Listening to the community
Ten years ago, in a move that foreshadowed the rising tide of environmental interest, Environment Victoria began to develop community programs aimed at helping people become practical environmentalists.
The resulting workshops and training programs have become what is now our Sustainable Lifestyles program.
The impetus was a rising awareness that key sectors of the community were being left behind in the move to create a more sustainable society. Whether because of language and cultural barriers, financial limitations, geographical location or a lack of age appropriate information, many were missing out. The knowledge was used to shape Environment Victoria's award-winning Sustainable Lifestyles Program, which now works with sectors of the community that many consider too ‘hard-to-reach’.
The results speak for themselves.
The evidence is in that sustainability information and programs, such as Environment Victoria's, are having a significant impact on Victoria’s environmental footprint. Last year, Melburnians collectively used up to 69 billion litres less water than the year before. And recycling of waste has increased from 46 to 60 percent between 2000 and 2006. There is, however, still a long way to go. Our work with groups such as refugees and new migrants, seniors, families on a budget, and non-English speaking communities has made it clear that for many environmental issues have not been a priority. And where they have, options for change have often been limited.
Living in the suburbs, many of the participants in our programs are simply not aware of the critical health of our waterways and the issues threatening the local environment. For those who have come from water-scarce countries or regions, unlimited water delivered directly to the home is a gift.
We tailor our programs to suit individual community needs.
We talk to communities about the issues that are important to them, the barriers and enablers to change, and what most influences their current behaviours.
Our programs are built on this information, using the data and learning styles that will most motivate each group and encourage the maximum behaviour change. As a result, all of our programs are different and each one individually successful. Programs can include a mix of different activities, including workshops and field trips, personalised home audits, information booklets to take home and read, training in leadership skills and even ‘sustainability bingo’, an activity that has become quite popular with some of our elderly program participants.
Underpinning each of our programs is a theory of behaviour change that is practical in nature. The idea, based in psychology, recognises that people are more likely to sustain a behaviour they have opted to change for themselves and in this way seeks to implement change from the bottom up. These programs are most effective where there is a personal benefit and, in Environment Victoria's case, these are many: an improved environment, reduced energy or water bills, a safer world for their children and grandchildren or just the ability to stand up and be heard. Many of our workshop participants are simply keen to learn more about their newly adopted country or be a part of a community activity.
And the theories also tell us that people often learn more effectively in social settings – taking through issues, sharing stories and experiences and brainstorming ideas together can be very powerful. And our programs have shown this to be true – our evaluations and feedback from participants have shown that participants have taken on sustainability for the long haul.
Our programs have an innovative and unique approach to community sustainability education that is proving an invaluable addition to mainstream sustainability programs. Through our creative and communal methodology, we've shown that our diverse programs can and do work to reduce the environmental impact of all Victorians.
We strive to support communities come up with their own solutions - whether starting up a local group, linking in to existing sustainability activities or becoming politically active. We've found that when we give people the tools and support to come up with their own solutions, they tend to be more effective. And communities that are empowered to find solutions will be better placed to face the challenges of climate change and adapt in a way that will support the environment, the community and the economy in the long term.
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