For three weeks, Melbourne’s Sustainable Living Festival will aim to raise awareness of the ecological and social challenges that beset our environment today.
As its name suggests, the Sustainable Living Festival is both a celebration of the natural wonders our amazing planet is capable of producing and a way for everyone to learn more about how they can do their part to help the planet now and for future generations.
If you’re looking to improve your lifestyle and wish to contribute back to the planet, the festival has a vast lineup that’s sure to appeal. Here is just a small sample of things you can do between February 4 and February 28, which might appeal to the greenie hiding inside you!
Sustainable Architecture Walking Tour
Saturday, February 11 (10.00am – 11.30) | Meet at Melbourne Visitor Centre (Cnr Swanston St and Flinders St, Melbourne)
Photo: Trinh Le.
You probably walk pass a lot of these buildings everyday but how many are actually environmentally friendly and sustainable?
Tour the urban jungle of Melbourne as Melbourne Architours guides you through the city’s architecture and landscapes and share information on which buildings are the most environmentally conscientious why. Moreover, by simply walking around with the group you’ll be improving your wellbeing too!
These tours are guided by practicing architects, landscape architects and urban designers in Melbourne so students in these disciplines will no doubt benefit from hearing experts talk about the city’s infrastructure.
Move More, Sit Less – Walking Tours
Various times | Various locations
Did you know that by adding just 15 minutes of walking to your day, you can actually reduce the risk of falling of falling to a heart attack, stroke, type 2 diabetes or even cancer?
In an effort to improve the health of the people in Melbourne, City of Melbourne is hosting a series of simple 15 to 30 minute walking tours at Library at the Dock and Melbourne Town Hall which aim to get you motivated to be a little more active in your everyday life.
To register your interest, book in at the City of Melbourne’s official website. Be sure to bring along your best running/walking shoes!
RMIT Green Innovators
Saturday, February 11 (12.00 – 1.30pm) | The Greenhouse (Birrarung Marr, Melbourne)
Support your fellow students by attendingthe RMIT Green Innovators event. A festival favourite, the event sees students from RMIT University find green solutions through innovative ideas.
In previous years, student finalists have made a huge impression on the public with sustainable ideas ranging from seasonable kitchens to sustainable fashion and architecture. This year’s finalists will surely be no different. This event will take place at The Greenhouse along Birrarung Marr.
Just Eat It: A Food Waste Story (Free Screenings)
Various times | Various locations
Who doesn’t love a free film screening? As part of the Sustainable Living Festival, you can enjoy one of two free film screenings of the food waste documentary Just Eat It: A Food Waste Story. The film, which has enjoyed several festival screenings including one at Environmental Film Festival Australia, sees filmmakers and food lovers Jen and Grant literally dumpster dive their way into the issue of food waste in America, revealing the billions of dollars in food waste thrown away by Americans each year. This important documentary will certainly have you rethinking the way supermarkets promote their food.
There will be two screenings of Just Eat It; one will take place at Kathleen Syme Library and Community Centre (251 Faraday St, Carlton) and the other at Boyd Community Hub (207 City Rd, Southbank). They will take place on Wednesday, February 15 at 6.45pm and Wednesday, February 22 at 6.45pm respectively.
Sustainability at Queen Victoria Market
Saturday, February 18 (11.00am – 1.00pm) | Queen Victoria Market (513 Elizabeth St, Melbourne)
If you would like to see one Melbourne’s most iconic locations become even better and green then head down to Queen Victoria Market on Saturday, February 18 and share your thoughts on how the market can make improvements to become a more sustainable place to shop at.
Visitors who attend will receive free Queen Victoria Market bags and will be able to chat to the team in charge of the new market pavilion, set to open in late 2017, who have ensured that sustainability initiatives are met in the space and that traders can continue to operate throughout this renewal program.
For more events, simply visit the Sustainable Living Festival’s official website and learn more about how you can improve your health and integrate sustainable thinking into your everyday life.