Issue 19 | Special Edition 2021-2022
l a n r u o J
Special Contribution: Dr Johanna Nalau Belltrees Public School | Meryl Batchelder Subpod | Marie Carvolth | Ava Princi
D O
SOM ET HI N G
G R E AT
FO R
TH E
P L A NE T
Turn your food waste into greenspace “As the global food waste crisis hits people’s radars, innovators are coming up with all kinds of creative solutions. Joining the movement, a team of people in Australia, has dreamed up a novel solution that makes composting food waste easier, quicker and more appealing – and it’s now been launched globally.” FO R B E S
Plants Grow
Food Waste
Compost
Air Flow Worm Flow
No Smells! No Mess! No Stress!
145 Verified Reviews
Shop Subpod online at www.subpod.com or visit your local Bunnings Store in Australia. Page 8
Dr Johanna Nalau
is climate “ What change adaptation?
Adaptation requires us to accept that the future will be different from today. Questions that are currently circulating are often quite practical: For example, areas
”
By Dr Johanna Nalau
with more future heatwaves need to think differently about the environment: are there enough trees that provide shade for the children when they play outside? What does a heatwave plan look like, and what options are there to reduce heat in and outside of buildings? Are there opportunities to invest in renewable
While many think that climate change is something
energy sources such as solar and wind? What are the
that happens in the future and in other countries to
emergency management plans during extreme storms
other people, we have already seen clear signs what a
that can increase flooding of transport networks and
changing climate can bring to places like Australia. For
even prevent some children from attending school?
example, the Australian Open in 2019 was cancelled due to a heatwave that created unbearable conditions
Answering many of these questions can be quite
for the games to go ahead. We have also seen the
complex but there is more and more information
devastation that the unprecedented 2019/2020 bushfires
available on how we can adapt to the different
brought and increasing floods all across the country.
impacts of climate change. Proactive and forward
Many of these issues have real impacts on the ways we
looking mindset is needed to make sure that we can
live and where we live.
keep our communities and schools safe in a changing environment.
I work as an adaptation scientist at Cities Research Institute at Griffith University and my research looks at how we can make better decisions in how we plan to adapt to climate change impacts in Australia and internationally. Adaptation is about how we can respond and plan to keep our communities safe in a future with more bushfires, more heatwaves and increased temperatures, changes in seasons, and increases in flooding and rising sea levels to name a few. My research specifically investigates how people reason about how to adapt to climate change and I try to identify useful ways of thinking about adaptation that is helpful for making decisions. Adaptation is a relatively new issue for many countries and sectors. Australia is developing a new National Climate Resilience and Adaptation Strategy to be released in October 2021 that outlines how efforts at the national scale can enable different sectors to adapt. Many sectors, states and local governments already have climate adaptation plans and now the discussion is focused on how to implement these effectively. For example, Victorian Department of Education has a climate change adaptation strategy 2022-2026 in consultation outlining what actions and strategies can be implemented in the education sector and key factors
Dr Johanna Nalau shares her thoughts on climate adaptation and everyday leadership on her website. Check out for example, ‘How to use framing to make better decisions’, or ‘Why stories matter’ on this link: https://johannanalau.com/ On Dr Nalau’s website you can also find all of her publications which provide insight into climate adaptation and the role adaptation science plays in decision-making. One of the best things we can all do to take positive action to address climate change is be informed. When we understand, we communicate with greater ease, and we can help others. We thank Dr Nalau for sharing her knowledge and helping us all be a little more educated.
around environmental sustainability. Page 9
Organisation Feature
Subpod began with a simple idea: make composting a part of everyday life! Team subpod believes that if we can do that, we can teach people to love the soil their food comes from and make the world a little bit better together.
Subpod
Launched in January 2019 via the crowdfunding platform Indiegogo, Subpod was created after spending two years developing and piloting prototypes. The support was overwhelming, and by May 2019, they had
“The earth beneath our feet is longing for us to create
surpassed their goal raising over $350,000 from 1,579
intelligent, efficient design and systems, and the soil we
backers in 21 countries.
grow our food within needs our careful consideration in order to rebuild it, and that is my focus. If we can feed the
Subpod is an in-garden compost system and worm farm
soil, we can feed the world.”
that works with nature, using worms and microbes to compost organic waste without the odours, vermin,
The team behind Subpod knew that above-ground
mess, and hard work of traditional composting. It not
compost systems are often difficult to maintain and
only disposes organic waste but is also the ‘growth hub’
attract pests. Worm farms that are above ground also
for any garden.
fail when they get too hot or cold. Subpod was designed to sit 90% below the soil level in the garden, so the
SO, how does subpod work?
compost worms that live inside can come and go freely (nourishing the soil directly). The soil insulates the compost and protects the worms from harsh weather,
The movement of worms and microbes between
which allows to keep composting regardless of the
Subpod and garden bed builds soil fertility and plant
season.
health, allowing to grow nutrient-dense food at home with ease. These compost worms and microbes live
“Our mission at Subpod is to grow a global community
inside Subpod and turn all the materials you feed
of everyday people committed to changing the way we
them (food scraps, paper, and coconut peat) into rich
think about waste. But one simple habit can create a big
compost. Fresh air circulates through Subpod via the
change. For example, when we compost food waste, it
ventilation panels, which helps aerobic odourless
creates fertile soil that grows healthy food. It’s a simple
microbes speed up the composting process. As the
and practical way to do our bit and participate in the
worms and microbes breed, they explore the soil, taking
emerging Circular Economy that views all waste as a
compost particles and boosting fertility through the
resource.”
garden bed. Most food waste can be composted in Subpod without worry. Fruit and vegetable scraps, eggshells, coffee grounds, used tea leaves, spoiled plant-based milks, grains, pastas, breads, nuts (and their shells), seeds, pits, husks and so on. Small amounts of meat, seafood, dairy foods, citrus, onion, and garlic may also be added. Subpod can also process spicy herbs, peppers and oils. Most scrap paper and cardboard can be added too. Natural fibres like cotton wool balls and pads, tampons, toilet paper cores and even natural latex condoms and gloves can go into the Subpod. Wood and bamboo, human and animal waste are also on the list. Page 20
Organisation Feature
Subpod began in 2017 and with the help of an amazing team they were able to take the original idea out into the world in 2019. The Subpod team, an eclectic bunch of food waste warriors from Byron Bay believed that integrated composting food systems, composting education and self-sufficient high nutrient food growing were the way of the future. The team behind Subpod wants to see more and more people composting effectively, growing, and gaining a better understanding of the food they eat, this is their passion.
SUBPod IN SCHOOLS As a business, Subpod’s goal is to promote education and educational platforms. Grow Hub and their community is at the heart of their business model. So far, the business has over 13,000 members in their online community platform that schools are welcome to join and share their tips and connect with other educators. Subpod has been used in schools across the planet! Disposing of green waste costs schools hundreds of dollars every year. For example, a school with 300 pupils can create 34kg/84lbs of waste a week just from classroom snack breaks – that is, excluding recess or lunch. When you factor in the food waste created from recess and lunch, the amount of Subpods, a school requires will depend mainly on the student population. So far, the record is 41 Subpods in one school! Subpod has been successfully adopted by many schools in Australia in the last couple of years. Pre-schools love Subpods, says Kathryn, Subpod’s Project Manager. “The children love it so much! as it creates opportunities for outdoor classroom activities and project-based learning with an interactive tool that connects students to the natural world in a safe environment. With the Subpod, teachers can encourage students to think about the link between growing and consuming food. It allows students to safely explore the natural world with a valuable crosscurricular learning tool, promoting a sense of community in schools. There are so many curriculum opportunities for it to connect to!”
When it comes to schools initiating their composting journey, Kathryn recommends starting small and building on it. “How much waste do you think you can start diverting? Then, get the system set up in the school, set a routine in place, get everyone in the school – teachers, grounds people, tuckshop, P&C on board, and set a goal for your school,” she says. “We believe that if we can do that, we can teach people to love the soil their food comes from and make the world a little bit better together.” No doubt composting with Subpod can help solve the food waste problem. However, the change starts inside our homes. We need to replace harmful landfills with closed-loop, circular and sustainable systems that will protect our planet. We can grow our food and compost our waste, donate and repair old clothes, and recycle old technology to use every part again. Instead of taking, consuming, and disposing, we can grow, consume, and compost. Our planet is precious, and the sustainable solution is all about making the most of what it gives us! Make sure you check the Subpod for Schools info Pack and the Compost Lesson Guide and start composting! Also for support via an online composting community join Grow Hub or to purchase your Subpod visit their website today! The SSN would like to thank Kathryn and the Subpod Team for sharing their story and educational resources. If you would like to get in contact with Kathryn you can contact her at: kathryn@subpod.com
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n o i t a c u d E g n i n i g Reima The Sustainable Schools Network aims to educate and connect school communities to imagine a sustainable future.
For more information email: info@ssn.org.au www.ssn.org.au