My Internet Journal is designed to provide details on my role as a Councillor for the City of Maroondah and my involvement within a variety of community organizations.
You can also subscribe to updates to stay informed in regard to community and council activities and how I am making a difference for the Mullum Ward and the Maroondah community.
Your comments and thoughts are welcomed and encouraged.
Urban sustainability and the environment have continued to remain at the forefront of the Maroondah community with the Croydon Conservation Society holding a film night, showcasing Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth and the End of Suburbia.
An Inconvenient Truth is a documentary surrounding former US Vice-President Al Gore’s presentation on climate change. Through the presentation Al Gore explores the impact of climate change on ocean levels, the polar ice caps and the migration trends and habitat of wildlife. In particular Al Gore stresses the need for immediate action to curb greenhouse emissions and draws a comparison between the worldwide action that resulted in the agreement to phase out CFCs. The phasing out of CFCs came into force in 1989 through the Montreal Treaty of 1987 and has often been hailed as one of the most successful international treaties in regard to its commitment and implementation.
It is interesting to note that at the time there was much controversy surrounding the effects of CFCs and the needs for a treaty, a situation that appears to have repeated itself in regard to climate change and the Kyoto treaty.
The second documentary, The End of Suburbia explores Peak Oil and the ramifications that rising petrol prices and the end of cheap fuel will have on suburbia. Peak Oil, where the supply of oil is unable to cater to rising demand, has risen in prominence within Australia due largely to overall trend of rising petrol prices. In particular the film explores why alternative fuels cannot simply substitute the current dependence on oil meaning that sustainable forms of transport such as public transport will be need to be improved. Hydrogen is a net energy loser (since it consumes more energy in its production than it actually provides) and biodiesels, such as ethanol, would currently require all agriculture land currently used for food production to be diverted to fuel production, obviously leaving a chronic shortfall in food sources. Evidence of this is already seen within a number of developing countries that have experienced rising food prices due to the increase of biodiesel production at the expense of food production.
While debate may still surround climate change and peak oil, the discussion is shifting from one of doubt to one of questioning the magnitude of when these events will occur. In this regard it seems imperative to begin mitigating the risks associated with both climate change and peak oil.
Category: Environment,Maroondah,Urban Sustainability
| June 28, 2007 | ||
| 6:00 pm | to | 9:00 pm |
| July 26, 2007 | ||
| 6:00 pm | to | 9:00 pm |
| August 23, 2007 | ||
| 6:00 pm | to | 9:00 pm |
Founded in 1976, the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) is the recognised consumer organisation representing passengers of public transport. The PTUA is a non-profit, voluntary organisation with no political affiliation, which lobbies governments and public transport authorities in the interest of all users of public transport.
I became actively involved in the PTUA in late 2004, when I founded the Outer East Branch to provide a local and vocal presence on public transport advocacy for outer eastern residents. Since this time I initiated a branch for Melbourne’s South East and was recently appointed Vice-President of the association in 2006.
The main PTUA committee meets on a monthly basis to provide an update on activities and strategies to advocate for public transport improvements.
Category: Events and Functions,Sustainable Transport
| June 28, 2007 | ||
| 7:30 pm | to | 10:30 pm |
The Croydon Conservation Society is holding a community screening of the Al Gore film An Inconvenient Truth followed by the End of Suburbia.
An Inconvenient Truth explores the mounting evidence that confirms that humans are contributing to climate change and the End of Suburbia explores the concept of peak oil, which is where demand for oil exceeds the limited supply that is available.
Details:
The films will be screened at Luther College, Plymouth Road Croydon. (Melway: 36 H12 or bus route 366 from Ringwood or Croydon Stations).
Category: Environment,Events and Functions,Maroondah,Urban Sustainability
Alex Makin is a councillor for the Mullum Ward in the City of Maroondah. Alex has been a councillor since 2005, representing ratepayers, businesses, community groups and residents.
I aim to continue making a difference and welcome any thoughts you may have in regard to life, community and business in Maroondah.
Phone: (03) 9870 8202 or 0408 311 645
Email: alex@alexmakin.com.au
