NEWSNEWS

Your hot spot for a cool campus

Issue 11 January - June 2014100% recycled paper

Get more out of Uni... Get involved - Volunteer & make

new friends

Find out about:

Sustainability Club

JCU Permaculture

Community Gardens

Revegetating Atika Creek

Solar research - Green Sunshine

Ÿ

Ÿ

Ÿ

Ÿ

Ÿ

Ÿ

Ÿ

Ÿ Conservation Volunteers

Ÿ

JCU Bicycle User’s Group (BUG)

Bird watching on campus

2014 Sustainability Symposium

Get more out of Uni... Get involved - Volunteer & make

new friends

Find out about:

Ÿ Sustainability Club

Ÿ JCU Permaculture

Ÿ Conservation Volunteers

Ÿ Community Gardens

Ÿ Revegetating Atika Creek

Ÿ JCU Bicycle User’s Group (BUG)

Ÿ Bird watching on campus

Ÿ 2014 Sustainability Symposium

Ÿ Solar research - Green Sunshine

www.jcu.edu.au/tropeco

TropEco TropEco TropEco

TropEco2 , James Cook University, Tropical Queensland, Australia

Issue 11

January - June 2014

Contents

Contribute to TropEco News

Front Cover:

adam.connell@jcu.edu.au

Editor: Adam Connell

Sub Editor: Suzy Keys

3. What’s happening?

4. Students Restore Atika Creek

by Alana Valero & Samantha Forbes

5. Sustainability Club by Lucy Graham

6. Crescente Luce by Michael

Oelgemöller and Matthew Bolte

8. Community Garden Update by

Adam Connell

10. Birds Count by Suzy Keys

11. Conservation Volunteers Australia

12. Sustainability Symposium by Meg

Collis & Lania Lynch

If you have a sustainability related story or

event you want to talk about, please send it to

with relevant pictures

and we may put it up on the TropEco

Facebook page or publish it in TropEco

News.

TropEco News is published on 100% recycled paper and is also available online. Limited copies are printed to minimise resource consumption.

Looking after the environment

is no laughing matter. It’s a serious business for birds like the iconic Laughing Kookaburra, one of many birds that pass through or inhabit the Townsville and Cairns campuses. Revegetation is a great way to encourage healthy bird populations and TropEco is proud to support student and staff initiatives that create and increase bird habitats on campus. Photo: Suzy Keys.

E:

tropeco@jcu.edu.au

Welcome to a New Year and one that Indeed sustainability is about lots of promises to build considerably on our people taking small steps, engaging in efforts toward a sustainable JCU. In 2013 meaningful conversations and actions, we saw some wonderful achievements at and adjusting their lifestyle to one that JCU, such as winning the ACTS Award promotes community collaboration, of Excellence for Sustainability at the establishes strong local economies and Green Gown Awards Australasia, the first ensures diverse and healthy ecosystems.Sustainability Symposium and Fair

This is what we are trying to encourage (which will now be an annual event), and

through TropEco but we need YOU to the formation of the JCU Sustainability

join us on the journey.Club in Cairns, of which its members

So what will your next step be?have been extremely active in taking on projects to improve JCU's sustainability. Will you sign up to be a TropEco

Sustainability Intern and take on a project We've also seen the JCU Permaculture that you're passionate about while Society in Cairns continue to build its gaining recognition for your achieve-profile and run the weekly local food ments?market on campus in conjunction with

the Real Food Network, bringing much Will you start riding your bike to Uni, or needed community spirit and support for help out at the community garden and our local farmers to campus. gain important knowledge on how to

grow your own food in a productive way? Much of the success of these groups has been due to the Bachelor of Sustainability Will you source local products and course, which will produce its first minimise your waste production or cut graduates in 2014. This multi-disciplinary out plastic from your life? course has been responsible for some of

Will you attend the next TropEco movie the most active students on campus in night and learn about the importance of many years.bees to our survival or will you get

In Townsville we've seen the success of involved with the JCU Sustainability Club the JCU BUG bike workshop, with or Permaculture Society? students and staff provided free bike

There's many ways you can start servicing throughout the year (thanks to reducing your impact on this earth and Josh and Joe), along with the Green Bike the journey starts now. So whatever you Fleet, where second hand bikes have choose to do, get out there, tread lightly been given a new life and sold to and experience it.students at affordable prices. We've also

see the community garden at Rotary Adam Connell, evolve into a highly productive exemplar Manager, Environment Estate Office, of urban food production that is accessi- Division of Finance and Resource ble to the wider community. Planning,

James Cook University, These programs will continue to build in Angus Smith Drive, Douglas, Qld.4811 2014 and we encourage more students P: +617 4781 5060 and staff to get involved. Mobile: 0459 097 253

Letter from the EditorSustainability

Symposium 2014

The War of Waste

Friday April 11This is a free event & everyone welcome

Fair: Cairns 10 am - 3 pm Townsville 11 am - 2 pm. The Symposium: 10.30 am - 7 pm.

TropEco, James Cook University, Tropical Queensland, Australia 3

What’s happening?

FREE Bike Workshop

Townsville TropEco

Where & When?

provides free bike servicing for

students and staff (parts not

included). If your bike isn’t

running quite right, drop in and

see Josh at the workshop and

he’ll get you on the road in no

time.

The workshop is located at the

creek end of the library. Hours

of operation will be posted on

the workshop door once at the

start of semester.

Townsville has had one for a few years connect with us through the following. and now James Cook University in Cairns Facebook: jcu cairns BUG is set to get our own Bicycle Users Group. EmailIt started with a bountiful big breakfast during the annual Ride-to-Work/Uni last October attended by almost 20 riders- students, staff, and public. Our purpose?

Rock band ‘Queen’ was succinct when they sang “I want to ride my bicycle”, because at the end of the day, that is what this group was formed to do. Just ride and make sure that anyone who wants to ride can do so without prejudice.

2014 is set to be an exciting year with the goals that we have set ourselves, least of which involves setting up our own “green” bike fleet with the assistance of TropEco. If you would like to be part of our journey this year, join the club through our signup sheet at the JCU Student Association or

: jcucairnsbug@gmail.com

RememberThe Women’s Cycling Clinic will be held at Cairns campus in early 2014.

Let your friends know and register your interest for the next one by emailing lania.lynch@jcu.edu.au

Cairns Bicyle Users Group-BUG for short.

2014 will be an exciting year for the recently formed Cairns BUG as they set up their own GreenBike Fleet with the assistance of TropEco. By Hansley Gumbaketi, President of JCU Cairns BUG.

4 TropEco, James Cook University, Tropical Queensland, Australia

In 2013, Masters students Samantha Making light work for Samantha and Three months on and the planted Forbes and Alana Valero proposed and Alana, Dave Lloyd, Terry Genver and seedlings are growing with tremendous planned an onsite restoration project Russel Wild from the C.R.C Stratford strength and beauty, with some species titled “Restore Atika ”to improve the Nursery generously provided: Invaluable more than tripling in size. Of the 500 health of JCU Cairns Campus’ major project advice; a bobcat, auger and seedlings planted, Samantha and Alana natural asset, Atika Creek. machinery operator for digging holes; reported a minimal 1% seedling

500 delivered seedlings; and 6 mortality rate in the first 4 weeks with no This project was designed to highlight

truckloads of delivered mulch. major post-planting weed concerns. the need for and begin the long-term rehabilitation and restoration of the Not only have the aesthetic values of the highly degraded riparian zone within the two sites greatly improved, but the

Funded by TropEco, the Restore Atika Cairns Campus. With a primary focus on ecological values of the Atika Creek

Planting Day was a great success. With a local ecological features, Restore Atika riparian zone are expected to increase

volunteer planting team of 30 JCU staff assists the presence and resilience of exponentially as time continues after

and student members (and their onsite regional ecosystems including planting. Samantha and Alana are now

enthusiastic children), an impressive 500 the endangered regional ecosystem in the planning stages of a string of

seedlings were planted with love, watered-7.3.12b. subsequent plantings and projects to

in and mulched across the two sites. extend upon and compliment the

After months of planning, proposals, Although the volunteers were willing to “Restore Atika” 2013 project, and to

organization and preparation, the initial sweat it out for the sake of re-creating a furthermore increase the health and

“Restore Atika Planting Day” was set for healthier riparian ecosystem, TropEco quality of ecosystems existing within &

November 9th 2013, with approval to kindly rewarded the hard-working surrounding the JCU Cairns Campus.

restore two degraded sites within the planting team with cold organic juices

JCU Cairns Campus. With the in-kind If you want to get involved please and a delicious selection of fresh

assistance and continued support from contact: lunchtime treats upon completion of

the Cairns Regional Council, preparation planting, both earned and enjoyed.

for planting couldn’t have been easier.

500 seedlings planted with love

Alana.valero@my.jcu.edu.au Samantha.forbes@my.jcu.edu.au

Students restore Atika...

one seedling at a time

Alana Valero and Samantha Forbes

TropEco, James Cook University, Tropical Queensland, Australia 5

Sustainability is becoming an important In 2013 presenters included the Cairns Within the Cairn’s community we have element in today’s society, and as it and Far North Environment Centre, who volunteered with CAFNEC on the grows, a variety of students studying spoke about the sustainable projects that Solarhub project, with EnviroCare’s different degrees require sustainability they are implementing in the community restoration, frog monitoring and green subjects. Sustainability is a word which and how the club members could become corridor projects, participated in local is still very ambiguous to the everyday involved through volunteering. rallies towards sustainable futures and person. Even those studying the worked with the Tropfutures program.

Terrain presented the multiple natural undergraduate degree at James Cook

resource management projects that they At the annual TropEco Awards Ceremony University (JCU) can find the subject

are running and how future graduates the Club received two awards in recogni-very expansive. So to further the

can contribute to that field of work. tion of their efforts towards community understanding of sustainability, how it

and cultural engagement. can be implemented and what it looks The Cairns Action For Sustainable like in action, the JCU sustainability Club Transport and EnviroCare also presented Receiving the TropEco Community was formed. their efforts as a community groups, Award Highly commended and the

showcasing that sustainability is a whole TropEco Culture Award Highly com-The JCU Sustainability Club was

community effort. mended. The Sustainability Club is founded by Johanna Kloot at the

looking at furthering their action and beginning of 2013. In it’s first year of These are just some of the fantastic

strengthening community engagement existence, the club has been a great presentations the club held in 2013.The

into 2014. success. James Cook University is club also received excellent opportunities working to be a leader in Sustainability to participate in workshops initiated The weekly presentations will continue and has fostered an environment in through TropEco and other university and the club is looking at having 11 which the Club has prospered. initiatives. ongoing projects for the year. For any

student whether studying Sustainability or The Sustainability Club has attracted Club members participated in the

not, the club provides a hands on students from many different courses Strategising For Change Workshop by

experience. and members of the Cairns community Kerryn O’Connor and From Sitting on The and therefore has a wide range of Couch to Changing the World by Sustainability is a lifestyle, an everyday intellect and ideas. The Sustainability Professor James Arvanitakis. The club has practice and something that is integral to Club works to empower students and implemented and supported many our ongoing existence, the club provides community members to become active projects throughout campus and the an opportunity to gain experience and in sustainable projects. community. work before you graduate or even as a

community member who wants to learn Each week the Sustainability Club hosts On campus the sustainability club

and be involved.an event, usually a presentation from a provided integral support to the Atika member of the community, a related film restoration project, the student associa-or workshops to enhance the skills of tion’s Green Switch Program and the members. Safer Together Forum.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/129551637238199/

Sustainability Sustainability Club members are implementing and supporting projects that increase their under-standing of what sustainability means for them and the community. By Lucy Graham

Club - Cairns campus

JCU's motto is crescente luce - which means ‘light ever increasing’ and this is exactly what members of the Applied and Green Photochemistry group at JCU are doing.

The ChemistryThe Technology

The Team

Figure 2: Associate Professor Michael Developed by Professor Robert Liu at the Oelgemöller (left) and Matthew Bolte University of Hawaii, these simple devices (right) with some solar fragrances. use natural water systems as heat-sinks.

At JCU, this technology is coupled with solar driven equipment for aeration, which makes this the first solar-powered, solar-chemical application. The device is independent from any electrical power or cooling water supplies, which makes it especially interesting for environmental Natural sunlight can be a very effective applications. Recently, the group has also reagent for stimulating chemical reactions. become interested in harvesting solar With over 300 days of sunshine, Townsville heat. This novel research stream aims at receives plenty of solar radiation and this the production of natural insect repellents sustainable energy can be harvested for that can help to protect us from insect-free. born tropical diseases.

As part of their 'Solar Chemicals from and for the Tropics' initiative the research team

Oxygen-transfer reactions at JCU is using this natural resource to Typically, reactions are first optimized (photooxygenations) are especially generate valuable commodity chemicals indoors using lamp-driven reactors before suitable for solar applications. They are and pharmaceuticals of interest to the being transferred to outdoor conditions. also industrially relevant in the fragrance tropical region. The group is well equipped with a variety and flavor industry. These reactions are of solar reactors that range from a few catalyzed with the help of organic dyes, hundred milliliters to dozens of liters in most commonly Rose bengal, which gives The group in the Discipline of Chemistry is scale. Demonstration- to production-scale the reaction mixtures the distinct deep red led by Associate Professor Michael reactions are conducted in custom-made

2 color. Oelgemöller and assisted by Matthew 1 m flatbed reactors (<8 L) or in a 2Bolte. The team brings together graduate, commercially available 2 m Compound These dyes are activated by sunlight and

undergraduate and internship students Parabolic Collector (CPC; <50 L). transfer this access energy to molecular and research volunteers from within JCU

oxygen that is supplied by bubbling air The team has successfully realized several and across the world. into the reaction mixture. This energy kilogram-scale syntheses of valuable exchange creates an activated oxygen This multidisciplinary and international fragrances as well as herbicides. Located

1species known as singlet oxygen ( O ). environment has created a creative and 2near the coast, the research team is energetic research group that is recog- This species can react with a variety of furthermore investigating applications of nized globally for its work on solar chemical groups within a molecule, thus 'solar floats'. photochemistry. incorporating oxygen into the product

structure.

10 TropEco, James Cook University, Tropical Queensland, Australia

Crescente Luce Light is ever increasing in the

Applied and Green Photochemistry research group at JCU

Light is ever increasing in the Applied and Green Photochemistry

research group at JCU

By Michael Oelgemöller and Matthew Bolte

Figure 1: JCU's Armorial Ensigns with the university motto embedded.

6 TropEco, James Cook University, Tropical Queensland, Australia

The targeted chemicals examined within The research group is currently investigat-the Applied and Green Photochemistry ing the solar-thermal synthesis of the

M. Bolte, K. Klaeden, A. Beqiraj, M. group are of particular interest for the local powerful insect repellent para-

Oelgemöller “Photochemistry Down Under economy in Northern Queensland. The menthanediol (PMD). Compared to

– Solar Chemicals from and for the sugar industry, for example, offers a common petrochemical-based repellents,

Tropics” EPA Newslett. 2013, 84, 79-83.steady access to bioethanol and furfural, a PMD has a very pleasant odor and is

E. E. Coyle, M. Oelgemöller “Solar compound obtained from sugarcane produced sustainably from renewable Photochemistry – From the Beginnings of bagasse. The solar transformation of biomass. Organic Photochemistry to the Solar furfural in ethanol yields a compound

The group is also expanding its activities Production of Chemicals”; in: CRC known as hydroxyfuranone. A potent

to the synthesis of pharmaceuticals for Handbook of Organic Photochemistry and herbicide on its own, it can be further

tropical diseases such as malaria. This Photobiology, 3. edition, CRC Press, Boca converted into novel fragrances or

important work has recently received Raton 2012, Chapter 10, pp. 237-248.pharmaceuticals.

funding from the Clinton Health Access M. Oelgemöller, C. Jung, J. Mattay “Green The team at JCU has made this versatile Initiative and the Australian Institute of photochemistry: Production of fine material successfully on kg-scales within Tropical Health and Medicine (AITHM).chemicals with sunlight” Pure Appl. days. Likewise, the solar conversion of

In conclusion, JCU's location in tropical Chem., 2007, 79, 1939-1947.essential oils into valuable fragrances or

North Queensland offers excellent solar organic insect repellants offers a range of

Copies of these articles and more are conditions and vast biomass resources. new and 'green' products for the local

available via The Applied and Green Photochemistry essential oils industry. A representative

group has embraced these abundant E-Mail: example is the industrially relevant

natural resources for the sustainable conversion of citronellol into the important Homepage: production of high-value chemicals of fragrance rose oxide. At JCU, the three-

economic importance to the region. step process incorporating its solar key-

Together with other solar research step was performed successfully on large-

activities at JCU, solar photochemistry can scale within a week. The amount of final

help to create a new Green Chemical product was enough to cover the annual

Industry in the region.demand of a small perfume manufacturer.

References

ResearchOnline@JCU

michael.oelgemoeller@jcu.edu.au

http://www.jcu.edu.au/phms/chemistry/staff/JCUPRD1_059861.html

Figure 3: Matthew with the demonstration-scale solar CPC reactor and Ines Stock (insert) with a solar float.

TropEco, James Cook University, Tropical Queensland, Australia 7

The Sunshine Edible Garden at Rotary International House continues to expand and has seen several produc-tive crops harvested since its first wicking beds were constructed during September 2013.

A large range of plants have been grown to date, ranging from traditional crops such as tomatoes, eggplants, chillies, pumpkins, corn, watermelon, rocket and a variety of popular herbs, to lesser known varieties, often suited to our tropical environment, such as loofah, arrowroot, cassava, kangkong (water spinach), tree spinach, vietnamese mint, rosella, perennial coriander, brahmi, mushroom plant, and bitter melon.

Under the expert eye of Brett Pritchard, the garden has expanded to include 9 wicking beds with different designs and materials being trialled. The community garden is being used as an example of how to design high quality, productive systems for urban back

Community garden UpdateCommunity garden Update

Shade house

E-wood beds

The Sunshine Edible Garden at Rotary House in Townsville survived 4 weeks of hot weather and little rain thanks to the wicking beds designed by Bret Pritchard it’s still looking great and producing food. Adam Connell reports on its progress.

8 TropEco, James Cook University, Tropical Queensland, Australia

yards and showcases several designs for different budgets and garden sizes.

E-wood sleepers – a new product made from recycled printer cartridges - is one of the materials being trialled, along with beds made from ACQ treated pine and CCS treated pine (all from plantation forests). ACQ treated pine is considered a safer alternative to the more toxic CCS treated pine, and is used in kindergar-tens and pre-schools, however the CCS wicking beds are lined with plastic and painted with bitumen to ensure there is no chance of toxins leaching to the soil.

Some of the wicking beds are being designed as multi-level beds, to cater for the needs of various plants and to make them more attractive. Some plants are water loving and like to have their roots constantly wet whereas others like it a little less moist.

The multi-level herb cube is a good example of how to cater for different plant needs in one wicking bed and is compact, cheap to build and would look great in a small backyard.

The Christmas break saw the garden left to fend for itself for four weeks with very hot weather and virtually no rain. Some plants took a bit of a hammering but most are still thriving thanks to the wicking bed design. Apart from a few casualties the garden is still looking great and there's plenty of produce ready to be harvested such as cucumbers, butternut pumpkins, chillies, rocket, tree

Smart Start 100 Finding 100 savings for JCU

Does leaving the lights on bug you? Are your colleagues leaving their computers on overnight? Is there a leaky tap in your tea room? Is the A/C too cold in your office?

The JCU Estate Office is running the Smart Start 100 program in 2014, which aims to identify 100 ways JCU can reduce energy, water and waste. But we need your help!

If you see something that isn't quite right or you have a suggestion on how something can be improved to make it more efficient, please let us know. By working together to reduce our energy, water and waste consumption we can help the environment and save money that can go to more important areas, like learning, teaching and research.

Please send your suggestions to and help us make

a difference.

tropeco@jcu.edu.au

spinach, loofah, rosellas, arrowroot and loads of herbs.

The new shade structure, made from disused trampolines, is a great place to escape the hot sun and the cucumbers and watermelons are winding their way through the frame to provide additional shade and food.

The large worm farm is finished with the worms recently introduced to their new home.

Workshops will be held regularly in 2014 at the garden with both residents and the general public and we expect these to commence during O-week. We'll be raising more seeds and planting some seedlings over the coming weeks in preparation for the Rotary residents to return to their productive garden.

If you would like to be kept up to date of any future workshops or would like to see the garden for yourself you can check out the TropEco Facebook page or email tropeco@jcu.edu.au to be added to the garden mailing list.

Workshops in 2014

Herb cube

Worm farm

TropEco, James Cook University, Tropical Queensland, Australia 9

Birds count

Revegetation is not just about aesthetics, soil erosion, carbon sequestering, shade etc. It’s also about creating healthy and appropriate habitats for birds, animals and insects. Suzy Keys takes a quick peek at the birds on our campuses.

Photo by Suzy Keys

Cairns campus is blessed with the thought it would be great to have a volunteers to collect data about the birds Boathouse from where nature can be separate list for each campus. Any on the Cairns campus. It might be worth observed from the deck close up in the volunteers for the job? reading some of the extracts or papers adjoining rainforest along Atika Creek. on this subject before getting started.

The Townsville campus is much bigger This rainforest was planted about 20 The names and emails of JCU research-

and has a much drier climate than years ago by JCU students who formed ers are also included in the conference

Cairns, with different habitats that attract a Landcare group to undertake the papers. Happy hunting.

different species of birds. revegetation of what was formerly a cane

Further research revealed that JCU field and is now home to goannas and a hosted the 6th Biennial Australasian variety of butterflies, insects and birds.Ornithological Conference in October

Recently, TropEco News Editor Adam 2011 at the Cairns Campus, chaired by

Connell and I were on the deck discuss-Brad Congdon from the Cairns Campus.

ing the next edition, when a bird flew into The first plenary paper presented was on the nearby trees. "What bird was that?" I ‘The Importance of Birds in Australian asked Adam, but we both failed to get a Ecosystems’. Brad spoke about his good look and the bird disappeared into research into the Cassowary and it's the greenery. seed dispersal impacts in the rain forest.

I suggested that we start looking at One that caught my eye, was by Dr. whether there was a list of birds that call Ayesha Tulloch from UQ into biases of the Cairns campus home. I found an volunteers when collecting bird data, extensive list on JCU’s website of birds, considering that a huge amount of data plants, animals, fungi etc. which does not

Programme and Abstractsis collected by volunteers. It appears that list them for each campus, so it’s a time the choice of habitats and regions that consuming job to search the list of 100

volunteers choose to collect data from, plus birds individually to find out which

List of birds on JCU campus can and does, skew the data.birds are on each campus. I stopped

after the Laughing Kookaburra and I wondered if TropEco can enlist some

Some birds from Cairns campusAzure Kingfisher Australian Brush Turkey White-breasted Woodswallow Bush Stone-CurlewSulphur-Crested Cockatoo Brush CuckooPheasant CoucalWhite-rumped swiftlet White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike Pied butcherbirdSpangled Drongo Willy wag tail Laughing Kookaburra

www.birdlife.org.au/documents/AOC-Cairns2011.pdf

www.public.jcu.edu.au/discovernature/animals/birds/index.htm

A healthy habitat is not a joking matter for these Laughing Kookaburras.

TropEco 10 , James Cook University, Tropical Queensland, Australia

TropEco, James Cook University, Tropical Queensland, Australia 11

Contacts: Townsville - Ph. +61 (0)7 4721 4077 Mob. 0409 934 263 E. wwillcox@conservationvolunteers.com.au

www.facebook.com/CVAustralia

For more information, visit: / www.conservationvolunteers.com.au www.conservationvolunteers.co.nz

Mark Friday the 11th of April in 2014 will see the program expand to your diary - the Second Annual include a fair in Townsville, with all Sustainability Symposium and presentations available on both Fair is coming! This year we will be campuses.tackling the increasingly real problems of consumerism and Speakers include: Kim Humphery, waste, with an exciting lineup of author of 'Excess: Anti local and international speakers. Consumerism in the West', The

Simplicity Institute’s Mark Burch, Consumerism has been defined as alternative lifestyle practitioner Linda “a social and economic order that Cockburn and JCU's Dr Maxine encourages the purchase of goods Newlands, Dr Hongbo Lui and Dr and services in ever-greater Breda McCarthy. amounts”; an ideology that has clear implications for our finite Times: Fair: Cairns 10 am - 3 pm global resources. Townsville 11 am - 2 pm .

The symposium: 10.30 am – 7 pm. This year we are lucky to have Kim This is a free event and everyone is Humphery, author of Excess: Anti- welcome.Consumerism in the West, present-ing both the keynote and public For more information visit lecture in the evening. Humphery http://alumni.jcu.edu.au/2014SusSyhas developed an international mpFairreputation for his work on the history, theorisation and politics of consumption and consumerism.

If you find yourself short on time at the event be sure not to miss the TED-style sessions, where a number of different approaches to consum-erism will be presented in quick succession.

You'll learn about the implications of rising consumerism in China and India; what it's like to live without spending a cent for six months; how 'voluntary simplicity' may soon be made redundant by the need for involuntary simplicity; and how social media has been used to spark large scale protests such as the Occupy movement.

Meet your NEW

Sustainability OfficerHi JCU!

My name’s Meg - I’ll be your Sustainability Officer for Cairns this year while Lena Taylor takes time out with her new bub. I’ve been working at JCU for 2 years now, primarily co-ordinating FSE’s engagement with local schools and developing a sustainability schools’ network for our region.

We’re lucky here at JCU to have an excellent team working in many different areas to make the university a more environmentally - friendly, sustainable and enjoyable place to be. If you have never been involved with any sustainability activities, make 2014 the year, ‘cause I promise you, you’re missing out!

TropEco regularly runs fun events in conjunction with other groups (e.g. free Ride-to-Uni breakfasts). Keep an eye out for details of the Sustainability Club's weekly social events, which will kick off early in Semester 1 (If anyone in Townsville is reading this and feels jealous, contact me to start a branch of the club. We'd love to help!).

This year you can look forward to the second annual Sustainability Symposium and Fair, more clothes-and-stuff swaps, free healthy lunches, movie nights, and the opportunity to gain experience through the Sustainability Internship and professional development programs; to name a few.

I'm lucky to have the opportunity to work with such a fantastic group of committed and enthusiastic people this year. I hope you'll join us, for all or part of the journey. I'd confidently bet the lovely office plants Lena left in my care, that the sustainability folks you'll meet are friendly, so don't be shy!

If you have an idea for a sustainability project or want to get involved with any of the activities mentioned above contact Meg on (07) 4042 1084 or meg.collis@jcu.edu.au

2014 Sustainability Symposium and Fair:

The War of Waste

Photo:Suzy Keys. Rubbish collected from Cairns Esplanade beach in 1 morning.