Thursday, November 19, 2009

When will extreme weather conditions stop making news?

One wonders when extreme weather will cease being news? Given the present heat wave and the media's intense coverage of it and the forecast catastrophic weather conditions ahead, will this become the norm? The weather is always in the news, it's baseline conversation for most people, even when it's just plain pleasant. What period of time does it take though for it to cease being considered unusual. Seems to be adding fuel to climate change issues though...

Thursday, October 29, 2009

What of our future in an environment of green fatigue?

The local paper (Daily Liberal) recently reported a story with a sub-heading "Temperature rise to be death knell for region". Professor Clive Hamilton (Centre for Applied Philosophy & Public Ethics) was quoted as saying "A 6 per cent average increase across western NSW would make that part of the State virtually uninhabitable." He suggests that Australian research indicates a jump in temperature would treble the number of the very hottest days over 40 degrees.

This article appeared only days after extensive media coverage of "green fatigue" (http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,26239892-26103,00.html). I also recently visited friends who were commenting that they thought the whole climate change "thing" and "green politics" was nothing but a diversion tactic being played out by politicians.

I also recently heard a very entertaining after-dinner speaker (a scientist) who disputed the science behind climate change predictions, indicating he thought it was more about which scientist or scientific institution could most scare the "bejesus" out people.

So, who is right? Maybe it is the sceptics. But I'd like to think that even if the worst case predictions are wrong, we just can't continue the way we have been. World populations have to slow down or stop growing, we have to clean up the way we live and reduce our reliance on resource-hungry ways of living. We only have one earth and she is fast running out of puff...she is literally holding the weight of the world on her shoulders.

Monday, September 14, 2009

bird/chop at Chop Art Shop


I have a new work (pictured left) in progress for a Fresh Arts Inc. exhibition in Millthorpe, Central West NSW, due to open on 1 October 2009.
Titled bird/chop, the installation piece will be going into the cool room of an old butchers shop which is now an art gallery called the Chop Art Shop.

Incorporating sound in the work, bird/chop is a multi-media, site-specific installation that looks at the use of land to meet our need for a European-style diet centred on red meat consumption, and often produced using European farming practices. While delving into our farming history it questions the legacy we are creating for future generations.
Fresh Meat runs from 1 October - 1 November 2009, Chop Art Shop, 25 Victoria Street, Millthorpe. An artist celebration will be held on Sunday, 25 October at 11am. RSVP: Chop Art Shop (02) 6366 3905. Chop Art Shop is open Thurs/Fri 5pm - 9pm and Sat/Sun 10am - 5pm.
(C) Kim V. Goldsmith, 2009: cardboard, tape, sound system, clay, feathers, paint, handmade book

Places of work and home amongst most energy inefficient in the developed world

Australia is behind Mexico and Argentina in terms of its ability to meet greenhouse gas emissions targets, a report says.

The Climate Institute and European think-tank E3G released the report in the lead-up to next week's G20 meeting in the US.

Australia ranked 15th in an analysis of its capacity to generate business in a low-carbon economy, the lowest position of any industrialised country.

The report also found Australia was in the bottom of the pack when it came to its share of meeting the global greenhouse gas target of 450 parts per million by 2020.

Australia came 16th, with only Turkey, Russia and Saudi Arabia requiring a bigger turnaround to get back on track.

Climate Institute spokesman John Connor says the ranking is not surprising, considering Australia is a fossil fuel, carbon intensive economy.

"We need to improve that rate of productivity. The renewable energy target which has just been passed is very important, and that is 20 per cent of our energy by 2020. Of course we have got to get on with the rest of the 80 per cent," he said.

"We have got to get on across the industrial sector, our places of work and home are amongst the most energy inefficient in the developed world.

Source: ABC/AAP
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/09/14/2684578.htm

Knowing what is best for people

In an interview with Pat Hoffie for the journal, Artlink, South African artist William Kentridge "talked about how colonialism still persists in describing itself to itself in terms of 'knowing what's best for people' and then applying those decisions by force...The monopoly of physical power and the assumption of wisdom, he pondered, are always catastrophic."

The full article is not yet available online on the Artlink website - but the link is http://www.artlink.com.au/articles.cfm?id=3283. (pp 46 -51, Volume 29 No 3)

It makes one wonder about the colonialists of the green movement. Are efforts to ensure individuals and local communities have global consideration for their actions shifting beyond a quiet groundswell to an attitude of "knowing what's best for people" and the an increasing willingness to apply decisions by force?

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Coverage of PAE exhibition in The Land Newspaper

The Land newspaper (NSW) today published an artist profile piece based on the Perspectives. Art. Ecology. exhibition (above).

Monday, August 17, 2009

Climatic extremes: a new norm

The Sydney Morning Herald ran a story last weekend (News Review, p5 by Debra Jopson and Ben Cubby) about the farmers continuing to do more with less, more concerning scientific predictions and politicians playing politics...all while our climate continues to undergo change, global food security decreases, and the climate change sceptics get the last word. I wonder what it will take to ruffle the tail feathers of these ostriches?

http://www.smh.com.au/environment/global-warming/farmers-face-hardship-as-climate-changes-20090814-el72.html

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Thank you

Thank you to all who supported The Coming of Age Project over past months. The artworks which resulted from the project, as well as from other research and documentation, were successfully shown at the Western Plains Cultural Centre, 23 May - 19 July 2009. Despite the Perspectives. Art. Ecology. exhibition now being over, The Coming of Age Project will continue, with plans to run it for at least 10 years, and to expand the framework to include other communities across Australia.

I will continue to post information, images and links, seek feedback, conduct video interviews and create new artworks that visually communicate the issues communities face as they seek creative solutions to protecting our environment for future generations.
Image: installation view of Perspectives. Art. Ecology

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Urban pressure on food production

Following on from my last post regarding the waste generated by urban populations, I've found a discussion paper by Professor Julian Cribb (Julian Cribb & Associates and well known science communicator), titled The Coming Famine (published in January 2008). My reason for investigating Julian Cribb's position on water use and the impact our water-hungry ways will have on future generations was prompted by an ABC Radio rural report interview this morning (30/6/09).

Professor Cribb was speaking at the launch of the Water4Food initiative in Canberra. He maintains that the world is headed for major famine and wars if we don't urgently address our attitude towards water. A podcast of the interview with Professor Cribb is available from the ABC Western Plains Rural Report page.

In the discussion paper, Professor Cribb outlines the downward trend of key indicators affecting global food security. He also makes the comment that the thing that stands out is that the scale of impact of climate change is somewhat uncertain, but the other trends are "real, well-documented and predictable."

He says the challenge over the next two generations is to raise food production by 110% from a more degraded natural resource and reduce world populations from 9 billion to 2-3 billion by 2100. Food for thought...or action?

Friday, June 19, 2009

Throw away society's legacy

In the Sydney Morning Herald on 17 June, Ainslie MacGibbon wrote about the waste disposal systems of a consumer hungry society. For those who missed the Animal in Art Lecture at Western Plains Cultural Centre on 18 June and my reference to her line about "birds are near the end of a long list of victims of over-consumption", then here is the link to the article.

http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/here-lie-remnants-of-throwaway-lives-20090616-cghh.html

If birds are an indicator of the health of our environment, then drunken parrots and overfed, disheveled cockatoos are a sad reminder that all is not right. Given that it is estimated that 60% of the world's population will be living in urban environments by 2030 we have to find a more sustainable, earth-friendly way of dealing with high tech, material cast offs. The coming broadscale introduction of digital television (and radio) and rapid developments in computer and mobile technologies are making the race to find solutions to our waste problems critical.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Observe or engage

It's easy to observe. It is much more challenging to engage.

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Welcome to Perspectives. Art. Ecology.

Welcome to Perspectives. Art. Ecology., the exhibition, and the Coming of Age Project. I'd like to invite you to participate in this forum to discuss issues about the future of our environment - particularly those elements that are important to you.

What would you fight to preserve for future generations?

Take the time to read the posts and the comments others have left. Watch the blog videos on this site and feel free to respond to anything you see. Read the "how to comment" information in the right hand column.

Thank you for giving us your time today.

Monday, May 18, 2009

Counting down the days

As the days count down to the opening of Perspectives. Art. Ecology., I'm starting to wonder whether or not discussion about the future of our environment has any resonance in the current climate.

My readings of the weekend papers, particularly the lifestyle sections are particularly telling...much space dedicated to the latest fashions, household items and latest architectural/renovation trends...more and more ways to use spend money on resource-hungry items that supposedly "enrich"our lives. The whole recessionista idea of recycling, reusing and buying better quality less often seems to have been short-lived.

How do we seriously reduce our impact on the planet and our local environment when the mass media and society's influencers are still encouraging us to upgrade, upsize and overhaul our lives with the latest must-have items?

Rugby league commentator, Phil Gould made a comment in the Sun-Herald on 17 May which said: "We just need one generation to break the mould." He went on to write, "...it's peer group pressure that gets the best results."

Apply this sentiment to issues surrounding the future of our environment, and I think we're in trouble.

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Empower the people of the river

On ABC Radio's Western Plains Rural Report on Thursday, 14 May the CEO of RiverSmart Australia, Dr Bill Phillips made the comment that when you walk into the pub and ask anyone in a riverside town how they feel about what's happening with our rivers, they simply feel disempowered.

This report can be heard by following the links for the 14 May Rural Report at http://www.abc.net.au/rural/nsw/westernplains/

How are you feeling about the state and future of the rivers in the Central West? Do you feel empowered enough to make a difference?

For more information about RiverSmart Australia go to http://www.riversmart.org.au/

Monday, May 11, 2009

Parrots or jobs - can't we have both?

A story that hit the headlines in the media today (11/5/09) leaves me wondering about how blinkered decision-makers and stakeholders (which includes rural communities) are when it comes to options for a sustainable future. At the moment the arguments seem to be either/or...black or white. The 161 comments on the ABC News page makes interesting reading (yes, there's some rubbish in there as well)...particularly those that wonder about whose responsiblity it is to invest in green jobs. Do rural communities take this initiative, or do we wait for a legislative response and a higher power to determine when and how it happens?

Parrot 'putting hundreds of jobs at risk' - http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/05/11/2566058.htm

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Coming to fruition

As the creative processes of producing artworks for the Coming of Age Project comes to pass for a time, and the focus becomes more about the technical aspects of bringing a show together in the austere, reflective space of a public gallery, I've paused to wonder about the role of creativity in problem solving.

The difficulties of bringing together an exhibition are probably not that different to the problems we face managing environmental issues. In a gallery setting it is almost expected that creativity will be applied to finding a solution. The benefits of doing so are evident...to artists and curators at least.

Does our future hinge on creative problem solving? Can art play a concrete role in stimulating discussion, facilitating different view points and ultimately finding creative solutions to the big issues of sustainability and regeneration that face our world?

I invite you to respond to the questions on this blog and the ones in this post - as the Coming of Age Project and the Perspectives. Art. Ecology. exhibition explore different takes on the past, the present and future of the environments in which we live. This blog will be on display in the Perspectives. Art. Ecology. exhibition. Feel free to contribute before, during and following the public exhibition period. We'd love to see you in the blog tent at the gallery!
Perspectives. Art. Ecology. on show at Dubbo Regional Gallery - The Armati Bequest, Western Plains Cultural Centre, Dubbo, 23 May - 19 July 2009

Friday, May 1, 2009

An artist's perspective - Kim

In this video blog, I have attempted to explain some of my concerns about the future of our enviroment - the motivation for the Coming of Age project.


Friday, April 24, 2009

Inseparable - Shona

For Shona Whitfield, the environment is a major, special part of her life - professionally and personally. It is so significant in her life she finds it difficult to separate herself from it.


Magic & resilience - Matthew & Fergus

A magic place - Matthew
Environmental education teacher, Matthew McKenzie has introduced the idea of a magic spot to the children who visit his facility. The magic spot is simply a quiet, outdoor place where one can be immersed in the natural environment. It is a place to stop and reflect, a practice that children and adults alike can benefit from.

Resilient landscapes - Fergus
As the manager of Little River Landcare Group, Fergus Job has seen the ability of Central West landscapes to heal. He believes it simply requires the will to look beyond the surface.

Friday, April 10, 2009

Legacy - Pip

A champion of rural communities and a mother with great hope for the environment she sees as her children's future, Pip Job believes people are the critical element of the landscape she loves.


Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Project update - Just Add Water

(c) Kim V. Goldsmith, 2009, Little River Dreaming 02, digital photograph
All has been quiet on the blog front this past month as the new media works that are a part of this project have started to take shape. More video interviews have been conducted and the edited versions will be available for viewing on the blog in coming weeks.

Two videos have now been produced as part of the project, one of which is focused very much on water use in the Central West, particularly in Dubbo. Some interesting stats came to light during my research for this work:

  • On 18 March, Dubbo residential water usage was 497 litres/person/day. This equates to about 3.3 bathtubs of water per person (based on an average 150 litre bathtub).

  • The Central West catchment target for water use per person is 155 litres per person - a little more than 1 bathtub per person). This is based on high level water restrictions, however, it raises some interesting questions about our capabilities under these restrictions.

  • On 29 March the water usage in Dubbo was 713 litres/ person/day (4.75 bathtubs)...obviously not a water restriction in sight in this town.

At the Western Plains Cultural Centre hosted public forum, "Just Add Water", held in Dubbo on 26 February, Dubbo's relationship with water was explored through the eyes a Dubbo City Council representative. The following is a transcript of some of what was said on the night:

Dubbo values water very highly...I think we grow up expecting a reliable water supply in Dubbo. People like their green lawns; people enjoy seeing green playing fields...they (people outside of Dubbo) don't begrudge Dubbo having access to water and using it keep our town green...Dubbo uses about 1 gigalitre of water every year. The average flow in the Murray (River) is nearly 5,000 GL, so even if Dubbo was to reduce its usage by half and if we only used half a gigalitre instead of a gigalitre, that would be 0.01% of the flow in the Murray. What effect is 0.01% going to have on whether Lake Alexandrina has water in it or not?

Does Dubbo exist in a green bubble - isolated from its responsibilities within the wider catchment? How much are residents really prepared to pay to maintain their European style gardens in this semi-arid environment?

Saturday, February 28, 2009

Rich environmental heritage


Following a trip to the Macquarie Marshes today with fellow artist, Gail Naden, and Western Plains Cultural Centre curator, Adnan Begic, I have a new appreciation for the rich environmental heritage of this Ramsar listed wetland. Our guide for the day was Berty Bartholomew - a wealth of knowledge and opinion bundled up in a man who is a gifted story-teller and custodian of many Aboriginal sites in the area. Not enough water has yet worked its way down the system to flood the bird breeding sites and there were many stark reminders within the boundaries of the Northern Marsh of human impact on the wetlands, the main one being the bypass channel taking water away from the river for stock and domestic purposes. Human activity in the area goes back to pre-European times, evidence of which can be seen in the scar trees. However these scars seem insignificant compared to the banks and channels carved into the floodplain.

But nature still does its thing in some quarters despite human intervention. Highlights of the day were watching a Little Eagle swoop down on the crested pigeon and photographing a stunning skewbald goanna. Emus and kangaroos were in a abundance, and thankfully we only sighted one snake! Given another few weeks, the bird life should increase as the water from upstream slowly makes its way towards Carinda, flooding the lagoons and reed beds.

When I returned home this evening to read the weekend papers, I noticed an article about David Suzuki's latest book (interestingly, the back of the page was about this season's latest fashions). There was a comment in the article attributed to Suzuki which said: A lot of my friends are thinking it's too late (to save the environment)...But I say if you really believe there is nothing that can be done, then shut up and get out of the way. Because you always have to offer people hope.

There are some who say that the Marshes can never be what they once were because they are now at the tail end of a regulated water system. There are those who say that the greed of the irrigation and grazing industries will mean the Marshes will be forever cheated of water. While the Nature Reserve is indeed pretty much under lock and key, there are signs that with some thoughtful management and the care of people such as Berty, that the Marshes does have a future as a significant waterbird breeding site in Australia.

The fact is that humans do live in this environment, living within the demands of modern society. We can't expect the natural environment to be what it was, but we can work towards ensuring a secure future for those areas like the Marshes with a rich environmental heritage.

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Shifting perspective

I've been working on this project now since late November 2008. Until recently, my vision of the natural environment did not include people. I work with people who are passionate about preserving and rehabilitating our natural resources, I come from generations of farmers who had a vested interest in caring for the land. I understand there are people, like me who have this connection with the environment. So, why was it that I didn't picture people, even myself, in my vision for the environment?

This week I drove to Yeoval, about 70km south-east of Dubbo. On the way I stopped at the Wambangalang Field Study Centre near Toongi to speak with one of the teachers there, Matthew McKenzie. He spoke about his desire to see the kids who visit the centre connect with the environment. Then it was on to Yeoval, 20 minutes down the road where I'd arranged to meet up with two of the driving forces behind the Little River Landcare Group - Fergus Job and Pip Job. Both have a desire to engage the communities of their catchment in order to continue developing a healthy environment for themselves, their community and future generations. All with very limited financial resources and great uncertainty about future funding.

The shift in my perspective has occurred as a result of reflecting upon the interviews I conducted with Matthew, Fergus and Pip - and their insistence that humans are a critical part of the ecosystems of our catchment. It is only through human intervention that our environment stands any chance of surviving future climatic changes. From now on, my visions of a healthy environment might well be filled with happy, smiling children!

Monday, February 16, 2009

The issues are complex

There is no doubt that the issues surrounding the management of our natural environment are as complex as our relationship with it. The Junctions Environmental League chairman, Lance Howley has posted a comment on the site, and sent through the attached document (click on image to enlarge) to show what his concerns are for the environment in which he lives and works - which is on the junction of the Murray/Murrumbidgee, the Murray/Wakool and the Wakool/Edwards Rivers.

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Coming of Age interviews

As part of the Coming of Age Project, individuals are being interviewed about what the environment means to them. A sample of these interviews will be posted on this site. The first of these interviews is with Georgia, aged 7.

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

What do you value?

What do you value about the environment you live in?

What would you fight to preserve?

Participate in the Coming of Age Project and be part of a creative debate about the future of your community.
Simply post a comment below.
Image: (c) Kim V. Goldsmith, 2009, Cockatoo rising, video grab from work in development as part of the Coming of Age Project.

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Innovative thinking & new knowledge

Projects such as Coming of Age can contribute to innovative thinking and new knowledge about issues which are incredibly complex. Complex issues require informed input - which is why community involvement in this project is so important.

The late environmental scholar, George Seddon said in his book, Landprints: "It is an immensely complex debate, because conservation and planning issue reach deep into our economy, our ecology, our society, our language...The usual outcome of simplifying issues is simplistic conclusions, which often have consequences worse than the problems the measure was intended to address."

Plenty of evidence around us today of the simplistic approach...lets start getting creative!

In my past work as a regional arts administrator, it was clearly evident that communities have the capacity to tackle complex issues when they have the skills of empowerment - leadership, communication, negotiation, problem solving and values. Artists are leaders in innovation and creative problem solving, and the arts has a well documented history of capacity building within communities, see http://www.ccd.net/ and http://www.ccdnsw.org. For more information about cultural policy being more closely linked to innovations policy read the National ArtsEco Forum submission at http://www.innovation.gov.au/innovationreview/Documents/367-National_Arts_and_Ecology_Forum.pdf.

A recommended inspiring read is Big story country - great arts stories from regional Australia. Available by contacting Regional Arts NSW at http://www.regionalartsnsw.com.au.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts about our environmental future.

Friday, January 23, 2009

Invitation to participate

Individuals within the communities of Central West NSW are invited to contribute ideas to the art project, Coming of Age. Responses to the following questions are being sought.
  • What is your relationship to the environment in which you live?
  • What do you enjoy about the environment in which you live?
  • Describe your environment and the features you value.
  • Describe your favourite smells in the environment in which you live.
  • How healthy is your environment?
  • Have you witnessed change in your environment over your lifetime?
  • How critical is water in your environment?
  • Would your environment cope with less water in future?
  • Do you feel you have the capacity to change your environment for the better?
  • What do you wish for your environment in the year 2030 and beyond?

CSIRO's best estimate of climate change by 2030 would see an eight percent reduction in surface water availability and a 125 percent growth in groundwater extractions. Research also indicates an average temperature increase across the inland of up to two degrees C. What shape will our environment be in by 2030? We have 21 years before this Coming of Age.