Face to Face Thoughtstarter:  New Systems for Business, Government and Community

This discussion document is loaded with opinion, conjecture, excellent research references and optimism about the opportunity for bright ideas and opportunities.

Teaching Ducks to Quack: 

A Presentation to The Centre for Sustainability Leadership

"The sustainability debate is led by people and organisations that benefit from the status quo. Instead of focusing on behavioural change by the 'great unwashed', it is time that policy makers and sustainability leaders activated some critical self-reflection."  Tony Cutcliffe

Endless Possibilities:  A Submission to the Government 2.0 Taskforce

The Government 2.0 Taskforce has been provided with a  monumentally powerful opportunity to radically improve the confidence and capacity with which Australians help to shape the nation's response to volatile global pressures.  

 

Ever since a former Astronomer Royal announced that 'space travel is impossible' we have found ways to postpone the future.  But there are much better things to do with carbon than setting it alight.  This terrific book explores some of the most exciting alternatives - for a future replete with energy, sustainability and choice. 

-Robyn Williams, host of The Science Show, ABC Radio

Chapter 21: Things aren’t always what they seem: jumping hurdles to a post-carbon lifestyle. - Tony Cutcliffe

In his exploration of how to improve the world, Tony Cutcliffe considers the real motivations of both King Canute and the original Luddites. He considers the hurdles that we face, such as vested interests and political cycles, and bemoans the lack of action to date – ‘we have been like pigs in the afternoon sun: fat, dumb and happy’. However, the chapter sees this as an opportunity for Australia to step up and to persuade communities that ‘low carbon does not have to mean low amenity’.

 30 Years In the Making:  A Submission to the 2009 Victorian Bushfire Royal Commission

 “We focus on the system dynamics involved in forest maintenance and conservation, episodic bushfire and the emergency firefighting response. Our paper proposes the construction of a new system design into which these component risks and responses can be reassembled to create a safer, more effective and efficient public forest estate.

This report has endeavoured to identify those values and aspirations that unite rather than divide the principal stakeholders. In so doing, the report is focused on proposing carefully considered solutions in response to the challenges it describes in some detail.