Sustainability photo diary

A few photos from the last six months which document my responses to environmental situations in the city.

Photo 1: Plastic collected in Sydney Harbour on a two hour kayak from Rose Bay to Nielsen Park and back. It had just been raining and this must have come from stormwater run off. Will be keen to read up on how councils are tackling stormwater redesigns as part of green infrastructure.

Photo 2: Grass, heat, and lack of biodiversity. The manicured grasslands in our parks are not only water intensive in their upkeep, but do little to support biodiversity. The Domain has vast expanses of grass intended for recreation, but little in the way of diversity of species to support native wildlife and insects. Prince Alfred Park’s native meadow is interesting to look at in comparison.

Photo 3: UNSW has planted some native, edible foods on campus. This is on the ramp leading down from the Library to the lower levels of campus.

Photo 4: In Melbourne, the Collingwood Farm has brought agriculture almost into the centre of the city. Here, a family has bought herbs and vegetables to take home to plant in their own suburban farm.

Photo 5: In Circular Quay there is little in the way of respite from heat on a warm summer’s day. This very well visited area is not set up for resilience in the face of a warming planet.