Every cloud has a silver lining – and for Canberrans stuck at home during lockdown, that’s more time for DIY projects. This Wednesday evening, SEE-Change, a grassroots organisation, will host a free and fun Zoom discussion for people to talk about how they are using lockdown to explore and enjoy sustainable habits.
“At SEE-Change, our mission is to help Canberrans be more sustainable in any way that we can, and do it together as a community,” said executive officer Brook Clinton. “I think there are plenty of people around Canberra who have thought: ‘Well, I don’t have to do my usual commute. Maybe I’ve got more time to spend in the garden or the kitchen, and do all those things that are enjoyable and good for the environment as well.’
The evening will be a way to celebrate small wins during this tough time, Dr Clinton said, a way to lift people’s spirits and to share ideas. Participants will be split into small groups, so they can connect with like-minded Canberrans.
“It’ll be like speed dating; it’ll be luck of the draw whether you meet someone who’s been working on a crafting project or fixing up their chicken coop. If you grow your own vegetables, maybe you want to share that. It should be a really nice melding of minds as people get excited about different hobbies and things they’ve been getting up to.”
Everybody has a list of things they’ve meant to get around to doing on a rainy day, Dr Clinton said: riding their old bike, baking bread, planting vegetables, repairing clothes, or a bit of TLC around the house. “If you’re stuck in your suburban block or your apartment, take the time to look around and think: how can I improve this space?”
In her case, she cleaned out her shed the first weekend of lockdown. “It was stinky, messy and horrible – but I managed to bring some order to it! Those kinds of things might not be the most pleasant job, but they feel so good when you manage to get them done.”
One problem with lockdown is that people are consuming more electricity at home. Wednesday’s event, Dr Clinton said, might give them a little nudge about getting solar panels, switching their heating service for something more efficient, upgrading appliances, or sealing up gaps in the house.
“Energy efficiency is definitely a conversation that we like people to have at SEE-Change, and we’re very happy to help out with resources in that area.”
In early spring, SEE-Change will launch Community Toolbox Canberra, the ACT’s first tool and equipment library. It was meant to open in early September, but COVID has delayed the opening. Members will be able to borrow tools from kitchen equipment to pet carriers and sewing mannequins they might only need once a year.
SEE-Change’s Tuggeranong group runs a repair café every month, where people can bring in broken items and learn repair skills. They will soon start one in Belconnen.
“So if anyone has been dusting off some old skills and practicing various repair skills, we would love to hear from you if you want to share those skills with the community,” Dr Clinton said.
There’s no obligation for people to stay the whole hour; SEE-Change encourage people to pop into the event, even if only for 15 minutes.
SEE-Change aims to reduce Canberra’s ecological footprint, improve the resilience of the ecosystem, and enhance the wellbeing of all individuals.
Sustainable Silver Linings will begin at 6pm on Wednesday 25 August.
Get all the latest Canberra news, sport, entertainment, lifestyle, competitions and more delivered straight to your inbox with the Canberra Daily Daily Newsletter. Sign up here.
For more news:
UPDATED: List of ACT COVID exposure sites
Farmers markets to reopen as ‘shop and go’ only this weekend
