Peak Everything – Mike Joy in Eastbourne

by Ann Packer

Ecologist Mike Joy, an outspoken advocate for environmental protection in Aotearoa, will address a public meeting in Eastbourne in midAugust. Organized by the Eastern Bays Climate Response Network, his lecture on The Future of Food and Energy looks at the real cost of growth, and the need to contain it.

Dr Joy (pictured) is a senior researcher at the Institute for Governance and Policy Studies at Victoria University who has received many awards for his work, including the inaugural Universities New Zealand Critics and Conscience of Society award, in 2017.

As an ecologist, he sees the world in terms of interconnected systems – civilization, he says, is facing “peak everything”, with climate change only one of a raft of existential crises that are “symptoms of overshoot”. (Ask any farmer about overshoot – they know you can’t stock more animals on your land than there is feed for them.)

These crises are the result of hitting planetary boundaries that we were warned about way back in the 1970s, Dr Joy says. Now, the combined effect of burgeoning population and high levels of consumption far exceeds the ability of the planet to sustain itself long-term – just like the farmer with too many animals and not enough grass, after a dry summer…or too much rain.

Because the overshoot was enabled using fossil energy – in the case of food, much of it through synthetic nitrogen fertilizer – we have been able to literally “eat the past”, says Dr Joy. While this transition was arrogantly labelled “the green revolution”, and talked up as a great human achievement, it was in fact a one-off subsidy from the past, he says.

Unfortunately, this legacy is close to its end as easy energy pickings diminish. To be able to feed our burgeoning population without fossil fuels and keep greenhouse gas emissions at a safe level will require a drastic reduction in consumption.

“For too long we’ve thought being busy is good, and we’ve collected lots of stuff,” says Dr

Joy. But quality of life is not about the number of cars, TVs, or rooms in a house. “We are energy slaves – but we can reverse that.”

The idea of “degrowth” can frighten people, because it’s linked with recession, he says. However, it can also be seen as enabling societies that prioritize social and ecological well-being – rather than corporate profits, overproduction and excessive consumption – to flourish. Our inescapable choice, Dr Joy says, is whether we do this in a managed way or have it forced upon us.

While the idea of reducing consumption seems huge to some people, Dr Joy says we’ve lived with making do, or doing without, before and “it wasn’t that bad. During the first lockdown, people felt really good about it.”

“Most people I know want to simplify their lives. That’s not radical – how we live now is radical.”

So what does Dr Joy do when he needs time out from his too-busy life? He sets sail for the Marlborough Sounds, in a 92-year-old kauri yacht. Some things were built to last.

Dr Mike Joy speaks on Sunday 13 August at 3 pm at St Ronans Church, 234 Muritai Rd, Eastbourne. For more information, go to https://eastbourne.nz/event/degrowth/ or phone 021 230 8210

What's Happening Hair!?

Anne Mackris-Berdebes

July 'round hair!

Bringing back the Rachel Green look of ultra-trendy and funky chop that brings us out of the June Gloom and into Fly-high July! This look is a fun and bouncy style which naturally add volume and jeuje.

This layered classic strikes the perfect balance between the 90's Rachel Green from Friends and the 60's Brigette Bardot The layers bring volume while the bangs shape your face and if you're feeling adventurous, then some face-framing baby-lights will add a colourful and summery look to get you through the cooler months without too much maintenance

So how do I style this RG look you might ask The best way to achieve this look starts with a volumising shampoo and conditioner followed by applying a mousse to damp roots and a heat protectant spray Using a round brush (the bigger the better) blow dry your hair My suggestions for round brushes are certainly the Denman ceramic brush, the heat in which the ceramic holds continues to shape your hair even after you've stopped applying heat Sectioning your hair is the most effective way to create a wavy, look that is loose rather than uniform

All these products and time may seem unnecessary, but with time this morning routine will become second nature and your hair will become iconic to your look, well worth the time investment!

The RG look is one which most suits hair colours which have several tones, whether that be a balayage brunette, soft copper, or of course a natural blonde where there are usually several tones coming through Come in and chat with me during your next chop to decide if this could be your next winter look!

Next ECB meeting:

7.15pm Tuesday 22 August, 2023, East Harbour Women’s Club, 145 Muritai Rd.

Thank you to all the residents who attended the June Eastbourne Community Board (ECB) meeting to speak (about the skateboard park, work in Days Bay, Tupua Horo Nuku and a speed review for roads in the Eastern Bays) and to hear presentations from the Tupua Horo Nuku project team, the Harbour Master, Grant Nalder, Regional Councillor Quentin Duthie, Council’s Head of Transport, and other Officers.

At the start of each meeting, there is time for public comment. During this time, anyone can speak for up to three minutes on anything related to the community. This is a good way to make a suggestion or raise an issue with the ECB and Council.

Keeping up to date

One of the Board’s roles is to inform residents about Council and Regional Council matters. We share information on the eastbourne.nz website, on the Eastbourne Community Notice Board Facebook page, on the display screen at the library, and by email. You can subscribe to the Board’s update emails at eastbourne.nz/ newsletter.

The Future of Food and Energy

A presentation by Dr Mike Joy. Brought to you by the Eastern Bays Climate Response Network. 3pm, Sunday 13 August at St Ronan’s 234 Muritai Road. Koha welcome.

Contacting the Community Board

If you have an issue or a suggestion for Council, including reporting a leak, please complete the Report a Problem form on huttcity.govt.nz. For urgent issues, call 04 570 6666.

Residents are welcome to contact ECB members about other concerns.

Belinda Moss (Chair) belinda.moss@huttcity.govt.nz

029 494 1615

Bruce Spedding (Deputy Chair) bruce.spedding@huttcity.govt.nz

021 029 74741

Frank Vickers frank.vickers@huttcity.govt.nz

027 406 1419

Murray Gibbons murray.gibbons@huttcity.govt.nz

04 562 8567

Emily Keddell emily.keddell@huttcity.govt.nz

021 188 5106

Tui Lewis (Ward Councillor) tui.lewis@huttcity.govt.nz

021 271 6249