BREAZE

Well, it is certainly a strange feeling to be writing my last report as EO of BREAZE!  It is three and half years since I began my involvement with what I think is one of the most exciting and essential community movements in the world. I had previously worked in various roles in sustainability planning in government and private practice, often feeling like a lone environmental voice in these conversations. My first experience of BREAZE was at the “From Despair to Empowerment” workshop with John Seed in early 2007 – 170 like-minded and motivated people gathered to learn about ways to take action on climate change – very inspiring and irresistible!

The real strength of BREAZE is its focus on achieving local action to demonstrate ways of living differently and sustainably – essentially living well with less. An amazing thing we know through the BREAZE Climate of Change project last year was that BREAZErs on average use about half of the electricity of the other Ballarat households. This is true testament that personal action can really make a difference – both in reducing our individual impact as well as demonstrating to others that the good sustainable life really is possible.  

We are collecting stories from our members to put onto the BREAZE website to show what can be done. Let us know if you have a story you would like to share by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . The EcoLiving Ballarat project that will be launched in early 2011 will also be a fantastic opportunity to extend and demonstrate local action.

But, climate change predictions remain grim. We are tracking towards temperature rises that humanity (as we know it) will not be able to endure. We find ourselves in an unfortunate situation where government and bureaucratic processes are not well designed to tackle a problem of this nature and magnitude. 

So, the challenge to us is to help them, our politicians, with this task by showing our support for change. I have been thinking a lot lately about how lucky we are to live in a democracy, but how rarely we take advantage of this. Our decision makers assume that we are happy with their decisions if we do not tell them otherwise. With two elections looming this is a crucial time to voice your opinion - let our politicians know that you plan to Vote Climate this year, and that you want strong action on climate change! It's as easy as writing a quick letter, email or making our phone call to our local representatives - we have list on the BREAZE website to make it super easy.  We've had lots of meetings with our local politicians this year - they are very approachable and will be happy to hear from you - so make the most of our democracy and let them know what you think.

I would like to wish everyone in BREAZE all the best on your sustainability journey. It is an extraordinary challenge for a community to come together and work together to achieve a common good - our goal of Zero Emissions by 2020! BREAZE has survived (well, actually thrived) over the past 3 1/2 years and now represents a great cross-section of our community, with many achievements and strong support from many sectors. I will watch very keenly from the other side of planet to see how things travel over the next year or so!

Finally, a big thank you to all BREAZE volunteers and employees who have worked hard to make BREAZE a welcoming, active, focused and effective community organisation. And of course, best wishes to Geoff Adams as the new EO! 

Happy retrofitting, local food growing and cooking, walking, cycling and public transporting, installing and investing in renewable energy and advocating for a sustainable future to all!

Lisa

Post script - Not much happening in my garden over the last couple of months! But, we have been eating our way through our bottled and preserved summer/autumn produce. Home grown bottled tomatoes - wow! Very satisfying and yummy. We have even had a mulberry pie with the frozen berries. I am looking forward to having a flourishing veggie garden in Kilkenny, and getting great fresh produce at the local farmers market.