Author: Peter O'Connor

A working career within marketing from financial services to a family restaurant business. Now focused on the issues of importance to myself and family to improve the health of the environment in which we live

Plastic – Unfinished or misadventure

Plastics are the most common form of marine debris. They can come from a variety of land and ocean-based sources; enter the water in many ways; and impact the ocean and Great Lakes. Once in the water, plastic debris never fully biodegrades. Yellow text in the above graphic shows sources of plastic that eventually end up in the ocean. Orange text shows ways that these plastics move into the ocean. Red text provides examples of the harmful impacts of this debris. Reference US Department of Commerce – National Ocean Service

Yesterday – Today – the Future

It is difficult to understand how Plastic would have been approved and released had we known the impact on our environment and ourselves.

Whilst you can understand the development and rise in popularity of its use at the end of WWII in the circumstances that exited at the time the same cannot be said for our continued use without addressing the issues that are now known.

Plastic & Water – a lethal combination

Plastic never completely biodegrades making its accumulation in any environment an issue that must be addressed. In water its impact on the environment is that of a serial killer. As it claims victims, their bodies are returned to the environment however the plastic that caused its death remains to claim new victims. Consider:

  • Marine Life are ingesting or being entangled in our waste plastic causing many to suffocate or starve as their stomachs fill up with plastic they have mistaken for food *
  • Microplastics have been found in  tap water, beer, salt and are present in all samples collected in the world’s oceans. The chemicals used in the production of plastic and others that attach to microplastics accumulates into our food. The transfer of contaminants between marine species and humans through consumption of seafood has been identified as a health hazard, but has not yet been adequately researched. *
  • The healthy worlds oceans account for over 1/2 of our oxygen produced everyday **
Where to from here?

The most important decision to be made is to commit to taking an active interest.  

  • Research some of the many articles that are freely available to obtain opinions. A great number of articles need to be researched and considered on the merit of the author or their allegiance. Have they a vested interest in a particular view. 
  • Form your own opinion by balancing the research you considered.
  • Consider what you can do in your life to assist. The recent events of CoVid-19 and Carbon emission have demonstrated that the world’s issues are not ones we can rely on others to effectively deal with. We must all make an effort to assist no matter how small.
  • Do it and tell your family and friends to encourage them to do likewise
My action plan

Much of the research I have used in forming my opinion is referenced in this blog. With 300 million tons of plastic produced every year and 8% ending up in our oceans, I believe we have created too significant an issue to simply look for alternatives to plastic and walk away leaving the stockpile to endanger our way of life.

There needs to be a commitment to research and develop ways to biodegrade plastic both in the future and current stockpiles or alternatively utilise it in new developed products that do not now or in the future create an issue for the environment. I will make every lawfull effort to encourage the development of a strategy to assist.

In addition, I am committed to doing what I can for the health of myself, family, local residents and the environment my commitment includes:

  • Reducing my use of plastic (particularly single use) at home with rubbish, storage, cooking/reheating, purchasing – for overall usage I consider alternatives
  • On my daily walks (particularly along the foreshores) look for, pickup and put into rubbish discarded pieces of plastic & glass regardless of size
  • compost food scraps, lawn clippings etc to provide healthy soils to produce our own vegetables & herbs
  • purchase food locally from farmers committed to regenerative agriculture
  • when we go to enjoy the outdoors with local takeaway meals we support Surfrider Foundation Australia Ocean Friendly outlets and take our own reusable cutlery

Very happy to share this journey with other like minded individuals to get/provide ideas and encourage others to join

References

*   International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

** National Geographic

How to support Co Vid-19 recovery locally

Spending at your local farmers’ market adds extra dollars to the local economy

Spending $50 buying local product from local farmers at local markets adds a minimum $150 to your local economy. Spend $50 with a local farmer – the farmers spends it locally (now $100) and they spend it locally (now $150). Spend $50 with a national retailer – $3 stays within the local economy – the local employee spends it locally (now $6) and they spend it locally (now $9). Which supports the locally economy best $150 or $9 – that extra effort to support locally contributes to a strong vibrant local economy. read more

Other reasons to support your local farmers

  • Taste Real Flavours

The fruits and vegetables you buy at the farmers market are the freshest and tastiest available. Fruits are allowed to ripen fully in the field and are brought directly to you—no long-distance shipping, no gassing to simulate the ripening process, no sitting for weeks in storage. This food is as real as it gets—fresh from the farm.

  • Know Where Your Food Comes From

A regular trip to a farmer’s market is one of the best ways to connect with where your food comes from. Meeting and talking to farmers and food artisans is a great opportunity to learn more about how and where food is produced.  Connectivity is available in the food community – see websites and social media pages that provides transparency of the farmer to know their story. Learn about the people who work hard to bring you the most delicious and nutritious food around

  • Learn Cooking Tips, Recipes, and Meal Ideas

Few grocery store cashiers or produce stockers will give you tips on how to cook the ingredients you buy, but farmers, ranchers, and artisans at the farmers market are often passionate cooks with plenty of free advice about how to cook the foods they are selling. Many have recipes on line to access the best cooking advice from the producer.

  • Enjoy the Season

The food you buy at the farmers market is seasonal. It is fresh and delicious and reflects the truest flavours. Shopping and cooking from the farmers market help you to reconnect with the cycles of nature in your region. As you look forward to asparagus in spring, savour sweet corn in summer, or bake pumpkins in autumn, you reconnect with the earth, the weather, and the turning of the year.

  • Support Family Farmers

Family farmers need your support, now that large agribusiness dominates food production. Small family farms often have a determination to manage their raw materials with sustainable and renewable practices to ensure they are available for future generations. Buying directly from farmers gives them a better return for their produce, encourages them and others to undertake sustainable food practices and gives them a fighting chance in today’s globalized economy.

  • Protect the Environment

Food travels an average of 1,000 miles to get to your plate. All this shipping uses large amounts of natural resources (especially fossil fuels), contributes to pollution, and creates rubbish with extra packaging. Conventional agriculture also uses many more resources than sustainable agriculture and pollutes water, land, and air with agricultural by-products. Food at the farmers market is transported shorter distances and is generally grown using methods that respect the land and water minimizing the impact on the earth.

  • Nourish Yourself

Much food found in grocery stores is highly processed and grown using pesticides, hormones, antibiotics, and genetic modification. Some of it has been irradiated, waxed, or gassed in transit. These practices may have negative effects on human health. In contrast, most food found at the farmers market is minimally processed, and many of our farmers go to great lengths to grow the most nutritious produce possible by using sustainable techniques, picking produce right before the market.

  • Discover the Spice of Life: Variety

At the farmers market you find an amazing array of produce that you don’t see in your average supermarket: lemongrass, purple cauliflower, truffles, marinated varieties of meats, green garlic, watermelon radishes, quail eggs and much, much more. It is a wonderful opportunity to savour the biodiversity of our planet.

  • Promote Humane Treatment of Animals

At the farmers market, you can find meats, cheeses, and eggs from animals that have been raised without hormones or antibiotics, who have grazed on green grass and eaten natural diets, and who have been spared the cramped and unnatural living conditions of feedlots and cages that are typical of animal agriculture.

  • Connect with Your Community

Wouldn’t you rather stroll amidst outdoor stalls of fresh produce on a sunny day than roll your cart around a grocery store with artificial lights and piped in music? Coming to the farmers market makes shopping a pleasure rather than a chore. The farmers market is a community hub—a place to meet up with your friends, bring your children, or just get a taste of small-town life in the midst of our wonderful big city.

Farmers Markets are evolving

Home delivery & Market delivery

Farmers’ Markets have developed within our communities with regular markets building the relationships between the Consumer and the Farmer. The chance to meet, learn their story and commitment to the produce and the soil and water they manage to produce it. Not to forget the preparation tips and recipes that they make available.

The current CoVid-19 virus, with the forced temporary closure of many markets, has seen the development of the relationship to include home delivery and in some markets a group home delivery where you can order the produce from more than one farmer and have it packed and at your door in one delivery (1 delivery charge). 

Looking at the Sydney markets the likes of The Market Drop and Lucy, Paul & Zoe The work is undertaken by the stallholders themselves adding a certain surety to product quality & service.

Will it ever replace the actual markets? – not a chance; the markets are where relationships are built and understanding and respect for their contribution to our health and wellbeing are appreciated. They will however have a future, just like the online order and home delivery service offered by the Supermarkets. It is handy if regular attendance to the markets cannot be assured – personal commitments, weather – hopefully no more pandemics

View the farmer, the markets and the delivery options of these stallholders on this purpose built Sourced Club app 

Let me tell you about

Let me tell you about the O'Connors

Their participation in our Defense services and
involvement in active duty to support our country
Australia

From WW1 to a Peace Keeping force in East Timor
our relatives have stood up when required

We are very proud of every single one of them

20/7/1885 - 12/2/1969

Joseph Patrick O'Connor

9/4/1901 - 9/6/1945

Alfred Bruce Edward Crane

14/5/1924 - 3/3/2006

Joseph Jeremiah O'Connor

14/10/1925 - 19/8/2007

Peter Alfred Crane

30/7/1960 -

John Francis O'Connor

Know your Farmer No 1

Biodiversity, regenerative farming, sustainable agriculture some of the terms used by your farmers who are supplying you quality products that you can put on the table for your family.

If we are looking to put food on the table for our family why do we only consider price and convenience?

When considering your purchases for a motor vehicle, TV or other household appliance we will use the ease and convenience of technology to be informed on quality, price, delivery, safety for family and longevity to make the best decision….

Are we really connecting with the people who matter the most? The people who contribute to our lives in meaningful and essential ways? Are we acknowledging the role that these individuals play in our health, well-being and education? And that of our children and family?

Your local farmers can supply your food needs with products that are more nourishing as they are fresher having travelled less kilometres to your plate and have utilised practices that are more sensitive to the environment.

Biodiversity, regenerative farming, sustainable agriculture… all of these terms are the focus of your local farmer. Their knowledge put into practice ensures our landscape captures and utilises water more efficiently and provides nourishment to replenish the planet.

Their story; commitment to consumers and respect for the animals & environment will provide you with a transparent look into your food community from paddock to plate.
Utilise your technology to get to know your farmer.

To assist I will be preparing some blogs under the heading of Know your Farmer that will highlight some of the work being carried out by our hard working farmers committed to nurturing our planet back to health as well as our family.

Brian Kiss https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPDUlZC0-yU

Charlie Arnott https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezDmkuCahHQ

Charlie Arnott https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oev1sJiE4gk

Henry Sheehan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXYFCcthg2w

Save Killalea State Park

A State Government making moves to develop Killalea which was donated to the public to protect it for future generations to enjoy

Why we all need to help preserve Killalea

Killalea State Park is rich in heritage from its Aboriginal custodians to its use as farmland and recreational activities resulting in it being recognised on 6th June 2009 by the then NSW State Government as a  National Surfing Reserve acknowledging it as an iconic site of cultural and historic significance in Australian surfing.

The Aboriginal custodians of the Illawarra area are the Elders of the Elouera, Korewal & Jerrungarugh tribes. Killalea park has several significant aboriginal cultural sites including middens, quarries and women’s birthing trees. These sites require ongoing protection from further environmental and human impact.

The park is a magical coastal reserve with vegetation communities including Banksia scrub/ woodland, Westringia closed heath and sub-tropical rainforest. The park is also home to several endangered plant communities including remnant dry subtropical rainforest, littoral rainforest and small patches of the Melaleuca armillaris dominant Tall Shrubland. These plant communities exist in highly fragmented patches, but they are home to several endangered species.

View more information in this 9 Min segment from Gardening Australia episode 29 in 2019

What is Happening

The NSW Government has transferred Management of the Killalea State Park to the NSW Crown Holiday Parks Land Manager Board with appointed Directors effectively sidelining the democratically elected representatives.

My concerns are many and you may agree with some or all however there is sufficient concerned raised by the local community that this change is not in the best interest of the Park or the original intentions of the donors and therefore should be reversed.

Development required or financial motivated

  1. There has been no information supplied that would in anyway indicate that additional development is required in the Shellharbour / Kiama area for tourist accommodation. At the moment accommodation for Tourists is supplied by Private investment and Local Government and it would be best for taxpayers if the growth is left with private investment and State funding be allocated to more critical issues.
  2. Unnecessary new development is a waste of resources and increases environmental issues particularly if the existing infrastructure can accommodate growth
  3. Many are concerned, and I am one, that the intention of Government is to create an asset they can then privatise for profit
  4. Development in such a pristine environment should be a last resort. 

Development on a State Reserve

  1. I am mystified that this State Body needs to do the development on Killalea State Park when its own website states that “many Reflections Holiday Parks are also close to, or adjoining some of our most pristine reserves”. My concern is that the development will take place and then the State Park will be divided to allow separate entitlement to the developed land

Local V's State or Global Economy

  1.  Again Reflections website acknowledges that they “are an important part of local and regional communities and economies” which is contrary to these actions. The Kiama & Shellharbour Tourism market is dominated by infrastructure in the hands of either private individuals or local Council ensuring money earned remains to strengthen our Local Economy. This proposal  would see a good chunk of the financial support transferred to the State coffers in the interim and to a National or lost to a Global economy in the event of privatisation.  The State Government has form that when decisions are to made regarding Acquisitions or Sales that Price is the determining factor with no regard for the benefit of spending within your market.

NSW Crown Holiday Parks Land Manager Board

  1.  The current makeup of the Board does not suggest there is equal consideration for the conservation, cultural heritage and community expectation of a State Park and this is re-enforced by their lack of consultation in this process.
    The NSW Government website includes the following reference to Native Title
    ” Native title is the name Australian law gives to the traditional ownership of land and waters that have always belonged to Aboriginal people according to their traditions, laws and customs. The Commonwealth Native Title Act 1993 (NT Act) sets out how native title rights are to be recognised and protected.

     

    Granting tenure may affect native title interests in Crown land. Potential native title rights and interests must be identified and resolved before proceeding with any proposed tenure”

    According to my sources this has been ignored

  2. Along similar lines the following link is to an open letter to the Australian Prime Minister from 248 concerned scientist  who have looked into Australia’s unique native species and ecosystems.
    Open Letter to the Prime Minister

A time to Act

As mentioned previously you may agree with some or all of what I am saying. In the end there are enough concerns within the community for the alarm bells to be ringing and I cannot sit by and do nothing – What about you?

Confirm your support and stay in touch on the Facebook Public Group
 Save The Farm Public Group

Sign the Petition on-line or you can wait for a new Petition to be prepared following the outcome of the meeting November 3rd at 11am
On-line Petition

Support Climate change with Domestic consumption

Practical measures for a positive environmental change available to all regardless of your personal limitations

Domestic consumption

A whole of life approach to purchasing needs be encouraged and pursued to make the difference required for positive environmental change.

We need to limit our escape expenditure on overseas purchases to keep as much as we can within the Country adding strength to our Economies –  Local, State & Federal.

Extending our endeavours to include all purchases allows us to concentrate on a range that is attainable from our resources.

Having a trade off acknowledges that we will still have some lifestyle choices that are not best for the environment. The trade-off permits us to  pursue other endeavours where the savings made can offset the effect. In this way we can all develop our own environmental program that results in positive change.

My viewpoint on Purchasing with Purpose I will think before I purchase with a preference for Local, State then Federal in lieu of International suppliers. I am committed to learning and knowing the supplier of my purchases to enable an informed decision to be made

Why Local, State & Federal Economies

Not all purchases required are attainable within your local economy and our primary aim is to limit our purchases from overseas. on-line, imported even overseas travel should be reviewed to see if it can be minimised, replaced or traded.

Purchasing spent overseas is lost forever – Purchasing spent within our Country assist our economies 2 or 3 fold. Our suppliers are very conscious of the importance of spending within their “local” economy as it funds the community’s ability to purchase from them. For more information on the benefits of Local, State & Federal purchasing see our Blog  Localised Spending is your HIDDEN Pot of Gold.

I believe in being a locavore wherever possible as it encourages you to seek your product close to home. Having all purchases on the table allows you to balance off some of the  endeavours in your program.

Balancing your environmental endeavours

My sister enjoys her travel averaging an overseas trip once a year. Her commitment to assisting with environmental change is trading the carbon footprint and international spending of the travel against her commitment not to drive but walk everywhere when at home. In addition, the money she is saving on not running a vehicle at home provides additional finance to purchase more quality products from local suppliers at Farmers Markets.
Having a whole of Life approach to supporting environmental change is still achieved bringing with it better health, better food and satisfaction in the lifestyle you have chosen

Resources for Environmental Change

Initially I believe we get too caught up in the belief that a commitment to environmental change will be a financial burden – requiring a commitment of your financial resources. There are many other considerations and I would like to discuss the 3 considered by me.

  1. Financial is the first considered and sometimes an excuse for non involvement. On its own I can understand that it may be a limiting resource however you can add to your financial resource from other endeavours undertaken;
    A commitment to grow produce at home can add to your finances from savings in your weekly purchases. Your home garden can also utilise the skills of others within the family or you may organise to limit your range and trade/barter with neighbours and family for other produce. This leads to my second resource Time
  2. Time – depending on your life stage may also be limiting – working full time and raising a family can be a huge drain on your time. A commitment to Environmental change can be similar to many other aspects in your life where you draw on your family and friends. Your own family program should include all family members with all having roles to play depending on their skills. Close Family members and friends can also be involved simply by making it the subject of discussion personal or electronic.
  3. Skills – not just your own but within your family, friends – even social media friends. Considering your own time limitations you may find the resource to grow produce, research your suppliers, provide advice and opportunities within this mix. Technology is so easy that this resource should be a priority consideration. We have a site Sourced Club that enables a business search by name, tags or location. the links to suppliers includes access to all their social Media sites entered for improved transparency

In the back of my mind

I do not want my Country to continue to mine and export fossil fuel as it is harmful to the environment. They continue to export it to provide a strong economy balancing out our growing imports by Business and more recently Individuals.
We can assist – building a strong economy by reducing our total purchases from international sources beit a household purchase or international holiday to name 2 of many.

Have good connections share them here

If you have some tried and true processes that will assist preparing, reviewing or expanding a program to work towards improving our domestic consumption or other activity supporting a move to environmental change – Share it with us

A better Climate outcome REQUIRES a GREAT economy

During my lifetime we have over indulged with planet Earth’s resources using more than can be replenished.

I think most of us accept that the Climate & Environment is changing as a direct result of our activities, and the Earth’s current Climate & Environmental issues are the result as it attempts to address the imbalances – and it desperately needs our support.

Whilst I accept the criticism that we have overused the planet to date, I am equally concerned that an unstructured approach to future Policy will kill some of the needy & disadvantaged in our community.

As an example, a reasonable supply of electricity from renewable sources will cost more than we currently pay and the Industry is already receiving significant support from Government. If we adopt a Policy for more from a renewable source in the near future what is our expectation when the price rises:

  1. That the needy and disadvantaged have no power and are left to fend for themselves, or
  2. That the Government increases it support to the private sector supplying our power or increases its support of the needy and disadvantaged

The problem with all these alternatives is we MUST have a strong economy to increase the financial independence of a larger section of our community. Then, as a result of this increased income earned, the Government should have an increase in revenue to allow for additional support to the community. Australia is at a disadvantage to many other parts of the world as it has a relatively low population (and therefore lower revenue) for the land we occupy and maintain.

We can all play a part on building a strong and great economy.

Be aware of your spending decisions and purchase with purpose.

The next $100 you spend on your consumable goods could be a $30 boost to your Local, State or National economy (with $80 plus leaving the country) or it could be a $300 boost to build a stronger Local, State or National economy. – See Hidden Pot of Gold

The choice is yours

1 Rule RESPECT

Carers or Users

I have been wondering about our actions that indicate we have stopped caring and have evolved into users or what’s in it for me. This appears to be across a lot of our daily lives; our fellow humans, our animals, the land and water and its produce. The Social experts have even named it the Me Generation and we just accept it and move on.

We create rules in an effort to protect ourselves and the planet against these users. Ban plastic bags, Bullying, respect for women to name just a few. How do understand, teach and enforce all these rules or are we missing the problem and dealing with the consequences.

Is respect the missing lifestyle we have neglected

  1. If you respect others  you do not need rules for sections or disrespectful behaviour
  2. If you respect the land and its produce you do not overuse these resources
  3. If you respect our waterways and its inhabitants  you do not pollute it     

you cannot respect others or the world you live in if you do not respect yourself.

I do understand that society will have an expectation for a penalty system for those that transgress from acceptable behaviour however I do not think we fully understand or ensure the guilty party understands that the breach is a lack of Respect

Respect - A part of Culture

Respect works best when incorporated into your culture.

We do not have to look far to see this working well. Many indigenous cultures have respect a corner stone cherished and preserved in their lifestyle. In Australia, we do not have to look past our own aboriginal culture to see the importance placed on their respect of the natural world. The elders are held in the highest esteem as they are charged with the task of ensuring their culture is past down from generation to generation.

I had an interesting experience with a young couple on a train returning from a football game. The young guy was very outgoing and took the time to communicate with other passengers with the introduction How are you going Brother. At first I found it amusing and then realised He Was Right. obviously well committed to his culture

My Future

Whilst I believe I am not one to breach a lifestyle of respect, I am going to remind myself that the decisions I make are the best decisions I can make having respect for our Natural World