Australian National Botanic Gardens
Canberra
Canberra
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Australian National Botanic Gardens Canberra |
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The reality of climate change has finally hit home. Major scientific reports of the past year paint a disturbing picture: a future marked by increasing temperatures, rising sea levels and storms of increasing frequency and intensity. Already in Canberra, we have tasted extreme and devastating weather conditions of the sort expected to become more frequent. Without rapid action to reverse greenhouse gas emissions, we face social, economic and ecological catastrophe. The gravity of the situation can be overwhelming – it is easy to slip into denial or despair and with it, inaction and an exacerbation of the problem. This experiential workshop will offer an opportunity to express and process our responses and to explore what actions can be taken in our homes and community. The natural environs of the Botanic Gardens provide the perfect setting for this work, and an opportunity to connect with and draw strength from nature. Participants can expect to be re-energised and to gain a sense of empowerment, with greater clarity about what they can do to help reduce the extent of climate change.
This will be a half day workshop for members of the community. It will run from 11 am to 4.30 pm and will include a lunch break. The cost is $55. Participants are invited to bring their own lunch, or to order lunch from Hudson’s Café.
Anyone interested to attend but wanting to know more about what the workshop involves is welcome to contact Marie Jamieson for more information. Phone 02-6281 7010 or email mjamieson@netspeed.com.au
Workshop bookings need to be made with the Gardens’ Visitors Centre - 0 2 6250 9450Marie Jamieson is an experienced facilitator and social worker who has trained extensively with Joanna Macy, whose ‘despair and empowerment’ work inspires this workshop. Her special interest is the interrelationship between the social and ecological; she is currently researching aspects of the process of change towards sustainable futures.
Meg Switzer has an environmental science background and worked as a senior executive in natural and cultural resource conservation and management for over 20 years. She has worked closely with Indigenous peoples facilitating community business development. Meg has also trained in the work of Joanna Macy.