The story of bottled water - part of the Story of Stuff project

Here's the latest from Annie Leonard, creator of the Story of Stuff, about bottled water at http://www.thestoryofstuff.org/.

Remember, the best way to avoid the problems associated with too much stuff, ie. waste materials used to make products that companies convince us that we need, is to ignore the marketing and don't buy the stuff.

If something is called or marketed as "take-away" there is probably packaging involved that is bad for the environment (eg. plastics and polystyrene) or it's a very poor nutritonal choice or it cost hundreds if not more times what it would cost you to take from home in the first place or all of these things!

Recycling is not always a good option either. Some plastics are recyclable but they are generally downcycled - the new product is inferior to the original.

Here endeth the lesson for today.

If you are interested in these sorts of issues and/or products and services that can help you live more sustainably, or you would like to make a comment, please contact us:

info@betweenskyandearth.com.au

See our website:

http://www.betweenskyandearth.com.au/

Thanks for your time. Enjoy the rest of the day - plant some seeds and see what happens.

Miriam.

Ego Lemos talks about Permaculture in East Timor

Ego Lemos speaking on permaculture in East Timor
A meeting of Permaculture Melbourne's South Eastern Suburbs Group
Wednesday 10th March 7-9pm
Venue Coatesville Church,
corner North & Mackie Rds, Bentleigh East.

To RSVP contact Miriam Baxt on tel; 9578 7237
Or email; permaculture@betweenskyandearth.com.au


Ego is an East Timorese and in November 1999 he together with Steve Cran, a permaculture volunteer from Australia, started developing permaculture in Timor Leste. What started as 2 people developed into the local NGO called Permatill (Permaculture Timor Leste).
Permatil's work has been to strengthen and promote permanent and sustainable agriculture and culture, helping to provide independence, food security, sustainable incomes, cultural strength and environment protection to local communities.

After many years working with communities Permatill published a book - the "Permaculture Guidebook from Timor Leste." some copies of this book will be available at the meeting for $20, and other publications developed in conjunction with IDEP in Indonesia can be seen online at http://www.idepfoundation.org/ptl.html

For the past two years Ego has been in Australia studying community development at Victoria University. He's also been playing and singing at various folk festivals and recently recorded a CD "O Hele Le" with Skinny Fish, and in November 2009 he won the 2009 APRA Screen Music Award winner for "Best Original Song Composed for the Screen" - for the song "Balibo" used in the film of the same name.
http://www.skinnyfishmusic.com.au/site/ego-lemos/106-ego/278-egolemos.html

Ego has finished his studies and is heading back to Dili in the next couple of weeks to resume work with Permatill. This may be the last chance to see him for some time so please come and hear his story. Join us in congratulating him on his work so far and in offering support for his work in the future work.

Some topics to be covered;
What issues are people faced with in Timor Leste. What ideas have proved most useful in assisting people, what process of engagement with the community has proved most useful
The talk will offer an example of Permaculture as a set of ideas and skills for supporting development assistance and community development projects.

Tea and refreshments will be available. Entry by donation is requested to cover costs: $2 members/$5 non-members.