Climate Conversations

Wednesday 30 October - Nature Based Solutions

In October we heard from Richmond Landcare about nature based solutions and the impact on flooding downstream. Richmond Landcare are actively working and researching nature based solutions here in Lismore to measure what difference growing trees in upper catchment areas can have.

The messages heard from the participants included

• Restoring habitat in upper catchments seems a logical and important component of an integrated approach to flood risk management.
• Some participants described their experience of minimal erosion and landslips in 2022 floods in areas that had trees planted 20 years previously.
• Balancing plantings with farm production is important and there needs to be the right incentives and support for such work. Overseas research indicates that having trees on 10-15% of a grazing property area has minimal impact on output.
• Recently, there has been an increase in interest from the community to participate in Landcare tree planting opportunities

Friday 6 September - Youth

In September a local high school student ran the conversation for us in the spirit of debate! Debate games with other students from year 7 to year 10 were held around the theme of climate change. 100% of students all agreed climate change was very real (and had a lot of facts up their sleeves) and agreed that there were solutions for a brighter future. Debating got more interesting as they discussed who contributes more to the causes of climate change; developing or undeveloped countries...the verdict is still out for the youth.

Wednesday 24 July - Adaptation

In July we discussed what exactly adaptation was and were joined by staff from AdaptNSW. The message heard from participants was that more work on education needs to be done.

Friday 28 June 2024 - Food

In June we discussed all things food, including:

• our current access to food and the dis/connection between locally grown food and householders,
• affordability of food, time poorness, poverty and education and how these impact the way we eat,
• growing, cooking and preserving,
• bigger trends in farming and exporting,
• lack of governance and coordination around food systems.

Actions pledged:

• Lismore City Council to take all notes away to consider incorporation into draft Strategies
• 1 community member pledged to work on implementing a veggie garden at a local school, another community member pledged to help
• 1 community member pledged to work on establishing an Edible Garden Trail event
• Many pledged to continue advocating for a regional food strategy for the Northern Rivers

Resources shared:

• The Lismore Community Garden - are holding monthly community cook-ups and all are welcome, contact them to find out more
• uForage app - a mobile app to connect you to local sources of food, developed here in the Northern Rivers
• The Nimbin Sustainable Living Hub - hosts regular workshops including on cooking and preserving

Thursday 30 May 2024 - Community-led Action

In May we discussed community-led actions and the challenges and successes of what communities in Lismore and the Northern Rivers have achieved. The discussion made it clear that local communities can give themselves a huge congratulations for all the effort that has been contributed from individuals and community groups so far. There was a deep understanding that the effort isn't always easy or sustained. We heard loud and clear that community want Council to help in building social and community connections, particularly with youth, as its these connections that enable community-led action and climate responses.

Actions pledged:

• It became evident that community organising and community commitment takes time and inevitably will ebb and flow. We all committed to value self-care as a way to increase communal wellbeing.

Wednesday 24 April 2024 - Energy

In April our conversation was all things energy - energy efficiency, reducing bills, electricity, electrification, solar and consuming less energy! We discussed:

• energy security in Lismore along with challenges, obstacles and opportunities
• reducing energy consumption in homes and businesses through efficiencies, habits and urban design
• circular economy
• energy poverty and just access to thermal comfort and solar
• opportunities for renewable energy sources and electrification of homes, cars and public transport.

Actions pledged:

• 2 community members interested in getting a home energy audit done
• 2 community members to get to know their neighbours better and see what can be done and shared at a street level
• 1 community member to raise ideas for community battery in Lismore and solar panels on social housing at a Labour Party meeting
• expert home energy audit workshops
  • Council to investigate opportunities to facilitate workshops
  • Community to investigate individual or collective workshops
• solar investment reports
  • Council to provide a follow up report on the Renewable Energy Master Plan
• 1 community member to investigate how to engage youth in the conversation
• 1 community member to research and increase skills on communicating climate action
• communication on energy efficiency tips
  • Council to share information via the newsletter

Links to useful information that came up or was requested in the conversation:

• University Technology of Sydney's Energy Ready Guidebook and Toolkit and EOI to receive a physical copy in the mail - the guide and toolkit provides a framework and activities for hosting conversations with your neighbours or community on improving energy resilience.
• SunSPoT - a website to help calculate how much solar could fit on your roof and how long it might take to repay itself
• Find a NSW Government Energy Rebate
• Green Building Guide(External link) - lowest cost green rebuilding techniques, focusing on energy efficiency, water savings and indoor air quality
• Richmond Tweed Regional Library have a range of inspiring and informative books, ebooks and e-audiobooks available
• Scanlon Institute research on social cohesion and trust
• Transition Streets - Inspiring and supporting local communities as they build a sustainable future
• Sustainable House Day - provides the opportunity to explore some of Australia’s most inspiring homes, and learn from the people who designed them, built them, and live in them.

Photo: a glimpse of the Energy Ready toolkit, University Technology of Sydney

Friday 22 March 2024 - Introduction

This introductory session welcomed participants and discussed expectations and interest for the future of the series. The group were asked how they felt at the beginning and again at the end of the session. While we started out feeling worried and fearful, at the end, feelings had shifted to empowered, supported and connected. Key areas of interest that arose from the group included:

• circular economy and shedding
• food security
• water and river health
• energy security
• social connection and vulnerability
• housing.