In preparation to see David Suzuki's talk in a week, I went to the library and borrowed a couple of books by him, a video and a children's 'Eco-Fun ' book. If the kid's book comes out in a Gameboy game or Pokémon endorses it, I may have a chance they are interested. Still, lead by example I try to remind myself. So put the Gameboy down Natalie. Only kidding. The only thing pleasureable about a Gameboy to me, is imagining how far it would sail if I chucked it out the window. Anyway, the video I got, bad eighties fashion aside did have some valuable advice ( it was on climate change) and that was: before you go and spend big dollars and resources on big energy saving devices like solar panels, do the small things. Like sealing windows and doors, adding insulation, changing to energy smart light globes etc. It made so much sense to begin more humbly and practically and keep the big guns for later. So we'll concentrate on getting some awnings for our north facing windows and sealing the doors and windows properly. Also buying an evaporative cooler so we don't have to use the airconditioning. Our ceilings sadly are too low for fans. My tall husband says he is rather fond of his head. And we can continue to plant medditerranean and native plants in the garden. Especially edible ones!

On a less empowering note, I just found out that the silver cell technology Australia has developed (for solar panels) will go to commercial manufacturers overseas due to a lack of goverment backing (funding). This is one of the saddest and dumbest turn of events I ever had the embarrassment to witness. Australia's greatest resource is sunshine, definitely not intelligent leadership. "Hellooooooo, is anyone steering this boat?!"