no longer wanted it can go to a “library” for others to use.

More Public Housing

Net Zero Cities will ensure design and building decisions are based on community and environmental needs rather than profit. We will need a lot more public housing, cooperatives, and community land trusts, for better social outcomes. All buildings will be designed and built with end of life “Urban Mining” in mind and to the highest environmental standards.

Urban Mining Centres

“Waste” is only waste if we choose not to reuse it. Our cities contain valuable materials and commodities that can be repaired, reused, or recycled. Future cities will feature Urban Mining Centres where everything previously considered waste will be repaired, reused, or recycled. Our cities will be filled with 1000’s of companies like this Revival Projects employing 10,000’s of people.

And that’s it! My very top level Net Zero Cities features and benefits. If I have missed any super important points, or you have any other comments, please share them below or in the Fediverse. https://mastodon.world/@OWGF

There is a whole lot more information on how we bring nature into our cities in this book, if you want to dive into the details: Nature-Based Solutions for Cities

https://owgf.org/2024/09/18/net-zero-cities/

#Biodiversity #CircularEconomy #ClimateAction #Environment #NetZeroCities #OurWonderfulGreenFuture #OWGF #Regeneration #SolarPunk #UrbanFarming #Urbanism

The Melbourne Pollinator Corridor (MPC), is 8km community-driven wildlife corridor that will link 2 large green patches that run along the Birrarung (Yarra River), Westgate Park and the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne.

The MPC focusses on native bees and other native pollinating insects, with the aim to bring 18,000 indigenous plants in 200 gardens by the end of 2024. It has been designed within local council constraints and with over 20 scientists and specialists. So far, they have turned over 480 square metres of barren public land into gardens filled with critters and beauty.

This is the first wildlife corridor like this in Australia, so not only are we seeing a project that will strengthen local flora and fauna and help everyone in the local community but it is also creating a precedent. And it’s all thanks to one person, Emma Cutting.

Guided by her profound concern over the increasing dominance of concrete and asphalt in urban environments and the urgent calls to action by leaders like Sir David Attenborough, Emma founded The Heart Gardening Project.

The Heart Gardening Project (THGP) exists for several crucial reasons:
Firstly, there is a significant amount of public land that remains unused and neglected. THGP aims to transform these spaces into vibrant, purposeful areas that benefit the community.

Secondly, amidst the escalating Climate Crisis, there remains a glaring lack of efforts to expand diverse public plantings. THGP seeks to address this by engaging communities, enhancing biodiversity, and tackling urban environmental challenges.

Thirdly, the rapid decline of native pollinators underscores the urgent need to restore habitats that support their survival. THGP focuses on replanting native species to create vital habitats for these essential creatures.

Lastly, the pervasive disconnection from both nature and other humans contributes to widespread mental health issues such as loneliness and depression. THGP recognizes the healing potential of nature and aims to reconnect individuals with their environment and community through gardening initiatives.

The Heart Gardening Project has set ambitious goals for its future endeavors. By the end of 2024, THGP plans to complete 200 gardens within the MPC zone, paving the way for its expansion across Melbourne. Integral to this expansion is the establishment of robust maintenance systems to ensure the longevity and vitality of these green spaces. Using the Melbourne Pollinator Corridor (MPC) as a proving ground, THGP aims to showcase to communities across Australia, and globally, how urban biodiversity can be significantly enhanced through thoughtful public plantings. This initiative not only aims to bolster native pollinator populations but also serves as a model for creating similar pollinator corridors elsewhere.

Over the next decade, THGP intends to engage in citizen science initiatives linked to the MPC, exploring connections between indigenous cultural knowledge and western scientific practices. This approach not only enriches understanding but also fosters inclusive environmental stewardship. Moreover, THGP seeks to influence policy and guidelines pertaining to street gardening, advocating for supportive frameworks that encourage community involvement and sustainable practices. By fostering widespread participation and demonstrating tangible positive impacts, THGP aims to catalyze meaningful change in biodiversity conservation and mental health improvement on a global scale.

Designing a shared, open-ended process
The Melbourne Pollinator Corridor consists of small street gardens created, managed, and maintained by local residents. Together, these gardens form a collaborative corridor that continues to expand in scope. This decentralized yet coordinated approach necessitates openness and flexibility. Rather than imposing a rigid design. The project offers loose frameworks that define the overall scope of the corridor while guiding individual garden designs.

Instead of a detailed masterplan, the corridor is conveyed through a diagrammatic drawing that captures the project’s ambition. This plan outlines a structure that facilitates coordination across gardens, enhancing the collective vision greater than the sum of its parts. At the garden level, Emma has developed design templates that provide guidance while encouraging personal interpretation – a concept she refers to as “tailored participation.” This approach allows each participant to contribute uniquely to the project.

Emma emphasizes that the project aims to support diverse approaches to gardening, fostering learning and encouraging community engagement. She explains, “The project is about recognizing that each person will approach their garden differently, empowering individuals to understand and contribute to the initiative.” By remaining open to interpretation, the project enables participants to shape their own experiences of involvement.

Overall, the MPC thrives because all gardens adhere to a shared set of principles and values, while remaining adaptable to evolving needs and forms throughout the project’s progression.

New modes of documentation, new ways of seeing the built environment
Central to the project’s community-led approach are user-friendly and inclusive documentation methods that make design and technical knowledge accessible to non-designers. One such example is the Melbourne Pollinator Corridor Handbook, written by Emma, who describes it as “the handbook I wish I had years ago when I started my journey into street gardening and urban biodiversity.” The handbook serves as a visionary document, a field guide, and a comprehensive technical reference.

The handbook connects various fields of knowledge to create a comprehensive guide tailored for non-designers or gardeners. Emma consulted with over 30 scientists and specialists – including conservationists, entomologists, native bee experts, and ecologists – to compile the information. This resulted in an accessible eight-step process for planning, designing, constructing, and maintaining projects. The handbook also features extensive plant lists, supplier information, and advice on navigating regulatory challenges. Despite its complex content, it maintains approachability through a storytelling tone and supportive illustrations.

I finally got my hands on a copy of the Melbourne Pollinator Corridor Handbook, and immediately read it cover to cover. While it is specifically written for people involved the MPC it is packed full of information about bees and pants and chock full of great information for anyone interested in doing similar.

You can order your copy here: https://theheartgardeningproject.org.au/shop/p/melbourne-pollinator-corridor-handbook

Check out The Heart Gardening Project web site, where you can donate to the project and find out more. https://theheartgardeningproject.org.au/

All Images via The Heart Gardening Project web site.

https://owgf.org/2024/06/27/melbourne-pollinator-corridor-restoring-biodiversity-in-urban-landscapes/

#Bees #Biodiversity #ClimateAction #Environment #Melbourne #OurWonderfulGreenFuture #OWGF #Regeneration #Urbanism

I really like competitions like this. Where the banks, the developers and any paid politicians are taken out of the equation and people are free to dream of a better future.

Decoding Density was an invitation sent out to everyone, everywhere, encouraging them to envision new possibilities for apartment forms, of six storeys and above, while addressing two pressing issues of our time: climate change and housing affordability. A key aspect of the brief was to challenge Vancouver’s planning code and other regulations.

My favorite concept was Towerhouse. Not only for its incorporation of greenery, but also for its exploration of community, place-making, integration into existing suburbs, and connectivity with the neighborhood through walking and cycling.

“Does it feel like a holiday home?” is a criteria I judge a lot of urbanism buy these days. After all, isn’t that what we want from our urban environment? We want to feel like we are living our best lives in a pleasant and friendly place. And on that criteria I feel like this project also succeeds.

The Micro-Hood submission gives off a lot of Solar Punk vibes with its illustrations. Micro-hood’s position is that our neighborhoods could be made better by supporting apartment buildings on single lots, that communities can be more resilient by sharing in ownership and that the way we built yesterday needs a reset.
Their proposal imagines re-hashing the building rules, constructing with pre-fabricated
panels and the creation of a Community Land Trust to bring a resilient, lower-carbon
community to life.

Community Land Trusts are something I am hearing a lot about these days and encourage people to read up on them, if they are not familiar with the concept. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Community_land_trust

LOTS! OF BUNDLES is another submission that also caught my eye. “Community-led housing is a way for resident collectives to self-organize and build cohousing. Cohousing offers an actionable solution to housing affordability: a combination of private units and shared spaces that fosters mutual aid and reduces housing costs.”

This part I thought was a really interesting concept within the submission Replan the Ground Level as a Common House. “Community-led housing projects include a common house: a collection of spaces shared by all residents as an extension of private domestic space. Our proposal reimagines the ground floor as a common house, creating a more porous relationship between the building, site, and neighborhood. Because a common house celebrates social activity and the use of outdoor space, our proposal loosens setback restrictions to take advantage of more buildable area on a lot, while carving out nooks of outdoor space that invites the activation of side and back alleys. This creates new lateral connections across the block through greenways that support mobility and walkability.“

Anti-community community deserves an honorable mention. They introduce their presentation as: “We are designers, artists, renters, movers, activists, guests, and neighbors. We are not architects, urban planners, or interior designers.
We are neighbors who complain and who have been complained about.
We know nothing about engineering and codes and by-laws. But we know we don’t enjoy the endless cycles of bureaucracy that limit true creativity
and agency.”
I really appreciate the whole down to earth attitude of this submission.

While the competition is addressing specific issues with planning regulations in Vancouver, most of the other ideas are valid the world over.

You can see the full competition here: https://urbanarium.org/decoding-density

And download PDF’s here: https://urbanarium.org/sites/default/files/2024-06/Decoding%20Density%20Publication%20DIGITAL.pdf

Be Inspired!

This post was created in #WordPress and can be viewed in the #Fedivers at: @[email protected]

OWGF has a Fediverse companion profile at: https://mastodon.world/@OWGF

OWGF is also on #Pixelfed here: https://pixelfed.social/OWGFhttps://pixelfed.social/OWGF

https://owgf.org/2024/06/16/decoding-density/

#Architecture #LandscapeArchitecture #OurWonderfulGreenFuture #OWGF #Regeneration #SolarPunk #StrongTowns #sustainability #Urbanism

Another wonderful not-for-profit conservation organisation that protects ecosystems and wildlife across Australia.

There are close to 2,000 animals and plants on Australia’s threatened species list. Bush Heritage steps in where they are needed most. On the ground, working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and the agricultural sector to make sure any impact is deep, sustainable and collaborative.

Their story started in 1991, in the Liffey Valley of Tasmania. Environmentalist Bob Brown purchased two forest blocks to protect them from logging, and a passionate community was born. From those first few hundred hectares of land, they have grown into a leading national organisation. Now, they protect millions of hectares of land across Australia through a network of reserves, and in partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other landholders.

To achieve their goals Bush Heritage uses three Impact models.

Buying land – They own properties that have been bought, gifted or bequeathed to them. Thanks to generous supporters they own 44 reserves covering over 1.4 million hectares.
Aboriginal partnerships – Whenever they buy land we seek to engage with the Traditional Owners to ensure they maintain access and a connection to Country. They also invest in partnering with Aboriginal groups who are themselves landowners – often of vast estates.
Natural capital in agriculture – With 58% of Australia used for agricultural production, they are exploring how to protect more land and partnering with willing farmers. They aim to have an influence over 10 million hectares of agricultural land by 2030.

These models are being used to deepen and double their impact by 2030 – protecting, restoring and regenerating a total of 30 million hectares of land (an area larger than the state of Victoria).

Images Via Bush Heritage Comms or see ALT text

Conservation science

Like all conservation organisations much of their work involves education and communication. Expanding the reach, impact and awareness of their scientific activities, through programs such as the Scientist in Residence, Healthy Country Fellowships and Internships.

“We approach science in a way that embodies respect and encourages a richer outcome – a ‘right-way science approach’. Blending knowledge systems and approaching collaborative work with our partners the ‘right-way’ can build trust, relationships and culture for everyone involved, while delivering better outcomes.”

If you want to see their work in person, you can choose from Self-guided day visits, camping stays & guided trips: at their Boolcoomatta Reserve, SA. Carnarvon Station Reserve QLD. Charles Darwin Reserve WA. Charles Darwin Reserve WA. Liffey Valley Reserves, TAS. Reedy Creek Reserve, QLD
And if you can’t get to any of those you get a tiny feel for things with their virtual tours. HERE & HERE

Bush Heritage also do a podcast too, which not only talks about their projects and their work but has some really nice human interest stories in their too. https://www.bushheritage.org.au/news/audio/big-sky-country

And if that’s not enough, there is a quarterly newsletter / magazine called Bushtracks.
Which you can sign-up for and and get fresh copies delivered straight to your inbox.

Check out loads more about them on their web site. Especially the HOW TO HELP page.
See their impact report, read one of their many stories or watch a video or two
www.bushheritage.org.au

https://owgf.org/2024/06/12/bush-heritage-australia/

#Australia #Biodiversity #conservation #Environment #OurWonderfulGreenFuture #OWGF #Regeneration #Rewilding

𝘙𝘢𝘶𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘻𝘰𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘦 𝘚𝘤𝘩𝘶𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘸𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘭𝘶𝘯𝘨 𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘩𝘵𝘪𝘨 𝘨𝘶𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘒𝘢𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘦 - so lautet der Titel meines Artikels in der aktuellen Ausgabe 01-2024 der Fachzeitschrift #grundschule.

Entstanden ist der Artikel im Rahmen einer Umfrage, die ich in meinem #PLN gestartet habe.

Deshalb möchte ich mich an dieser Stelle von ganzem Herzen bei allen bedanken, die sich die Zeit genommen haben, an meiner Umfrage teilzunehmen!

#pausen #regeneration #lernraumentwicklung #pädagogischeArchitektur #westermannverlag #fedilz

What is a timeshare cropper?
Watch to find out!

https://lifeboatacademy.freshdesk.com/support/solutions/articles/3000122911-what-is-a-timeshare-cropper-video-

#lifeboatacademy #lifeboats #placebased #resilience #regeneration #regenerativeag #regenerativeagriculture #permaculture #communityfarm #farm #farming #commons #reclaimthecommons #climate #climatecrisis #climatechange #collapse

Some #makebreakcreate action at Maker's Asylum by BMW Foundation Herbert Quandt "Responsible Leaders" at their Goa conclave results in an awesome "Lamp of Regeneration" which was installed in our backyard at the #drillpresscafe

#regeneration
#regenerativeeconomy
#BMW
#BMWfoundation

https://makersasylum.com/bmw-foundation-responsible-leaders-network-have-some-makebreakcreate-action/

Registrations open for the 15th International #Symposium on #Flatworm Biology (24-28 July 2023, CEBIMar, São Sebastião, #Brazil): https://www.even3.com.br/xvisfb/

Presentations on the #biology and #evolution of #flatworms are invited including #taxonomy, #systematics, #phylogeny, #morphology, #naturalhistory, #ecology, #cellularbiology, #molecularbiology and #molecular studies of #regeneration, #aging, #bioadhesion, #endemism, #phylogeography, #developmentalbiology with #model species #platyhelminths ´