Expert Details
What are Surf Lifesaving Clubs doing to help our coast? Ask Ben about Ecosurf and how you can get involved.
|
Name: Ben Bartlett |
|
Description:
Ben Bartlett currently works for Surf Life Saving Australia and is the Project Manager for the organisation’s ‘Ecosurf’ movement. He has been instrumental in getting the Ecosurf initiative integrated throughout the national, state, regional and club bodies.
Ben’s role involves working with other national organisations such as Westpac, Landcare Australia (LAL) and the Federal Government, to develop and implement ways in which Surf Life Saving can make Ecosurf a reality.
Ben’s focus in the near future is working with Surf Life Saving ‘beacon’ clubs, who are leading the way in environmental practices and building case studies that will allow all of SLSA’s 305 clubs to implement sustainable environmental practices throughout the Australian coastline.
| Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry - Bureau of Rural Sciences http://www.daff.gov.au/brs/fisheries-marine Sydney Aquarium Conservation Fund http://www.sydneyaquarium.com.au/NonProfit/NON050.asp |
| Questions and Answers |
Questions Posted by: Clairvoyant |
| Qn: What does it mean to EcoSurf? Ans: Ecosurf has been apart of SLSA for approximately 10 years through the development and update of the Ecosurf policy which positions SLSA as an organisation that is aware of the environment in which we operate and some of the impacts that we could be having by delivering a vital community service. In 2006, SLSA extended Ecosurf to incorporate a program/movement in which surf life savers could work within communities, with local government, corporate partners and other like organisations to have a positive impact on the Australian coastline. Ecosurf, is unique as it is a national approach driven from a grass roots/club level. SLSA has passionate, driven and environmentally conscious members who are determined to have positive environmental impacts. SLSA has used Ecosurf to capatalise on its position as community leaders by identifying a number of beacon clubs who are currently working autonomously and with others to develop good practice guides that can be distributed to a broader audience of SLSA members, Coastcare groups and local community organisations. SLSA understands that Ecosurf needs to become apart of EVERYTHING we do. From running the Australian Surf Life Saving Championships (largest sporting event of its kind), installing solar panels and other renewable energy sources on clubs and the research and development of cleaner and greener technologies. SLSA is positioned ideally to present a "shop front window" to coastal conservation and the adaptation of climate change. Local communities are becoming increasingly savvy to climate change, rising sea levels and subsequent variations in weather patterns. SLSA understands that it has the responsibility, networks (305 clubs) and history to become community leaders in environmental conservation and the adaptation to climate change. Ecosurf offers simple solutions to complex issues. Finally SLSA will work with a collaboration of groups operating to acheive positive environmental outcomes. |
Questions Posted by: Andrew |
| Qn: What are the greatest environmental challenges currently facing Australia's surf clubs? Ans: I guess the single biggest issue facing surf life saving clubs (305) around the country is the adaptation to climate change and and subsequent rise of sea levels. Given the position of SLS clubs we need to be amongst the first to act .At the end of the day we will be one of the first organisations to be affected. Clubs are already experiencing the impacts of changing weather patterns. In some instances, club structures have been effected due to extreme weather patterns. Secondly, another signifant challenge SLS clubs have is harnessing the position of clubs within communities to develop support and create action. This comes down to acting as community leaders for coastal conservation. Our volunteers are passionate and dedicated Australians who are extremely community minded. Finally, another challenge for clubs is how we work with local governments in achieving our Ecosurf aims and objectives. Also, a challenge for SLSA as a whole is building capacity to harness grants, funds and support for Ecosurf projects. |
Questions Posted by: Melissa |
| Qn: In what ways could the general public, coastcare groups etc be making a real positive impact, in your field of work/expertise? Ans: From my perspective we know that communities are interested in the environment; years gone by have illustrated through increased media attention and the number of groups that have been formed that people are willing to have positive impacts on the environment in which they inhabit. At SLSA we are looking at ways in which SLSA can work with communities to harness passion, motivation and community action which will assist in achieving truly national outcomes. It really comes back to the logic of think global, act local. In my opinion, groups need opportunities to work TOGETHER. Central hubs for community/environmental action need to be set up. Once central points are developed, government departments can begin to firstly communicate priorities and objectives and then achieve outcomes through a conglomerate or people. Also, I think that groups can be working together to set up community leadership models for positive community action. Households, families and the general public need simple examples of positive environmental practices (leadership) in which they can feel a sense of ownership and begin to implement in their day to day lives. |
| Qn: If you could change one thing tomorrow about the way our coastal systems and resources are currently managed, what would that be? Ans: 1. I would utilise expertise to modernize the look and feel of coastal conservation. Environment conservation is for everyone. Youth need be educated ideas and given responsibility through fun, exciting and challenging programs and practices. Overall there needs to be an approach in which we say that coastal conservation is competing with other past times, for example computers and sport. What will attract people to action? 2. Centralise a clear and succinct communication channel from government through to the grass roots and communities. Not all people are driven by the same thing. Therefore it is vital to provide a vast array of opportunities for people to have positive impacts on the environment. Modernising coastcare. 3. Have all organisations, no matter what the size or structure working together to achieve a common goal |
| Qn: What are your major environmental concerns for our coastal and marine environments in the short and long term. Ans: Overall, my main involvement and concern is due to the impacts that climate change and varying weather patterns are having on the environment. At the end of the day, SLSA is positioned ideally to work with groups to have a positive environmental impact. The beach and coast is our backyard, it is a surf life savers workplace and environmental protection is part and parcel of saving lives. We have no choice, but to act! From an internal perspective, SLSA I positioned ideally to become coastal conservation leaders given their infrastructure and positioning on the coast. I believe it is crucial that like minded organisations work with each other and also with other organisations that may have a big environmental impact to implement change. At the moment there are a number of different groups trying to achieve similar results moving in different directions. Long term – the environment is going to slowly wear at the freedoms of living in a stable, clean and green country. You only have to look at the recent weather disasters to see that impacts are already occurring. |
|
Link: Download