Grey Lynn 2030 Transition Community

Have you heard about the Age of Stupid?

The Age of Stupid is the new epic from McLibel director Franny Armstrong. Pete Postlethwaite stars as a man living alone in the devastated world of 2055, looking at old footage from 2008 and asking: why didn’t we stop climate change when we had the chance?

Grey Lynn 2030 is thrilled to be showing the Age of Stupid on its first day in Auckland

“The Age of Stupid”

Wednesday 19th August

Bridgeway Theatre

122 Queen St, Northcote Point

8.00 doors open, 8.30 film begins

Come along early for a drink and meet your mates. We have been donated some green hampers from Easy Green Living and there are some spot prizes to be won before the film

Tickets are $20 to raise money for Grey Lynn 2030

Tickets can be purchased from:

The Wine Vault
453 Richmond Rd, Grey Lynn

There are no Door Sales on the night so please call in and see Jayson at The Wine Vault or buy your tickets on line.

Here’s the preview:

And here are some reviews:

“An emergency wake-up call to do everything possible to avert
impending catastrophe.” – New York Times

“Think “An Inconvenient Truth” but with a personality” – LA Times

“A Deeply Inconvenient Kick Up the Backside… you won’t see a more
important film this year” – News of the World ****

“Bold, supremely provocative, and hugely important….
a cry from the heart as much as a roar for necessary change.” – The Telegraph ****

“The most imaginative and dramatic assault on the institutional
complacency shrouding the issue” – The Times ****

“Captivating and constantly surprising… the first successful dramatisation
of climate change to reach the big screen” – The Guardian

“Lectures us sternly and pitilessly – but also intelligently
and provokingly” – Financial Times ****

“Enough attitude to power a large city… slaps you around
the face then punches you in the stomach” – The Sun ****

“I defy anyone to come out and not feel like they’ve got
to make a difference.” – Caroline Lucas, Leader of the UK Green Party

“Every single person in the country should be forcibly
made to watch this film”. – Ken Livingstone, former Mayor of London

“It is not a film to make you happy. It’s a film to make you sit back and think
‘What is my role on this planet?’” – Ashok Sinha, Director of Stop Climate Chaos coalition

“I hate this film. I felt as if I was watching all my own excuses for not doing
anything about climate change being stripped away from me.
Can I just pretend I never saw it?”- William Nicholson, Writer of Gladiator

“I was nodding to myself all the way through, thinking ‘How can I reduce my flights?,
‘Can I install a wind turbine at home?’. It is definitely going to change my life.
It was so powerful and so moving I wanted it to go on for another hour.”
- Gillian Anderson, actress

“The most powerful piece of cultural discourse on climate change
ever produced.” – Mark Lynas, author of “Six Degrees: Our Future on a Hotter Planet”

“Jaw-droppingly impressive as to how such a raft of fantastic ideas were so superbly executed. From the solar-powered tent to the camera phone pictures of the audiences, from the campaign packs to The Met Office guy rubber-stamping the science, from the ultra-low transport footprint to the Big If (not forgetting Pete’s OBE etc…) and topping it all with the Maldives’ challenge to us all. What a night. Thank you all for showing me a way through the rest of my life.”
“I feel I have shared in the making of history this evening – such a privilege”

“Nothing else has ever made the issue clearer, the solutions more obvious, and the urgency more acute. Nothing else has ever shouted more loudly. I challenge anyone to watch this film and not feel compelled to take action.”
“What a triumph. Impressed beyond belief.”

“The audience were absolutely riveted by the film. At the end, the cutover to Leicester Square was so slick and the synchronisation perfect, it was like being transported to the cinema tent and we felt a real sense of being part of that audience — to the extent that there was clapping at the right moments and barracking (‘rubbish’) at some of the stuff Ed Miliband spouted. The sense of engagement with the Premiere was palpable — I have never experienced anything quite so intense in an audience that size. And moments like Pete saying that he would hand back his OBE were electric!”
“I work for a large corporate so I went back into the workplace on Monday filled with passion to make a difference and have set up a host of meetings to do just that.”

“Brilliant night in Cambridge – sold out – people turned away – fantastic atmosphere – congratulations to all of you!”

“The film was amazing. Saw it at The Light (Leeds) which was sold-out. I went with a friend who does lots of flying (holidays) and she came away very thoughtful indeed. The film had a huge impact on her and I’ll be very surprised if she doesn’t change her lifestyle. Pete P was such a wonderful person for the role, though clearly he wasn’t acting in this case.”

“The Age of Stupid has brought together local environmental groups from a wide area some of whom didn’t know the others existed, representatives from different groups attending meetings of other groups to listen and share ideas, a new network of like minded friends who are now discussing the possibility of an autumn gathering of all local groups in one place for tea/coffee and a chin wag! Imagine then the friendships that will forge every evening when these groups meet at the showings to talk to filmgoers; the optimism here in Inverness is exciting and electric.”

“The world seems a little different today.”

“I have seen countless climate change, activist films etc and none has moved me as much as yours. I had to try and be discreet when I could no longer hold back the tears, as I was without tissues and didn’t want to ask my friends for any!! And then just as I had found my composure, Pete got up on stage and gave such a rallying, passionate plea, that I began all over again!”

“Your film changed my life completely, it’s hard and scary but I’ve been converted to full on activist status!”

“Mum brought me tea this morning [the day after the premiere] and burst into tears on my bed. She had been up since 5am thinking about the film, and how we live, and getting upset. I have been banging on about this for years (quite ineffectively I realise), but the film acted to distill, and make stark, the totally misplaced and confused framework through which we value things. It really hit the soul of this household.”

Dear Grey Lynn 2030

Nexus Students Sustainability Group invites you to a presentation by and discussion with Dr Robert Howell on Building a Sustainable Economy.

With the current global economic crisis, do we still have the means to be sustainable?

What is a sustainable economy and how do we build one?

Robert is one of five Quaker authors who wrote the book “Right Relationship: Building a Whole Earth Economy”. He will introduce the book and describe and discuss the themes, and the wider context of these with a particular reference to the ethical principles and their implications for economics and human life on earth.

The book deals with the inadequacies of the current economic system, and what is needed to bring it into a right relationship with humans and the earth. The book poses five key questions.

• What is an economy for?
• How does it work?
• How big is too big?
• What is fair?
• How should it be governed?

Robert suggests that the predominant international economic system has no means of describing what the economy is for and where it is today. It is unable to put any boundaries on consumption and waste. It has no means to even think about fairly distributing both benefits and burdens to present and future generations of people and other species. It lacks a system of governance that protects life’s commonwealth.

Creating the global governance will require significant institutional reform. The overall challenge is to establish a global economic system that is grounded in science, operates in accord with the way the earth works, and is grounded in an ethic that does not value the human-Earth relationship simply for human utility. Robert will also relate the book to New Zealand through the recent report by Sustainable Aotearoa New Zealand.

The forum will be 2 hours long where the second hour is provided for audience discussion with Robert on the topic.

When: Wednesday August 5th [6pm - 8pm]

Where: University of Auckland, Engineering Building, Room 3.402

Cost: The Nexus Forum is free for all to attend but we are asking for a gold-coin koha, this will help us continue to bring events like this to the student community and the general public.

If you wisth to attend please RSVP to nexus.sustainability@gmail.com

Kind Regards

Nexus Team

And if you can’t make it, listen to Dr Robert Howell on GreenplantFM

.–
NEXUS-Reflecting on the state of the world and empowering tomorrow’s leaders

Unprecedented times call for informed leadership. Nexus is a student sustainability group based at the University of Auckland, growing the next generation of change-makers. We provide a platform for the student community to discuss and take action on the issues that matter, and influence the world around them. Crossing a wide range of economic, environmental, social, and cultural issues; we organise public forums and give access to expert knowledge and experience. We support development of young people through partnership with professional networks and institutions.

Grey Lynn Farmers Market

With less than 5 weeks to go until the opening of Grey Lynn Farmers’ Market, it’s time to sign up for membership and receive 10% off purchases and go into the member prize draw.Grey Lynn Farmers’ Market is offering membership at the discounted rate of only $20 until 31st August.

Prizes drawn every hour for members on opening day -Sunday 6th September, include:

- Spade & fork set from Mitre 10 Ponsonby

- Breakfast for two at Ripe Delicatessen

- 2 x $25 voucher from Il Buco, Ponsonby

- Jacqui Brown’s delicious homemade vegan chocolate cake

- Lunch with Auckland MP Nikki Kaye at a local cafe

- Subscription to NZ Gardener Magazine

- 2 bottles of wine from Fenton Estate, Waiheke Island

- Naturopathic /nutritional consultation at the Herbal Health Centre

- An Organic Cotton Hei Tiki Bodysuit & Beanie from Nature Baby- More prizes to be announced on the day…

DIY Bathtub Worm Farm
How to make your own worm farm from re-use and free materials
Sat 15 August 9am – 1pm $20
Ron Sperber, Director Earthwhile Ltd, Permaculture & Sustainability Education

Old bathtubs make great worm farms and can be had for peanuts. Tree branches (that would otherwise be firewood) for a sturdy base, a lid and we’re away. Permaculturist and worm farm expert Ron Sperber, of Earthwhile Ltd, will lead this hands-on workshop. You will gain the experience of building a wormfarm with available materials without blowing the budget. Bring comfy clothes to work in, gloves, gumboots and raincoat (if it’s a wet day). Limited numbers so be sure to book early.

Fruit Tree Pruning
Sat 22 August 10.30 – 12.30pm $10
Derek Craig, Director Oak & Thistle Ltd

Winter is a key time for fruit tree pruning. Learn how to prune for maximum fruit production and according to fruit type. Different fruit trees have different pruning requirements and may blossom and fruit on this years or last years growth. Some pear and apple cultivars, for example, are ‘tip bearing’ which can prevent their use in espaliers. There’s plenty to learn here for the keen edible gardener.

Cooking and Sampling
Quick low cost cooking from the garden
Tues 25 August 6.30 – 8.30pm $10 + $6 food
Alice Leonard, Director Angel Food

Eating further down the food chain is good for your health, your wallet and the environment – learn how to create healthy and delicious meals based on beans, whole grains and fresh seasonal produce. The emphasis is on economical family-friendly meals which don’t take all night to prepare!

EDIBLE GARDEN CULTURE Part 6.
Plant Health
Sat 29 August 8.30am-10.30am 11am-1pm (repeat) $20
Richard Main, co-founder Unitec Hort Sanctuary, environmental educator

An 8-part practical series designed to get participants up-skilled in home fruit and vege production. This module covers: Plant Health – Holistic approach to soil and plant health; Planning and preparation for the Spring garden; making your own liquid fertiliser; seed sowing/propagation.

Other events:

Biodynamic Organic Gardening Group

Introduction to the Biodynamic Calender
Sat 1 August 10.30 – 12.30pm
Members of the BOGG $5 new annual membership
Venue: Sustainable Living Centre, 4 Olympic Place, New Lynn

Come and join in and learn how to use the new calendar. These will be available for sale on the day for $20. We will also spend some time planning for spring planting.

Warming Herbs & Spices
Sat 8 August 10.30-12.30pm $5 new annual membership + koha
Bashi Singh – Clinical Neuro Muscular Therapist (Dip. NMT, Dip, Ther Mas)
Venue: Sustainable Living Centre, 4 Olympic Place, New Lynn

Bashi is a Medical Herbalist, she will tell us how to eat for maximum health benefits during the winter months, including Q&A’s. We will also make a winter Chai Tea decoction for all to try!! She has herb courses The Properties Of Herbs , Herbal Manufacturing and Ointments , Balms and More through Northtec running in the next semester which I recommend. She will also be running Aromotherapy Classes in the future. She has a great way with people and knows a lot about herbs!. She also talks to other groups including the Herb Society. She is a great advocate for container growing, as this is the only option really where she lives in the suburbs.

PERMACULTURE WORKSHOPS
Inquiries, phone Finn on 021 562 995 or email aucklandmpdc@gmail.com

Saturday, August 1st
Module 15. Appropriate Technology

Guest tutor – Rilke de Vos – Energy Research Engineer, National Institute of Water and Atmosphere (NIWA)

Introduction to energy, resources and technology; Ecological and climate appropriate design and application; Examples of appropriate technologies – high tech and low tech solutions; Life-cycle analysis – embodied and on going energy use; Sources of (renewable) energy; Energy production – Solar, wind, geothermal, micro hydro; Energy storage; Systems Maintenance; Site specific and community based systems.

Saturday, August 22nd
Module 16. Retrofitting Your House
Guest Tutor – Jerome Partington – Sustainability Manager, Jasmax
Introduction to residential / suburban retrofit and redesign; Working with existing structures; Improving energy efficiency; Creating healthy living environments; Utilising appropriate technologies; household waste and water management retrofits.

As always, please email us to register for either of these modules and we will provide you with more detailed information about the day closer to the module delivery date.

James Samuel is coming to speak at our next Grey Lynn 2030 monthly meeting.

James brought the Transition Town concept to New Zealand. We are very pleased that James will be coming over from Waiheke to speak to us. The Transition Town movement is too smart and modern to have a “leader” but to me James is “the man”.

James writes a great blog, started and maintains www.TransitionTown.org.nz

He is also very involved with www.oooby.com – Out of Our Own Backyards.

James is very involved in the energetic and inspiring Waiheke Transition Town group who have amongst their many projects the Fabulous Fruit Tree Initiative and a Community Supported Agriculture project.

James is speaking to Grey Lynn 2030 about the Transition Town movement and will be inspiring us with successful New Zealand Transition initiatives. If you are new to ideas or been around the Transition movement for a while you are sure to learn from him.

Monday 10th August

7.30

Grey Lynn Community Centre

Gag Sells Public Assets On Trademe – Monday, 27 July 2009, 8:59 amThe Grassroots Action Group is selling photographs of public assets currently owned by the 5 Auckland councils on the internet trading web site www.trademe.co.nz this week.
The stunt is intended to raise awareness of the impact that privatisation of public assets would have on the lives of every Aucklander as the country awaits the outcome from the select committee on Auckland Governance.

Local voice at heart of region’s concerns – New Zealand Herald – 27th Jul 2009
LOCAL BOARDS There is nothing more basic to the success or failure of the Super City than local boards.

Super city water needs accountability – Sunday, 26 July 2009The Government must give urgent consideration to protecting Auckland ratepayers from the super city’s new monopoly water company, says Labour’s Auckland Issues spokesperson Phil Twyford.

Matt McCarten: Super Mayor poll show Brown ahead – 4:00AM Sunday Jul 26, 2009

Up to now there’s been a seemingly certain inevitability that the new Mayor of the Supercity would be John Banks. But this week a polling result from UMR shattered that illusion.

Councils should be able to compete for ratepayers, says Sir Roger – 4:00AM Saturday Jul 25, 2009

Sir Roger Douglas wants ratepayers to be able to shop around for the best local council, saying that being able to defect to one nearby even if they do not live there will invoke the spirit of competition.

Community councils should run Super City, MPs told – New Zealand Herald – 24th Jul 2009
Auckland should be largely run by community councils with powers to set rates and compete for ratepayers and each others businesses, Act MP Sir Roger Douglas said today.

Proposal calls for Waikato region to become super city – TVNZ – 24th Jul 2009
A proposal calling for the Waikato region to also become a super city has been put before a select committee…

Waikato super-city? – Waikato Times – 24th Jul 2009
Auckland’s “super city” plan should be extended to the Waikato with one council formed in time for next year’s local body elections in October, according to a high-powered Waikato lobby group.

Other want to follow Auckland super city model – TVNZ – 25th Jul 2009
Other North Island towns and cities want to follow the Auckland supercity proposal and have their local government structures streamlined

Plea to give local boards real clout – New Zealand Herald – 24th Jul 2009
The combined wisdom of New Zealand’s community boards and Auckland’s legal fraternity say local boards in the Super City must have powers and functions set in law to succeed.

Plea for libraries, galleries – 5:00AM Friday Jul 24, 2009

The Government needs to ensure local government continues to provide free public access to community facilities, the New Zealand Society of Authors says.

Southerners take pride in self-governance – 4:00AM Friday Jul 24, 2009

Wanaka has more than skiing, boating and the Warbirds airshow going for it. It has a model of local democracy that puts Auckland to shame.

Letter to Manukau – Issue 78 – Friday, 24 July 2009

The Select Committee into Auckland governance sat in our city last week and we had an opportunity to make a submission on behalf of our council and community.

Speech to St Heliers Probus Club – Rodney Hide 24 July, 2009
… The question that I have been focused on since I took up my role as Minister of Local Government, and I have to say long before that, is how do we make Auckland an even better city.

Council Committee Chairman seeks further discussions over Watercare confidentiality issue – 23 July 2009
Councillor Grant Gillon, Chair of the North Shore City Council Strategy and Finance Committee, has suggested a meeting with Watercare Chairman Graeme Hawkins to discuss ways to address the need for cooperation for the Watercare integration project whilst recognising the respective responsibilities of each organisation.

Banks behind in Auckland mayor poll – Otago Daily Times – 23rd Jul 2009
Manukau Mayor Len Brown leads Auckland City Mayor John Banks in the race to be the proposed Super City’s first mayor, according to a new poll.

Manukau mayor beating John Banks in super city poll – TVNZ – 23rd Jul 2009
Auckland Mayor John Banks is beingpipped by his Manukau counterpart in the battle to be super city mayor

Brown pips Banks in preferred mayor poll – New Zealand Herald – 23rd Jul 2009
Manukau Mayor Len Brown has leapfrogged Auckland City Mayor John Banks in a head-to-head poll for the first mayor of the Super City.

John Banks: It still holds true – Auckland’s future calls for bold ideas – Thursday Jul 23, 2009

On June 2, 1964, the New Zealand Herald marked Auckland’s population reaching half a million with the headline – “The future calls for bold ideas”.

Supercity senior fears – Manukau Courier Last updated 05:00 23/07/2009
Older ratepayers of Counties Manukau have invested significantly in the region and Age Concern doesn’t want to see that go to waste under the Auckland supercity.

Better Democracy NZ: Sir Roger Douglas on Supercity – Monday, 27 July 2009
- The Royal Commission on Auckland Governance, however, focussed only on structure. That is why the mayors and councillors have spent the whole duration of .