rd th Mar 2017 14ththJan Mar -- 320 27 Feb 2014
FIRST ON THE STREET
No No 434 591
LAKES WEEKLY BULLETIN
1 J 0 IN O 3 SI BS D E
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Green Queen. After spending the past couple of years wringing my hands over an ever increasing anxiety at the state of things around the world, I decided I had to pick something to partly soothe my sickening awareness that we have totally nailed our planet in the past 100 years or so. Having been born in Queenstown in 85, I have witnessed extremely fast development and growth in our fair mountain town. On a recent road trip northward, I encountered mass flooding on one side of the country and raging fires on the other. It is my humble perception that we as a nation will see more of these extreme weather patterns. There is a lot of apathy around, and no amount of climate change denial can take away from the fact we as a society, consume far too much with disposable plastic among other problematic items. The growing awareness around this is hard to ignore. In towns like Queenstown, across the globe, people are drowning this awareness out and who can blame them? It’s all too easy in a place like this to party the nights away, not noticing the rapid changes taking place during the days and just forgetting about it all. Queenstown has a huge, bright, shining opportunity. Not just to be known as a party capital, an adventure paradise, a millionaire’s playground – but as a worldwide leader in eco-tourism and sustainability. In a community that is so transient we could be forgiven for making the dark assumption that no one is here long enough to care about making true sustainable change. Like making Queenstown plastic bag free. But I feel it is exactly the strengths of such a diverse community that can affect incredible change. There is much happening around the world to be excited about when it comes to changing our consciousness towards modern throw-away living. And these ideas are brought to our fair shores with our visitors. Plenty of Kiwi ingenuity is contributing to a brighter future too. Wanaka has already impressed with the Plastic Bag Free Wanaka movement, can its sister town Queenstown take up a friendly challenge and do the same?
NZ Golf Open runner up and local favourite Ben Campbell drinks from NZ Golf Open winner Michael Hendry’s tournament trophy at the NZ Golf Open at Millbrook on Sunday.
(Photo: Ferg Spary)
Yes we can! Recently I came across local group Anti Plastic Population (APP). Having a drink around a table at Sherwood, discussing the upcoming Sunday Social Screening event, I felt empowered to make change. It doesn’t need to be a big drag, bemoaning the fact that it’s too late, or climate change doesn’t exist. Lively conversation about sustainability and a better future where the environment is put first is an exciting prospect. Having this project in front of me and having found positive like-minded people, puts some meaning into my week.
LUNCH DINNER TAKEAWAY
And so I, along with Fiona Davis and a growing number of locals are getting behind Boomerang Bags, a recycled bag movement which is being launched at the APP’s next event at Sherwood on Sunday, 19th of March. I invite you to combine a love of Queenstown and this country, and a social scene with great people full of passion for realizing a better future. Perhaps where there are no more plastic bags, making Queenstown truly, a Green Queen.
#sharethefoood #sharethelove
Georgia Todd - Guest editorial
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JOHN RAVENS WEATHER Last week John was 94% correct
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Morning Cloud then Fine
Becoming Fine. Light Winds
Mainly Fine. Light Winds
Fine but Cloud Increasing
Cloudy with Light Winds
Partly Cloudy. Not much Wind
Partly Cloudy. Little Wind