Columns » Environment

All the medicine we need is in nature

All the medicine we need is in nature

August 18th, 2026 - Jacqui van Heerden

Nature is always trying to remedy. In our neighbourhoods you will see pioneer plants relentlessly breaking their way through cracks in cement and pathways to remind us of the environment we should be living in. 

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Love is the most ancient practice of land care

July 14th, 2026 - Jacqui van Heerden

For First Nations people it’s embedded in the way they relate to land, the sea, birds, animals, stones, rivers, etc. Connection, listening to and caring for are part of the practice.

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Preparing for the effects of multiple shocks – a fuel shortage, El Nino, flood and fire

June 17th, 2026 - Jacqui van Heerden

Community groups are the cornerstone of local resilience.

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Cooling our neighbourhoods

May 20th, 2026 - Jacqui van Heerden

Changes in land cover due to increased urbanisation can affect the urban environment and climate substantially.

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Are Indigenous decision-making processes required for new technological advances?

April 15th, 2026 - Jacqui van Heerden

Indigenous decision-making processes have historically demonstrated high effectiveness through community-based, consensus-driven, and long-term sustainable approaches that have enabled resilience over thousands of years.

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The good news …

February 17th, 2026 - Jacqui van Heerden

With powerful nations rolling back climate protections, temperatures soaring and extreme weather conditions increasing, eco-anxiety is on the increase.

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Real versus fake Christmas tree. Which one is better for the environment?

December 17th, 2025 - Jacqui van Heerden

If you celebrate Christmas, Christmas trees are an important symbolic feature of this celebration. Traditionally they offered hope during the long harsh winter months and became a family ritual of decorating and spending time together.

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Harvesting rainwater in the city

November 18th, 2025 - Jacqui van Heerden

In Melbourne our rainy season is usually in spring, a perfect time to build up the ground water for summer so that plants can be hydrated during the warmer months.

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Reconnect with nature by moon planting

October 14th, 2025 - Jacqui van Heerden

Moon planting offers a way to reconnect with nature and her rhythms while reaping benefits for your garden such as greater harvest yields, effective pest management, improved soil health and enhanced germination and growth potential.

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The rise of second-hand shopping

September 16th, 2025 - Jacqui van Heerden

In 2025, one of the most prominent global trends in sustainability is the significant increase in second-hand purchasing and the reuse of products and materials.

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The Kensington Farm Collective

June 14th, 2023 - Jacqui van Heerden
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Investing in local waste programs

February 15th, 2023 - Jacqui van Heerden
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