As dawn broke on a new year, the reality of climate change sunk in for many Australians. We’re only halfway through a summer of ongoing crippling drought, choking air quality and stifling heat extremes, the bushfire crisis destroyed lives and decimated regional communities (both human and wildlife). The environmental, economic and mental health impacts will take many years to address.

Savage Garden, Plant Life and D.I.G aren’t just musical acts: they’re also the names given to some of the edible gardens in the eastern suburbs as part of an urban farming movement in our backyards and on our balconies.

Albert Einstein said, “in the midst of every crisis, lies great opportunity.”

As carbon concentrations increase, so does the rate of climate change. Call it a crisis or emergency, it’s hard to stay positive while glaciers disappear, fires rage, and drought extends across our land.

Keen to try surfing but don’t own a board? Need to drill a hole in a wall or trim a hedge but don’t own the necessary power tools?

Imagine being able to borrow these items for tasks you only do now and then, rather than splash some cash to get them. Community-run tool and other sharing ‘libraries’ help save you money, and kick goals for the planet.

There’s plenty of hype about electric vehicles (EVs); understandably, since we’re on the brink of a motoring transformation in Australia with more models hitting our streets and EVs gain popularity.

Did you know over 24,000 of your neighbours in the Eastern Suburbs are recycling their food scraps at home?

These local everyday heroes are kicking some serious goals in the ‘war on waste’. They’ve kept well over 3 million kilograms of food waste out of the tip (think 18 million bananas), plus almost 6 kilotons of carbon emissions out of the atmosphere. Nice one!

So why is everyone composting?

Let’s face it ­– we are a plug-in society. Plug in your laptop to connect to the world. Plug in earphones to escape it. Plug in to communicate, entertain and cook. So why not plug in to drive too?

Years ago, the superb fairy wren was a common sight in our gardens. Now, only if we’re lucky, can you catch a glimpse of these little blue beauties in the shrubs along our coast. Sadly, this is the case for many native small birds.

Christmas is just around the corner, a time for cheer and gift giving.

Unfortunately, between the wrapping and the packaging, more often than not this gift giving can leave us with mountains of waste. And that's rubbish (literally!). 

Our country is in the midst of a terrible drought. Sydney’s dams and catchments, responsible for bringing water to our taps, are currently at 69 per cent capacity. Farmers’ hardships are giving rise to city fundraisers and stirring up a collective concern for our people on the land.