EarthSong eNotes April

EarthSong’s Annual Symposium is just a few weeks away.

Come and join us for this event which will invite us into the wonders of the diversity of our country.

Friday 14th May (7.30-9.30 p.m.) – Saturday 15th May (10 a.m. – 3 p.m.)

Treacy Centre, 126 The Avenue, Parkville

Karen Alexander, Project Leader of Victoria Naturally Alliance, with extensive experience working with environmental NGOs including ACF Campaigns Director and President of Bush Heritage Australia, will be our keynote speaker.

Download a registration form (located on the left column of the web page) or contact us: info@earthsong.org.au

All sessions:  $45     Friday evening only:  $15     Saturday only:  $30

Towards Earth Literacy:

Requiem for A Species: Why we Resist the Truth about Climate Change.

Clive Hamilton’s insight into the nature of our society and its bearing on our response to global warming is a challenging but essential read for any of us wanting to act for a safer future for Earth in her myriad expressions. He suggests that for those of us in affluent nations, the test of our capacity to adapt to hardships could be the stimulus for a new orientation to life with more attention to higher goals. (p.217)  His concluding chapter suggests a three stage pathway:  Despair, Accept, Act.  These are the three stages we must pass through.  Despair is a natural human response to the new reality we face and to resist it is to deny the truth…. Emerging from despair means accepting the situation and resuming our equanimity; but if we go no further we risk becoming mired in passivity and fatalism.  Only by acting, and acting ethically, can we redeem our humanity. (p.226)  (Allen & Unwin, Crows Nest, 2010)

The Autumn edition of the EarthSong Journal has recently been published.

Perspectives on climate change and related behaviour change are featured.

Feature articles and editorial from previously published issues can be found in the publications section of the website.

If you are interested in becoming a subscriber please download a subscription form on the left column of this webpage.

We seek to learn new ways:

EarthSong Residential Program for Educators:  A New Heart and a New Mind.

26th-28th May.  Edmund Rice Centre,  Amberley, Lower Plenty.

For more details contact us: info@earthsong.org.au. Registrations close 30th April.

Jan Novotka will visit Australia this year and will be in Melbourne in May.

Since the early 1990’s Jan has been composing songs that flow effortlessly through her. She sings of the sacredness and oneness of all, the unfolding Universe, care for the Earth, the awakening of a new and vast dimension of human consciousness, and the Still, Silent Presence within. Her music touches people of all faiths, cultures, and backgrounds. She also works as a retreat director and spiritual director.

A number of workshops have been arranged at the Treacy Centre.

All are welcome to attend these events.

• Tuesday 11th May, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.workshop (continued Wednesday 12th May, 9 a.m. – lunch)

• Thursday 13th may, 6.30 – 9 p.m. Edmund Rice Festival at the Treacy Centre

• Friday 14th may, 10.30 a.m. – lunch “Lunch with Jan Novotka”

As more details about these events become available they will be posted on the EarthSong website.

We are being called into a new place:

Earth Day 2010 -22^nd April

Join Earth Day’s 40^th Anniversary celebrations!

Forty years after the first Earth Day, the world is in greater peril than ever. While climate change is the greatest challenge of our time, it also presents the greatest opportunity – an unprecedented opportunity to build a healthy, prosperous, clean energy economy now and for the future.

Earth Day 2010 can be a turning point to advance climate policy, energy efficiency, renewable energy and green jobs. Earth Day Network is galvanizing millions who make personal commitments to sustainability. Earth Day 2010 is a pivotal opportunity for individuals, corporations and governments to join together and create a global green economy. Join the more than one billion people in 190 countries that are taking action for Earth Day.

For more information see: http://www.earthday.org/earthday2010

Fair Trade Fortnight 2010, 1^st – 16^th May

World Fair Trade Day 8^th May

Fair Trade Fortnight is Australia and New Zealand’s biggest annual celebration of all things fair trade!

With events, activities and promotions happening across each country, the Fortnight gives each of us the opportunity to celebrate and recognise the life-changing difference fair trade makes for millions of developing country farmers, their families and communities.

As part of Fair Trade Fortnight 2010, Aussies are being urged to make The Big Swap!
Making the swap to Fair Trade is simple but it can help make a big difference for developing country farmers by giving them access to fair prices and money to invest in everyday things for their communities such as education and healthcare.

So this Fair Trade Fortnight, whether it’s your daily caffeine fix, afternoon cuppa, chocolate treat or even when buying a gift – make the swap to Fair Trade and you can help create a better and brighter future farmers and their families around the globe.