8 Dec, 2015 | Permaculture Gatherings
Story by Ross Mars, Perth, October 2015
Air travel is recognised as one of the highest producers of carbon dioxide, and so contributes significantly to an individual’s greenhouse gas emissions. Most airlines offer customers a chance (and choice) to pay a little more to offset their travel. Unfortunately most people seem to ignore this offer and I also suspect the (small) cost increase in an airfare is really well below the true cost.
While it would be great if all permaculture practitioners automatically considered accepting the carbon offset addition to a fare, it may not be possible to do so for a large number of reasons. While all such schemes are registered by the Australian Government and the funds raised are given to legitimate organisations for tree planting and other endeavours, Perth is considering donating part of a participant’s Convergence fee to local organisations to enable worthwhile food-based and other revegetation projects to be funded.
Applications are invited…
Applications are invited for consideration for any planting schemes that require funding.
Please write and submit:
- a short description of your project
- outcomes expected
- funds sought and timeline for implementation.
Your proposal should be submitted before June 30, 2016 to…
You can go online and find any number of calculators to work out the carbon produced by travel from one city to another and to also give you some estimate of cost. We intend finding ways in which we can reduce everyone’s carbon footprint to attend the Convergence in Perth October 2016.
Won’t you join us?
26 Oct, 2015 | Permaculture Gatherings
Submissions are now open for presentations, workshops and specific sessions during APC13. You are invited to submit a half to one page abstract of your presentation outline for consideration. A selection panel will review all submissions and chose those that will complement each other and provide a balance, depth and spread to discussion on the themes of the convergence.
Theme: Designing for resilience
The overall theme for APC13 is Designing for Resilience, but a number of sub-themes as headings for concurrent sessions have also been mooted and include:
- design
- resilience,
- best practice
- tools and techniques
- leadership
- community
- research
- education
- future possibilities.
Important dates and guidelines for submissions
- Submissions of abstracts by May 31, 2016.
- Notification of acceptance by June 10, 2016.
- Presentations should be 30-45 minutes, with final time determined once all submissions provided and the timetable can be developed.
- A number of workshops are planned for the open-to-public Expo on Sunday October 2. You are invited to offer to run a hands-on workshop on some aspect of permaculture practice. Your session should be informative and engaging, as we anticipate people with little permaculture background may attend.
- Your presentation and final submissions of full paper will only be accepted from participants who have formally enrolled in the convergence.
- Your full paper or presentation or workshop outline and outcomes must be submitted by August 31, 2016 to enable all presentations to be published and made available to participants at APC13.
- Deadlines will be strictly adhered to.
Let’s all make this convergence a resounding success by supporting our endeavours to provide a full and varied program.
Email your abstract by May 31, 2016 to…
12 Jul, 2015 | Permaculture Gatherings
Story by Ross Mars, June 2015
APC13 – Permaculture Expo
Historically permaculture enthusiasts have organised a Convergence, with this term better defining the gathering of like-minded minds. Most other organisations offer Conferences, and in the early years, permaculture did have a Conference which was often an open day for the general public. The Convergence was seen as for only Permaculture Design Course (PDC) graduates.
To save the confusion, APC13 in Perth, 2016, will be offering a Permaculture Expo. This is the one day “conference” where guest speakers will talk about different aspects of permaculture to a largely uninitiated public. We also intend to have hands-on workshops and displays. We anticipate some information booths of appropriate businesses and static displays of interesting projects and case studies.
PDC as entry point for Convergence
The Convergence is meant for those of us who have done a Permaculture Design Course and in light of the growing number of Accredited Permaculture Training graduates we need to include those who may have done at least Cert III.
The issue has always been “how do we police the requirement of a PDC as entry to the Convergence?” Do we need to put a tick on a box on your enrolment form and/or to write the name of your PDC teacher or the year you undertook the course?
There are many arguments to accept those people who may not have done a PDC but have been involved in the permaculture movement for many years and are quite knowledgeable about permaculture principles and practices. Then there is the issue about partners or children (some adults) who have been immersed in permaculture for some time. Is there any opportunity to RPL a PDC? There are no easy answers if we endeavour to be inclusive.
We would encourage anyone who is planning to come to APC13 next year and has not undertaken a PDC, to do so as soon as they can. Perth will be offering a two week PDC just prior to the Convergence, and it may be an opportunity for some of you to be involved – either as participants or as guest presenters.
12 Jul, 2015 | Permaculture Gatherings
Story by Ross Mars, June 2015
Feeding Convergence attendees
How often have you heard that we should practice what we preach? There has always been contention by Convergence attendees that each group should obtain local, freshly grown produce and to grow as much food as possible to feed participants. In our current age of OHS and safety this is not always possible or easy. Caterers have to, by law, be able to document where food comes from and to ensure high public safety. For example, if someone came down with food poisoning then the Department of Health or some other similar government body would insist on a paper trail of where the food came from and what steps were put in place to ensure a low risk of contamination.
When we investigated venues to hold the Convergence for 2016, it became clear that most venues do not allow self-catering. Any venues that did were not suitable or large enough. We were obliged to use the caterers that came with the venue.
APC13 committed to sourcing local, organic food
You may now be able to appreciate that while growing food for a Permaculture Convergence is the ideal, there will be obstacles to overcome to make even part of this possible. Nevertheless, Perth is committed to work with the caterers to make their job easier to source good, local organic food, and to supply what condiments and other treats we can. We will be growing food and we intend to make this available to accredited suppliers and to liaise with growers to ensure the best possible outcomes for everyone.
12 Jul, 2015 | Permaculture Gatherings
Story by Ross Mars, June 2015
Air travel is significant greenhouse gas emitter
Air travel is recognised as one of the highest producers of carbon dioxide, and so contributes significantly to an individual’s greenhouse gas emissions. Most airlines offer customers a chance (and choice) to pay a little more to offset their travel. Unfortunately most people seem to ignore this offer and I also suspect the (small) cost increase in an airfare is really well below the true cost.
APC13 to consider donating fee for carbon offset projects
While it would be great if all permaculture practitioners automatically considered accepting the carbon offset addition to a fare, it may not be possible to do so for a large number of reasons. While all such schemes are registered by the Australian Government and the funds raised are given to legitimate organisations for tree planting and other endeavours, Perth is seriously considering donating part of a participant’s Convergence fee to local organisations to enable worthwhile projects to be funded.
You can go online and find any number of calculators to work out the carbon produced by travel from one city to another and to also give you some estimate of cost. We intend to pursue this and find ways in which we can reduce everyone’s carbon footprint to attend the Convergence in Perth October 2016. Won’t you join us?
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