Budget 2009 cuts to community education through schools to affect our programme in 2010
Sustainable Living evening classes are offered in many areas of NZ, including most of the urban centres, with active involvement of high schools, plus a few REAPs, WEA and other non-government organisations. See the current listing by region at our website http://www.sustainableliving.org.nz/Sustainable-Living-Regional-Info.aspx. These short courses (typically 6 to 8 evening sessions in one term) have related intelligently to all five existing TEC criteria for funding eligibility, and are popular with community education organisers and independent tutors because they have ready-made professional teaching materials and some national marketing support .
The Sustanable Living Education Trust's local government partners have found that evening class delivery, using tutors who are locally contracted by high schools but supplied with centrally prepared education materials on CD, is a straightforward and efficient way to get 'education for sustainability' content and methods out to the interested public. It builds a motivation to take action: that reduces carbon footprints, cuts solid waste, and encourages fuel water and power efficiency and also healthy home food production. If the school-based community education system did not exist we would have to construct one at enormously greater expense. The current system has worked well.
From research evidence, the group learning process through these evening classes is an effective and popular learning route, which certainly does prompt household action. (peer reviewed, published papers are available, written in conjunction with Landcare Research.)
Current cost to participants, charged by TEC supported high schools (e.g. $45 for a one term series), are affordable, and that fee level does not deter too many from participating, but we know from interviewing our participants that much higher non-TEC-supported fees would deter involvement by many more. This is a programme which is essentially about domestic and consumer issues of strong public relevance, and is delivered in a context of environmental and climate concern in society, interest in maintaining family health and in helping future generations to prosper. This is not really a 'personal hobby or craft activity' although it has been grouped with such courses by political commentators.
The trust objects to these suddenly proposed budget cuts, and to the lack of any consultation about proposals to cut funds from 2010, and to the inefficiency and potential damage to other aspects of public policy which will result from the cuts.
The left and right hands of central government do not appear to be connected, as - for example - the simultaneous and welcome Budget announcement of funding for widespread home insulation responds to growing public awareness of energy issues, and a search for impartial information on what can be done domestically. Sustainable Living has for 6 years been part of the public education process that responds to demand for good information and assistance on action at household and community level. We reach deeper than TV or leaflet advertising campaigns, and offer much more than 'raising awareness', as our group educational approach generates motivation and action, which produces the champions or role models of change, who are very important to social marketing.
The school-based community education cuts are misguided and in our Trust's view will be hugely unpopular for the government as they will clearly affect hundreds of thousands of evening class participants across many topics, well beyond our own specific field. We hope these cuts will be reconsidered and quickly cancelled. We shall continue to plan for operation in 2010 school year - our new local government financial year begins July 2009.
Meanwhile independent tutors continue to offer Sustainable Living classes in Term 3 and 4 community education programmes, through many schools, and also to provide one-off workshop events plus a few courses that are being directly funded by local government outside schools, plus our free website information.
Rhys Taylor
National Coordinator for Sustainable Living Education Trust
and part-time tutor at several high schools in Christchurch.
Office Ph. 03 960 2656
Issued 10 June 2009.
News example citing Sustainable Living as part of their school-based community education courses:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/news/kaikoura/2488707/Education-options-threatened
Strong interest at Eco-Expo in Christchurch
Sustainable Living had a display and two 'guest speaker' spots at Christchurch Eco-Expo on World Environment Day 5 June 2009 and the following weekend, open to the public. (Show website is http://www.ecoexpo.co.nz ) Over 100 people signed up for infornation on courses to be offered around the city.
Sustainable Living on TV1 (8 April) and National Radio (28 April)
See our newsletter page at this site, for link to a recording available on Good Morning's video lounge. There's also a National Radio feature with Estella Lee on Asian Report, 28 April 2009, at http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/highlights
Estella's class was also filmed for TV3.
Archived releases follow:
Sustainable Living clicks on after Earth Hour clicks off
Sustainability education evening classes held at high schools and other venues will be ready for action in the Second Term of 2009, as a follow up to Earth Hour.
These community-based classes, focussed on practical useful action that you can tackle at home, start in late April and early May. Courses are being listed during April at www.sustainableliving.org.nz and promoted by an email newsletter, which can be requested free from the website or direct from National Coordinator Rhys Taylor in Christchurch (03 960 2656) or the North Island Coordinator Jennifer Kerr (09 6300 130 )
"We are pleased to support the Earth Hour event on 28 March with this practical follow up. The one-term evening courses, and in rural locations more often single session workshops, offer detailed information and discussion to help people motivated to take on new shopping and travel habits, try better performing home appliances and insulation, to save some money and create a healthier home in the process" says Rhys Taylor. "People's wellbeing, as well as the environment, is influenced by our daily choices as consumers, so we at the Sustainable Living Education Trust are joining forces with the Sustainability Trust from Wellington to expand our range of support for all consumers who want to make good choices for the planet." (more news on Choices coming soon)
New features this autumn include Sustainable Living courses offered in Mandarin Chinese language in Auckland on 4 April and Waitakere from 23 April.
Sustainable Living is supported by 26 partner councils, spread from Southland up to Waitakere and the far North, (via Dunedin, Christchurch, Nelson, Greater Wellington, Bay of Plenty, Waikato, and many districts.) and by project funding from Ministry for the Environment. It is managed by charitable trustees appointed by the councils and two coordinators, on contract to make connections between independent local tutors, education venues and council staff, which deliver the nationally developed material with a useful local flavour.
Additional tutors are being recruited for Wellington region in April.
Announcement of the tutoring opportunity for Auckland in an article in the Herald last year brought them 70 skilled applicants, even though the tutor role is part-time and modestly paid.
"Sustainability is more understood today than six years ago, when we started," says Rhys "and many people are aware that New Zealand faces climate change and limited global resources, so they are ready to learn and try out new ideas, especially if they can also lower their power bills, trim carbon emissions and find out how to grow fresh food in the backyard."
Further information on the website or Email: rhys (at) sustainableliving.org.nz
North Island Coordinator for Sustainable Living announced
Thanks to investment by partner local councils and Ministry for the Environment's Household Sustainability team, Sustainable Living Programme is able to contract their first North Island Coordinator.
Jennifer Kerr will provide this new service, part-time from Epsom, Auckland to councils across most of the North Island. She will help develop Sustainable Living Programme in new areas and also support existing partner councils and community educators.
Phone her on 09 6300 130 or Email: jennifer (at) sustainableliving.org.nz
New North Island Coordinator for SLET, Jennifer Kerr
Rhys Taylor (03 960 2656) continues as the contracted National Coordinator and also supports our council partners in the South Island plus Wellington Region. "My national work takes me to Wellington, so it saves carbon, and time, for me to work with the partner councils nearest there rather than bringing Jennifer down from Auckland. I'm pleased that my carbon footprint for flights to reach other parts of the North Island will reduce."
The Sustainable Living Education Trust is a registered charity, based in Christchurch, with 25 partner councils involved and additional councils interested to join in 2009. Other backers include the Ministry for the Environment Sustainable Households team http://www.sustainability.govt.nz The trustees are chaired by Christchurch City Council Sustainability Advisor Tony Moore (03 941 6426)
Additional information in our latest newsletter on this site - link at top of page. Also course listings organised by region.
Archived release:
Media Release 4 August 2008
Sustainable Living on the Increase - New Trust Established
Most of us want to do the right thing by the environment, but waver when it comes to knowing how to, and then having the motivation to stick with it.
But for the nearly 2000 New Zealanders who last year took part in a district council or regional council sponsored course with Sustainable Living Programme, living more-sustainably is becoming a habit.
Now a new trust established to develop the programme nationally, The Sustainable Living Education Trust plans to guide 3000 more Kiwis to a sustainable lifestyle in the next 12 months. The not for profit trust, which is awaiting charity registration, is the brainchild of seven of the 25 local councils that make up the Sustainable Living Programme.
On 1st August the trust deed was signed and an official launch will occur before the end of the year, once the charity is registered. National Coordinator Rhys Taylor says the trust will provide a strategic backbone for the programme, with inaugural trustees drawn from staff at partner councils, including Auckland City, Greater Wellington Regional, Christchurch City, Waimakariri District, Dunedin City and Environment Southland. “All have extensive skills and a range of experiences to bring to the trust.”
“After six years of locally organised courses across New Zealand, it is positive that a national governance structure is coming together to take the programme to the next level.”
“The growing public popularity of the programme has meant servicing more and more council partners. The trust will be able to develop governance capacity beyond reliance on one Council as 'host'.” Since the outset, Marlborough District Council has coordinated and overseen the programme’s national delivery.
Six new partner councils joined the programme last financial year. These are Gisborne District Council, Kapiti Coast District, Palmerston North City, Waimakariri District, Greater Wellington Region and Auckland City. Councils planning to join in the next year include Wanganui, Far North and Waitaki Districts.
The programme focuses on practical tips and techniques to reduce your environmental footprint, such as house insulation, shopping choices to reduce waste, lower-carbon transport, and alternatives to toxic cleaning chemicals, plus practical composting techniques.
The Programme website is: www.sustainableliving.org.nz
For more information please contact:
Rhys Taylor
National Coordinator, Sustainable Living Programme
Ph 03 960 2656 or mobile 021 462 260 Email: rhys(at) sustainableliving.org.nz
Archived Media Release 11 May 2008
More New Zealand councils signing up for the Sustainable Living Programme
Auckland City Council signed up for the Sustainable Living Programme last week, the network’s latest recruit, while talks continue with six more councils keen to offer their residents affordable sustainability education.
National coordinator Rhys Taylor welcomes interest from other councils as “public demand for community education in sustainability is growing rapidly!”
Last Monday, an article on the programme in the New Zealand Herald drew many emails in response, including 55 people asking to be tutors, and the offer of three new venues for the programme in the wider Auckland area.
Courses have also begun this term in Christchurch, Swanson (Waitakere), Napier, Dunedin, Queenstown, Hamilton, and Havelock North.
More courses are planned for terms two and three in most of the 23 regions and cities throughout New Zealand that already offer Sustainable Living Programme (see: www.sustainableliving.org.nz)
Rhys says that with the support of local government and the Ministry for the Environment, Sustainable Living Programme courses are helping participants save on petrol, cut power bills, garden organically and reduce the amount of plastics and water they use in their homes, among other skills.
“With our local government backing, the Sustainable Living Programme can bring real environmental change to our communities, through people keen to learn and make a difference. They will even pay course fees to do it! We are keen to hear from councils who haven’t yet used the programme, to let them know of its benefits and how they can get involved.”
Hear Rhys talk about the Sustainable Living Programme to Rodney District Council staff and NGO guests in April 2008:
Presented by an independent filmmaker in five x 10 minute segments, posted on Youtube:
- Sustainable Living Part1 - Introduction to the speaker (Rhys Taylor, National Coordinator) and to this local government-led community education programme, in the context of Peak Oil and Climate Change. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SF-4dLpop4A
- Sustainable Living Part 2 - The Sustainable Living Programme, its audience and content described, starting with the energy topic. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-zz6LdOWQI
- Sustainable Living Part 3 - Programme content continued - waste topic, how learning happens in facilitated groups, shopping topic, gardening. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYAaxCvKn3c
- Sustainable Living Part 4 - Programme continued - from water topic, to buildings and travel. What motivates action? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJGbr83SN8A
- Sustainable Living Part 5 - how these courses are delivered, their impact, who is running the Programme around NZ - councils, business, schools, UNDESD endorsed, compatible with TEC funding criteria, & how to contact: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1wGPVuHrHI
Case studies from Sustainable Living course participants are posted on MfE website http://www.sustainability.govt.nz/news/2008/course-sustainable-living-great-success , and in their new '25 steps' booklet: http://www.sustainability.govt.nz/content/25-easy-steps-towards-sustainability
Information listing 26 partner regional and district councils http://www.sustainablehouseholds.org.nz/about1.htm
Background Information for Media
The Sustainable Living Programme is innovative community education programme helping Kiwis change their environmental habits at home and work. Managed by local government the programme is delivered by a mix of high schools, environment centres and other NGOs, in addition to information available anytime at this website and an associated longer-established one, sustainable households
The programme has grown in coverage and experience since a 2001-2004 pilot project of 8 councils, to involve 25 regions, districts and cities now. The Ministry for the Environment is also backing the programme in 2008 as part of its drive for household sustainability and acknowledges the Programme in its Environment NZ 2007 publication (p72).
- Case studies are available, featuring typical class participants describing their experience and actions resulting - see the newsletter page of this website for examples.
- Media contacts: National Coordinator: Rhys Taylor Ph. 03 960 2656 or 021 462 260 Email: rhys(at)sustainableliving.org.nz
- Original Programme Manager: Annie McDonald, Environmental Education Officer at Marlborough District Council. 03 578 5249
From October 2008: Chair, Sustainable Living Education Trust, Tony Moore , Sustainability Advisor at Christchurch City Council. 03 941 8779
- Contacts are available in all the partner councils at our regional pages here, or on request from Rhys Taylor.
- Logos are available for download on this page (above right), for media publication alongside stories about the Programme. Note that these are a registered trademark, and protected from unauthorised use. Note that the Programme does not endorse products or services available from third parties or allow use of the logo by businesses.