At a big-picture level, this quote from Bjarke Ingels sums up society’s responsibility to each other and the planet

‘Sustainability can't be like some sort of a moral sacrifice or political dilemma or a philanthropical cause. It has to be a design challenge’.

 

Wool is a planet-friendly fibre for many reasons. Sheep are a natural source of our carbon cycle, consuming the organic carbon stored in plants and converting it into wool. Around 50% of the weight of wool, is made from pure organic carbon. By producing wool, we as a community are promoting products with long lifespans, meaning they are used or worn longer than other fibre products such as cotton. This will encourage more people to avoid fast fashion and make many aware of the impacts of it. Another benefit of producing wool fibres, is its minimal water and energy consumption, as it is the most recycled fibre and biodegrades easily. Therefore, wool is undoubtedly a sustainable fibre, and by producing more of it in sustainable measures, we as a community are promoting healthy communities. Actions such as saving trees and the elimination of harmful gases into the atmosphere, to promote creating clean air, clean water, shelter for food and fibre production and protecting native animals and cultural values, are greatly encouraged. 

 

Food and Fashion. The perfect pair that we all can’t think of living without. But the effects of producing mass productions of food and fashion, combined with the massive amount of food and clothes going to landfill, are really starting to take its toll on our planet.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• The Australian government estimates the costs of food waste in Australia each year is $20 billion. That's seven zeroes!!

• The Australian Bureau of Statistics show that Australians are sending approximately 23kg of clothing and textiles to landfills.

• That's a massive 85% of all clothing production! Statistics also show that 75% of Australians throw out clothing every year.
  As a healthy community, we have a role to minimise fast fashion by:

• reusing our clothes 

• purchasing second-hand clothes from stores such as Vinnies, where eventually the money is sent off to the disadvantaged
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   

   

• ​Being aware of food waste is also a great way to minimise food waste, so next time you throw out the crusts or wipe the veggies into the garbage, think about the food waste you are contributing to. 

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Here's an interesting animation by Ted-Ed that explains the life cycle  of a T-shirt to put this information into perspective. 

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While the production of wool certainly has its benefits in terms of sustainability, we as a community need to address the waste problems both directly and indirectly associated with the sheep industry, such as fast fashion,  in order to maintain a healthy community :)

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And it's not the clothing we wear that impacts the environment which eventually comes back to us (karma). But it's the food that we also put in our bodies that determines our day to day life also.

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Good health is about understanding the balance between what we put into our bodies and what we do with them; it’s about how we deal with the stresses of everyday life; it’s about how we manage our emotions and interact with others.

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All aspects of our health are impacted upon by the food we eat, the exercise we undertake and the ways we take care of our mental health. Studies have proven the links between a healthy diet, and efficient and effective brain, physical and psychological functioning.

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So here are some ways that we would promote a sustainable and healthy diet: 

- grow your own vegetables like what our Year 10 Agriculture Classes are doing 

- try composting !!

- avoid unnecessary packaging 

- Drink tap water 

- and finally, choose locally sourced goods. 

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