By Ray Johnson Welcome to this special state by-election edition of Adventures in Climate Change. The candidates are known and it’s now up to the community to decide. There are important inter-generational equity issues in play, particularly for coastal communities where estuaries and beaches are under threat from accelerating sea-level rise. Yes, our collective effort - apart from national fossil fuel exports - is small in comparison to the global trajectory. But the NSW Parliament is an important decision-making and agenda-setting forum and, given the current minority government, there may be opportunities for a single member to have the occasional significant impact.Better strategies and planning now could materially reduce the local dollar and environmental costs of future adaptation.If you are concerned about the type of world we’re shaping for the youth of today and future generations here are some questions you could ask the candidates.1. Are you aware that the main drivers of climate change are economic growth and population growth? (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change for over three decades)2. Are you aware that the main drivers of the declining natural environment are economic growth and population growth? (Australian and NSW State of the Environment Reports)3. Are you aware that the latest NSW State of the Environment Report (June 2025) aligns its indicators with the nine planetary system boundaries but that the alignment is incomplete due to significant data gaps? (Six of nine ‘transgressed’ already)4. Are you aware that the NSW Government is pursuing significant growth strategies without assessing the climate change and environmental impact of those strategies? (e.g. “377,000 new well-located homes across the state by 2029”)5. If elected, what policies (if any) would you advocate for NSW to address the causes of climate change and the decline of the natural environment?

Internationally respected author and educator Graeme Sait will bring his ‘Soil Health is Your Wealth’ workshop to Kiama as a part of Nambruc Natural Farms ‘Go Out and Get Dirty’ local talks.Hosted by Douglas Ross of Nambruc Natural Farms, the soil health workshop will be held at the Joyce Wheatley Community Centre on Saturday 11 October.Sait is the founder of Nutri-Tech Solutions (NTS), a pioneering company in organic and regenerative agriculture, and creator of the popular Nutrition Farming Podcast, with 500,000 listeners globally.Sait is touring the east coast from the end of September to mid-October and his workshop will form part of Ross’ talk series that delivers practical strategies for both farmers and home gardeners.The one-day workshop covers carbon capture, foliar feeding, soil therapy, and more sustainable and profitable approaches. Sait says the workshop isn’t just for farmers, urban residents will also benefit from understanding the connection between soil health and human health.“There's a tremendous parallel between this whole soil health story and our own health,” he said.Sait explains that soil health is about minerals, microbes and organic matter, and the interplay between minerals and microbes is the “essence of our health”.Sait’s presentations have been described as “life-changing” by attendees, with his approach focusing on working with natural systems rather than against them.“Our whole focus has been on how you can reduce input costs, be more efficient and make more profit, and have more fun farming without the stress,” he said.The workshop runs from 7:30am to 5:30pm, with morning and afternoon tea provided, and participants are encouraged to explore Kiama ample lunch options.Private consultations with Sait are available on Friday 10 and Sunday 12 October at $250 per hour.More information about the event can be found through Nambruc Natural Farms and tickets can be purchased through Humanitix.

Ray Johnson Welcome to first-time and regular readers. In Episode Four we looked at how the IPCC assessed the quality of a wide range of climate science using a combination of “confidence” and ‘likelihood” ratings. This time we explore the quantity side of the anthropogenic drivers of climate change.The human activities include “the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, land use and land use changes (LULUC), livestock production, fertilisation, waste management, and industrial processes.” These activities produce the ‘greenhouse’ gases that are our focus.First, some concepts, drawn from the IPCC Glossary and the Working Group I (WGI) Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) Technical Summary: Flux – a flow of matter, heat or energy – can be from one place to another or from one medium to another eg land to atmosphere, atmosphere to ocean. Radiative forcing - “The change in the net, downward minus upward, radiative flux (expressed in Watts per square metre) due to a change in an external driver of climate change, such as a change in the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2), the concentration of volcanic aerosols or in the output of the Sun.” Effective radiative forcing (ERF) – after adjustment due to interactions of the flux through the atmosphere.To recap on the basics: In a stable climate the incoming energy of the Sun (downwards) is balanced by the outgoing reflected sunlight and thermal radiation (upwards). A positive ERF contributes to warming, and a negative to cooling. Well-mixed “greenhouse gases” are the most significant ‘positive’ drivers, mainly carbon dioxide and methane. Sulphur Dioxide is the most significant cooling gas.Having a common metric allows addition, comparison and further analysis, especially with regards to mitigation strategies (Working Group III).To compile the quantitative data WGI assesses a wide range of radiative forcing studies. WGI also looks at attribution studies, a complementary method, for increased confidence in the findings. In AR6 WGI covered (in decreasing impact order): Carbon Dioxide, Methane, Other Greenhouse Gases, Ozone, Other Anthropogenic, Solar, Volcanic, Land Use and Aerosols. Greenhouse gases can trigger feedback loops eg a warmer atmosphere can hold more water vapour which itself acts as a warming agent.The following graph shows the components, the relative significance of their impact (positive or negative) and the net total result (the dotted black line).To be clear this is only a small, but vital, component of WGI’s work collating and assessing the physical science of climate change. The depth of the full report illuminates a huge amount of work from the scientific community.As part of the current Assessment Report 7 cycle the IPCC has commissioned the Task Force on National Greenhouse Gas Inventories (TFI) to produce the 2027 IPCC Methodology Report on Inventories for Short-lived Climate Forcers (SLCF).AR6 WGI Technical Summary - Radiative Forcing Components To be clear this is only a small, but vital, component of WGI’s work collating and assessing the physical science of climate change. The depth of the full report illuminates a huge amount of work from the scientific community.As part of the current Assessment Report 7 cycle the IPCC has commissioned the Task Force on National Greenhouse Gas Inventories (TFI) to produce the 2027 IPCC Methodology Report on Inventories for Short-lived Climate Forcers (SLCF).The focus will be developing methodologies to fill gaps in the existing coverage specifically: Nitrogen oxides; Carbon monoxide; Non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs); Sulphur dioxide; Organic Carbon; “as well as emissions of primary particulate matter [micrometre size] relevant for radiative forcing, as appropriate.” The Report will produce separate volumes for inventory sectors: Energy, Industrial Process and Product Use (IPPU); Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use (AFOLU); and Waste. A separate volume will focus on cross-cutting issues. Speaking of waste … Australia’s National waste and resource recovery report 2024 was released in January this year. The data is for FY 2022-23. At a glance: “During the financial year 2022–23 Australia generated an estimated 75.6 million tonnes (Mt) of waste. This included 26.8 Mt of building and demolition materials, 14.6 Mt of organics, 10.3 Mt of ash, 6.5 Mt of hazardous wastes, 6.0 Mt of metals, 4.9 Mt of paper and cardboard and 3.0 Mt of plastics. This is equivalent to 2.88 tonnes (t) per capita.” Households and local government activities contributed 13.5 Mt of municipal solid waste I.e. 512 kg per capita and 18% of the total.On the bright side, the claimed “resource recovery rate” (waste reuse, recycling and energy recovery) was 66%.In NSW the NSW State of the Environment 2024 Report (June 2025 data also up to 2023) noted that Waste generation is increasing dramatically with landfills servicing Greater Sydney expected to run out of space by 2030. Commonsense says the recent high population growth and housing construction frenzy won’t slow the dramatic increase.

Kiama-based solar and battery company The Energy Experts is organising a series of Local Battery Bulk Buy/Info Sessions on Tuesday, 2 September at The Pavilion – in partnership with Sun People & Easther Electrical.“We want to educate people about the importance of buying quality when it comes to a home battery system - both from an efficiency and reliability point of view, but also from a safety perspective,” says Carolyn Lee of The Energy Experts. “There are plenty of entry-level brands on the market (a number of which are approved under the Federal Government rebate scheme). “It's so easy to be lured on a cheap price, but long-term reliability and safety are critical.”The combined buying power of these three companies will enable Kiama residents to save significantly on a home battery, as they’ll be buying container loads of batteries, rather than pallet loads.“Most people in our community choose to support local where they can and that’s exactly what they’ll be doing if they choose to install a government-subsidised battery through our bulk buy initiative,” says Lee.Battery storage enables households to power their homes with solar energy 24/7. The national battery rebate program began on 1 July. Over 16,000 batteries were installed across Australia in the first 28 days of the scheme. In the Illawarra alone, hundreds of batteries have been installed since the rebate went live.Experts in the solar industry have calculated the $2.3 billion in rebates will likely be exhausted within 12 months, based on current battery uptake.Households and businesses are installing larger batteries than they otherwise would because there’s such a generous rebate on offer (around 30% discount on the average cost of a battery; worth up to $16,500). As the subsidy can only be accessed the once, it works out to be more economical to install more battery capacity now than do it in two stages. For households that choose to join a Virtual Power Plant, where ongoing revenue can be generated by selling the stored energy back to the grid when demand is high, it’s financially more beneficial to have greater storage capacity, as it helps to achieve a faster return on investment. “The two info sessions we’re running on September 2 will clarify the different tiers of batteries available under the scheme and will also help people understand more about VPPs, which hasten the payback of a battery by around 20%,” Lee added. What: Local Battery Bulk Buy/Info SessionsWhen: Tuesday 2 September, 10:30am - 11:30am; and 5:45pm - 6:45pmWhere: The Pavilion, KiamaThere is limited seating, so register at theenergyexperts.com.au/events.

The Bugle’s gardening column, featuring local expert John Gabriele, will help you get the best out of your patch all year round.Following on from last week’s discussion on soil texture and structure, this week I’m sharing his insights into the secrets of soil pH.Why is soil pH important?Soil pH actually tells us the level of positively charged hydrogen ions in the soil.In simple terms, it affects how nutrients are released and retained by the soil. We are measuring the acidity and alkalinity of the soil.If we know the pH, we can adjust it to ensure nutrients are available at the right levels for our plants to thrive.”How do you test soil pH?It’s very simple. You can buy a colourimetric test kit for around $30. Just take a small soil sample, add a few drops of universal indicator, and gently mix to ensure good contact with all the soil particles.Once mixed, sprinkle barium sulfate over the top. This will trigger a chemical reaction, changing the soil’s surface colour. Then, compare that colour to the included chart to determine your pH level.A pH of 7 is neutral. Below 7 is acidic, and above 7 is alkaline - or what we call a 'sweet' soil.Adjusting your soil pHTo lower the pH, I recommend ameliorants like sulfur, which gradually acidifies the soil. Once it reaches around 6.5, most nutrients become available for plant uptake.On the other hand, if your soil is acidic - with a pH below 6 - and the plants you are rowing require a sweeter, more alkaline soil, so use a liming agent. To do this, apply at approximately 60g per square metre and cultivate into the soil.You could use garden lime, which will raise the pH quite quickly. But I’ve found it's a bit of a shotgun response - it works harshly.I prefer dolomite, which is gentler and acts more slowly. Plus, it contains additional magnesium and calcium carbonate.For those looking to improve clay soil structure without affecting pH, gypsum is a great option. It’s calcium sulfate, so it won’t alter the pH, but it will improve the structure of your clay soil.A tip for colour-blind gardenersNot everyone can use colour-based testing kits - particularly those who are colour-blind. If that is the case, take the soil sample to your local nursery, where staff can test it for you.Understanding and adjusting your soil’s pH is a simple step that can make a big difference in the health and success of your garden. Always apply ameliorants slowly and ensure to measure pH at the end of each growing season, adjusting as necessary.

For years, Scott Gutterson has been patiently waiting for his Moby Dick moment - an up-close sighting of the beautiful but deadly blue-lined octopus.Gutterson was in Kiama Rockpool, camera gear at the ready, taking advantage of the crystal clear water.Capturing footage of the amazing array of creatures that live below the surface is all part of his daily saltwater therapy.“I was actually going in to capture a few photos of the gloomy octopus in the rockpool and this guy was cruising the bottom looking for food,” Gutterson said.A member of the deadly blue-ringed octopus family, the shy mollusc is roughly the size of a 50-cent coin.So when Gutterson spotted the blue-lined octopus less than 30cm from his foot he felt no fear, just elation.“I reckon it's pretty rare for anyone to step on an octopus, especially a blue-ringed or blue-lined octopus, they are so small and timid and move so fast,” he explained.“So even if its arms come out and touch you, they actually have to use their beak to bite and release toxins. I think you have to be very unlucky if you're bitten because they're not going to bite unless they feel threatened.”The encounter was “a real unicorn moment” for the keen underwater snapper.Photo: Scott GuttersonSince moving to Gerringong from Toowoomba in 2017, he has made it his mission to swim in the ocean daily.The former Navy helicopter pilot joined the Werri Point Swimmers when he retired from the military after almost three decades of service.“I'm really kicking myself for not starting ocean swimming earlier,” he said.“I've travelled all over with the Navy - the Middle East and the Red Sea, all these beautiful places where I'd love to have been swimming or free diving. But at least I feel like I'm making up for lost time now.”The ocean is his happy place - it’s where he found his sense of community and met some of his closest friends, both human and marine.Last year he formed a special bond with a gloomy octopus he discovered in Kiama rockpool. He named her Roxy and for almost 10 months he would visit her every day.“Some days it was pouring down rain, freezing cold, but I’d go down there just to see how she was doing,” he recalled.The gloomy octopus (octopus tetricus) is a species known for its intelligence and named for its sad-looking eyes. But Roxy was far from downcast.Photo: Scott Gutterson“She knew who I was, she got to know me, she trusted me and we had this pretty cool relationship,” Gutterson said.“I’d take my wife and kids down to see her and she’d hide in her hole. Then I’d go down there and she'd grab my hand and run her arms through my fingers, and I’d feel all her suckers. It was really beautiful.”A gloomy octopus has a short lifespan, on average 11 months. Once a female lays her eggs she stops feeding and her focus is on protecting and caring for the eggs until they hatch. She dies a short time later.Gutterson knew his time with Roxy was coming to an end.“It really broke my heart,” he said. “Of all the interactions that I've had with marine creatures, she's been the one that's really touched my heart the most. You know, it's been a year and I'm still getting over it.“Roxy was a beautiful female octopus and I am so grateful to have formed that bond with her. Even now when I swim past the spot where I met her I get emotional.”Scott in action with his underwater camera. Photo: Amy CliffGutterson, now a pilot for the Toll Ambulance Rescue Helicopter Service, has “seen some pretty horrendous stuff” in his job.His daily ocean swims, interactions with creatures like Roxy, and spotting “incredibly rare” marine life like the blue-lined octopus are the perfect antidote to his high-stress job.“I may never see another blue-lined octopus again in my life, but I’ve got some great memories and cool footage,” he says.“Just like Roxy, they’re locked in the bank of good memories that the ocean gives me. The rockpool and ocean really are the gifts that keep giving.”

A team of citizen scientists is helping put Kiama on the map - literally - when it comes to tracking the tiniest threat to our waterways. While the beauty of Kiama’s coastline hides many secrets, a group of dedicated locals is uncovering one of its most insidious: microplastics.Karen Lang leads a small but determined team of citizen scientists surveying local beaches and rivers as part of a nationwide initiative known as AUSMAP (the Australian Microplastic Assessment Project).Supported by Macquarie University, the Total Environment Centre and private donors, AUSMAP is building a national picture of plastic pollution, one sample at a time.“In our LGA, I have about 30 people on my mailing list and we usually get half a dozen or more volunteers at each survey,” Karen explains. “We need at least eight to ten people now that the sampling methodology has changed.”The method is deceptively simple. After the high tide recedes, volunteers mark out a half-metre square, scrape off the top two centimetres of sand, sieve it, and sort the finds by size and type. Every fragment is logged and added to a searchable national database available to researchers, policymakers and the public. Karen’s team has found consistently low to very low concentrations of microplastics across much of the Kiama LGA, though Black Beach stands out as a local hotspot.“Some of the plastic is fishing tackle and food packaging,” she says, “but we’ve also found nurdles - tiny plastic pellets used in manufacturing, which shows how easily industrial plastic ends up in the environment. There’s also legacy rubbish like old bricks and building debris, likely due to past dumping near Storm Bay.”Despite lower concentrations here than in more industrialised areas like Sydney Harbour or the Parramatta River, Karen is convinced that Kiama’s data still matters.“Longitudinal data is key,” she says. “If concentrations increase or decrease, we want to know why. That helps assess whether prevention measures are working.”The work isn’t just about beach clean-ups. It informs real action.“We now know that synthetic rubber crumb from playgrounds is a big problem,” Karen notes. “At Surf Beach, it deteriorates and ends up in nearby creeks and lagoons. Prohibiting these materials, and ensuring industries prevent waste entering drains, are simple steps councils can take.”Karen’s journey began at a local event in 2019 when she spotted lead scientist Dr Scott Wilson demonstrating sampling techniques at Black Beach. One conversation led to a training session at Taronga Zoo, and soon she was coordinating local surveys.She’s now preparing for her group’s first survey of the Minnamurra River, a new focus area requested by AUSMAP. “We’ve never surveyed a river before, so that will be really interesting,” she says.As plastic use continues to evolve, so too must the response. “The job is never done,” Karen adds. “Raising awareness, improving legislation and supporting citizen science are all part of the solution.”

When most teenagers are sleeping in or glued to a screen, Ethan is planting trees, clearing weeds, and helping protect native flora in and around Kiama.At 13, Ethan is one of Landcare’s youngest and most dedicated volunteers. His commitment is clear in every seedling he plants and every working bee he attends.Ethan’s passion for horticulture began with bonsai trees, inspired by his nan.That early spark has now grown into a dream to study horticulture at TAFE and one day work in agriculture, especially regenerative farming.“I was walking one day with Mum when we saw a council worker planting here at Bombo Headland,” he explains.“That’s what got us started. We initially connected with Trevor Gollan from Friends of Killalea as well as Simon Williams through the Landcare Illawarra Facebook page.”Since then, Ethan has become a regular face at Landcare Illawarra walks, workshops and working bees across Killalea and Minnamurra and is set to begin volunteering at Bombo Headland as well.He’s not in it for community service hours or school credit. He’s there because it matters.“You are helping the animals and their habitat,” he says. “You’re stopping plant and animal species from going extinct. It’s super rewarding for me.”At school Ethan is focusing on science and maths, knowing it will help him get closer to his dream career. And while he hasn’t yet visited a regenerative farm, he’s determined to get there and is open to introductions.His mum is by his side at every working bee. She’s not from a conservation background, but Ethan’s passion has rubbed off on her too.Landcare Illawarra Coordinator Meredith Hall says “Ethan is a delight. He is focused and works hard at the working bees, is curious and asks thoughtful questions about plants. He is constantly learning, and we hope his volunteer work helps him define the career he wants”.In National Volunteers Week, Ethan’s story is a reminder that anyone can make a difference.His message to other young people is simple: “Just give it a go. You might find it’s the most rewarding thing you do.”Landcare Illawarra will be at the Kiama Volunteers Expo at Kiama Farmers Market on 21 May.

By Ray Johnson A big post-election welcome to first-time and regular readers. Today the task is to explore some of the key concepts the IPCC use to assess the wide range of individual climate-change-relatedresearch projects from around the planet.To simplify a complex matter, we begin by using the Rumsfeld matrix to explain the scientific task.Donald Rumsfeld was the United States Secretary of Defence in 2002 and was responding to a media question linking Iraq with “weapons of mass destruction.”He used the terms “Known knowns”, “Unknown knowns”, “Known unknowns” and “Unknown unknowns” to describe the intelligence space he worked in.With climate change it’s the scientific process that takes us from things we are neither aware of nor understand (Unknown unknowns), to things we are aware of and understand (Known knowns).Along the way science will grapple with things we are not aware of but do understand or implicitly know (Unknown knowns), and things we are aware of but don’t understand (Known unknowns).The IPCC has been assessing science for over three decades. The process has been refined over time, and review and improvement continues. Higher level IPCC assessments use a mix ofdegrees of “confidence” (a judgement of quality) and “likelihood” (an estimate of probability).The IPCC has a very extensive glossary of definitions which is the reference for the short summary here.Assessing “Confidence” takes account of the “type, amount, quality and consistency of evidence” as well as “the degree of agreement across multiple lines of evidence.”A level of confidence is expressed using five qualifiers: very low, low, medium, high and very high, and typeset in italics, for example, medium confidence." (Summary for Policymakers AR6 WGI Note 4 p4)“Likelihood” is “The chance of a specific outcome occurring, where this might be estimated probabilistically.”“The following terms have been used to indicate the assessed likelihood of an outcome or result: virtually certain 99–100% probability; very likely 90–100%; likely 66–100%; about as likely as not 33–66%; unlikely 0–33%; very unlikely 0–10%; and exceptionally unlikely 0–1%.Additional terms (extremely likely 95–100%; more likely than not 50–100%; and extremely unlikely 0–5%) are also used when appropriate.” (Summary for Policymakers AR6 WGI Note 4 p4)Still with us? Some examples:“Globally, gross domestic product (GDP) per capita and population growth remained the strongest drivers of CO2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion in the last decade (high confidence)” AR6 WGIII Technical Summary TS3 The full AR6 WGIII report provided more detail for this assessment, noting “robust evidence, high agreement”. AR6 WGIII Report Ch 2 Executive Summary We are clearly in the ‘known knowns’ here. [Calling all politicians]Regarding future sea-level rise (beyond 2100) … “As emphasized by SROCC (an earlier IPCC Special Report), there is a substantial likelihood that sea level rise will be outside the likely range. As described in Box 1.1, since the definition of ‘likely’ refers to at least 66% probability, there may be as much as a 34% probability that the processes in which there is at least medium confidence will generate outcomes outside the likely range. Furthermore, additional processes in which there is low confidence may also contribute to sea level change.” AR6 WG1 Main Report Ch 9 Ocean, Cryosphere and Sea Level Change Par 9.6.3 The main uncertainties here relate to the Greenland and Antarctic Ice Sheets. Science in these locations is especially difficult eg under the Antarctic ice. The science is definitely in the ‘known unknowns’ and ‘unknown unknowns’ categories. Some recent research examples, with tentative projected outcomes measured in metres of sea-level rise over hundreds of years, are here and here.We’ll conclude with two acknowledgements. First, a shout-out to local members of the Australian Religious Response to Climate Change and the South East Climate Alliance for their climate and energy election scorecard.Secondly, and more importantly, with the passing of Pope Francis the world has lost one of the great advocates for protecting our natural environment and acting on climate change. No one was safe from his criticism as this media release from the May 2024 Vatican three-day summit From Climate Crisis to Climate Resilience clearly shows.Some quotes from the media release: “The wealthier nations, around 1 billion people, produce more than half the heat trapping pollutants ... On the contrary, the 3 billion poorer people contribute less than 10%, yet they suffer 75% of the resulting damage.”“An orderly progress is being held back by the greedy pursuit of short-term gains by polluting industries and by the spread of disinformation, which generates confusion and obstructs collective efforts for a change in course.”The Pope appealed to policy makers to harness the regenerative power of nature in order to remove vast quantities of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere: “This holistic approach can combat climate change, while also confronting the double crisis of the loss of biodiversity and inequality by cultivating the ecosystems that sustain life.”

It was boots on sand and learning hats on this week as Kiama’s Deputy Mayor Melissa Matters joined a Landcare-guided coastal walk along Werri Beach.The event, led by local plant expert and former Werri Beach Dunecare Coordinator Ailee Calderbank, was more than just a stroll, it was a hands-on lesson in the hard work, deep knowledge, and quiet dedication behind 20 years of Dunecare at Werri Beach.Cr Matters’ presence signalled Council’s growing commitment to better understanding and supporting the work of Landcare.Landcare Illawarra Coordinator Meredith Hall, Landcare Illawarra Committe Member Alison Windsor and Deputy Mayor Melisssa MattersShe follows in the footsteps of Cr Melinda Lawton, who joined a similar walk earlier this year from the Little Blowhole to Minnamurra Headland.Both councillors are working to ensure Landcare voices are heard and valued in shaping council’s approach to environmental management.Guided by Ailee Calderbank, the group explored the native plants that make up the coastal and littoral rainforest vegetation unique to the area.From lomandra to banksias, the walk revealed how much life clings to the dunes - despite relentless pressure from invasive weeds, coastal winds and human impact.Morning tea under the fig tree near Pacific Avenue provided a chance to reflect and share stories.Participants heard how Dunecare volunteers have spent two decades painstakingly removing weeds, revegetating fragile dunes, and restoring habitat for native species.Their work is slow, steady and often unsung - but as Cr Matters noted, it is also invaluable.The event, led by local plant expert Ailee Calderbank, was more than just a stroll, it was a hands-on lesson in the hard work, deep knowledge, and quiet dedication behind 20 years of Dunecare at Werri Beach.“This kind of grassroots stewardship is what sustains our environment in the long run,” she said. “It’s not flashy, but it’s deeply effective.”Landcare events like this offer more than ecological education.They build relationships, between people and place, and between council and community.By walking the beach together, council members gain insight that can’t be captured in reports or policy briefings.And there’s more to come.Cr Erica Warren will be rolling up her sleeves to join volunteers at the upcoming community planting days throughout May:Saturday 10 May – Bombo HeadlandSaturday 17 May – Kendalls Beach (South End)Sunday 18 May – Minnamurra HeadlandSaturday 24 May – Werri BeachSaturday 31 May – Little Blowhole, KiamaEach event is hosted by a local Landcare group, and all are welcome to join.Whether you are plant-curious, weed-wary or just after good company and a cuppa, there’s a spot for you.Sign up here 

Looking for the perfect way to start your election day?Swap the polling queue for sea views and a story worth sharing.A special guided Landcare walk will be held at Werri Beach on Saturday 3 May, from 10am to 12pm.Led by local plant expert and Landcare legend Ailee Calderbank, this walk is your chance to uncover the hidden wonders of Werri Beach - one of Kiama’s most breathtaking landscapes, second only to the Blowhole.Here is what you will discover:• The native plants that weave the magic of our coastal and littoral rainforest vegetation,• The invasive weeds putting pressure on this fragile environment — and what we are doing about it,• The passionate Landcare volunteers who have been quietly restoring this beach for over 20 years,• How you can get involved in this inspiring conservation success story.Discover the hidden wonders of Werri Beach - one of Kiama’s most breathtaking landscapes, second only to the Blowhole. Photo: Siannon PariceThe plan:Meet under the iconic fig tree opposite 65 Pacific Avenue, Werri Beach, and return there for a delicious catered morning tea.Expect a relaxed walk along the full length of the beach, with plenty of time to stop, rest, and soak it all in.Important to know:• The walk covers dirt paths, sand, pavements, stairs and uneven ground.• Please wear sturdy walking shoes, a hat, comfortable clothes and bring plenty of water.You will still have heaps of time to vote afterwards - and you will have already voted for nature with your morning!Bring your friends, bring your family - and bring your love of this beautiful place.The event is free. Get your tickets here For more information, contact Meredith Hall on 0499 027 770

More than double the expected number of walkers turned up on Saturday 12 April to take part in a Landcare guided Kiama Coast Walk, a gentle but powerful reminder of how much local knowledge matters in caring for country.The walk, which covered sections from the Little Blowhole to Minnamurra Headland, was part of the Kiama Coastal Community Planting Program, supported by a BUPA Healthy Cities Landcare Australia grant.The Landcare Kiama Coastal walk started at Little Blowhole It showcased the work of four local Landcare groups restoring native vegetation along the coastlineWe gathered at the Little Blowhole where Landcare site coordinator Chris Powell welcomed the group.Cr Melinda Lawton and Little Blowhole Landcare Coordiantor Chris PowellFrom the very beginning, the tone was warm, curious and collaborative, with community members eager to learn and connect.Three experts joined the walk and generously shared their time and insights: horticulturist, Carl Glaister, Landcare Illawarra coordinator Meredith Hall, and Landcare’s seed collector Brendon Hammond.Landcare Illawarra Seed Collector Brendon HammondTheir message was simple but crucial: local matters.Carl pointed out that even native plants can cause harm if they are not native to this area.Carl Glaister with a native not native to the area.He showed examples of non-local natives that had been planted with good intentions but were not thriving or had disrupted the local ecology.It was a clear reminder of why deep local knowledge, not just broad environmental awareness, is so important.He also drew attention to three weeds of national significance that continue to threaten our coastal landscape: Agapanthus, Asparagus fern, and the deceptively beautiful but damaging Madeira Vine.Asparagus vine and agapanthus thrive on either side of the Kendalls beach stairsMany walkers were stunned to discover that the lush vine growing along the fence at the Surf Beach cabins was, in fact, Madeira vine, a fast-spreading invader that can smother native bushland and pull down mature treesMadeira Vine thriving on the fence at Surf Beach cabins The walk ended with a generous morning tea at Minnamurra Headland, where walkers mingled with Landcare volunteers and swapped stories over homemade treats.For many, it wasn’t just about learning how to remove invasive weeds, it was about reconnecting to place, to purpose, and to one another.Weeds to watch out for:• Agapanthus (Agapanthus praecox): Often used in suburban gardens, agapanthus forms dense clumps that crowd out native plants. Its seeds spread easily via stormwater.• Asparagus fern (Asparagus aethiopicus): • A vigorous woody herb with spiky leaves and an underground corn that needs to be removed. Its colourful berries are spread easily by birds.• Madeira vine (Anredera cordifolia): This vine produces fleshy aerial tubers and can smother entire tree canopies. Despite its pretty heart-shaped leaves, it is a serious environmental threat.For practical tips on how to remove these weeds safely and effectively see the following links: Maderia Vine  Ground Asparagus (fern)  Agapanthus Upcoming events in Landcare Kiama Coastal Community Planting program.Saturday 3 May | 10am – 12pm | Werri Beach and Werri Lagoon Book hereWe know it is Election Day, but it will be a short walk.And please join one, or more 😊, of the community plantings at the sites you visited:Saturday 10 May | Bombo Headland – Hosted by Bombo Headland Landcare Book hereSaturday 17 May | Kendalls Beach (South End) – Hosted by Kaleula Headland Landcare Book hereSunday 18 May | Minnamurra – Hosted by Minnamurra Headland Landcare Book hereSaturday 24 May | Werri Beach – Hosted by Werri Beach Dunecare Book hereSaturday 31 May | Little Blowhole, Kiama – Hosted by Little Blowhole Landcare Book hereFriends and family are welcome. Even if you can come for a short time, it will help us plant 300 plants at each site.And just contact Meredith Hall on 0499 027 770 with any questions about these events or Landcare Illawarra, at any time.

Welcome first-time and returning readers.With community feedback being sought on the Kiama Local Housing Strategy (Draft v2), it’s timely to take a look at the upcoming IPCC Special Report on Climate Change and Cities.The genesis of this report was a forward-looking 2016 decision to produce it as part of the now current IPCC Seventh Assessment Cycle. The report’s outline was agreed at the 61st IPCC Panel meeting in Bulgaria in mid-2024 along with a schedule leading to final approval of the completed report in March 2027. With the 23 February 2025 announcement of the Coordinating Lead Authors, Lead Authors and Review Editors, work is now underway. There are five Australians amongst the 97 experts from 56 countries that form this leadership group. A First Order Draft will undergo Expert Review from October to December this year.That’s enough on process … what does the outline say? The February announcement says: “The Special Report on Climate Change and Cities will provide a timely assessment of the latest science related to climate change and cities, including climate impacts and risks, as well as adaptation and mitigation solutions that can be taken to minimise them.” In effect, it’s a focused preview drawing on current assessments by the IPCC Working Groups preparing for the Seventh Assessment due in 2029.Around half of the world’s population live in urban areas so there’s no question of relevance. When you consider 2024’s 1.5 degree Celsius breach and the American climate policy changes, there’s no question of need either.The five chapter titles are:Cities in the context of climate change: framing of the reportCities in a changing climate: trends, challenges and opportunitiesActions and solutions to reduce urban risks and emissionsHow to facilitate and accelerate changeSolutions by city types and regionsSome takeouts that might be relevant thought-provokers for Kiama planning (drawn from the full outline)Interconnection between local and global context; assessing complex/cascading/compounding/repeating risks; (Ch 1 context/framing)Learning from the past; trends/means/extremes; urbanisation extent/form/growth and decline; regional climatic impact-drivers; socio-economic trends that shape current approach including policy and governance (Ch 2 in a changing climate).Local risk assessments; integrating mitigation and adaptation options in the context of sustainable [environmental sense] development (Ch 3 action and solutions)Innovation in governance/urban planning policies; institutional capacity/capability; demand-side mitigation measures [very relevant in the Kiama context] (Ch 4 facilitating and accelerating change)An increased focus on regions as proposed for the entire Seventh Assessment Cycle (Ch 5 solutions by city types and regions)Time is against Kiama here due to the planned 2027 publication. However as the Report will have a first draft later in the year it’s reasonable to assume that most of the research and data they will be assessing in that draft already exists or is nearing completion. So the Report outline can also be seen as a pointer to best practice for the climate change dimension of the Kiama housing strategy, a strategy that aims to provide “a framework for how we can accommodate growth to meet our housing supply targets and ensure sustainable and responsive delivery of housing.”By Ray Johnson

Kiama’s natural beauty and biodiversity are central to its identity, but with increasing development pressures, how can we ensure that growth enhances rather than threatens these environmental assets?With the Kiama Draft Growth and Housing Strategy V2 under discussion, there is a valuable opportunity for the community, developers, and environmental groups to work together to embed stronger protections for native vegetation.Local groups such as Landcare and Bushcare already play a vital role in preserving and restoring bushland. Their volunteer-driven efforts remove invasive species, replant native flora, and support habitat regeneration. Revegetation of Fountaindale Dam at JamberooWhen communities take ownership of conservation, long-term environmental benefits follow. However, these efforts need to be backed by structured planning and developer accountability to ensure meaningful impact.One approach is Voluntary Planning Agreements (VPAs), legal agreements between councils and developers that ensure public benefits are delivered as part of new developments. In Kiama, VPAs could be tailored to prioritise native vegetation projects, establish conservation zones within developments, and secure long-term funding for land management. Developers could also collaborate directly with community groups to identify areas for revegetation, ensuring that habitat protection goes beyond compliance to become a shared responsibility.The Kiama Draft Growth and Housing Strategy V2 provides an opportunity to embed these principles in Kiama’s planning framework. A well-designed system would ensure environmental obligations are not treated as an afterthought but are integrated into development approvals from the outset. With a collaborative approach between council, community organisations, and developers, Kiama can balance growth with conservation, protecting its green spaces for generations to come.Have your say online here

This article is based on an interview between Bernie Hems from KCR and Councillor Melinda Lawton on 4 March 2025. The conversation covered key issues including council transparency, conservation efforts in the Jamberoo Rainforest Wetlands, and the future of Kiama’s housing strategy.Cr Melinda Lawton believes the Kiama community deserves more than just final voting outcomes on council decisions. She wants more explanation around confidential items to ensure residents understand the reasoning behind key choices."It is difficult to figure out what’s going on in the minutes,” she said, explaining that council’s role isn’t just about cutting costs but also about improving revenue streams while delivering better services.Cr Lawton is also pushing for stronger protections for the Jamberoo Rainforest and Wetlands. At a meeting on 14 February, around 40 people gathered to form a new working Landcare group, supported by Landcare Illawarra.The group will focus on regeneration, conservation, and seeking grants.Stakeholders including Jamberoo Valley Ratepayers and Residents Association (JVRRA), Landcare Illawarra, WIRES and local wombat rehabilitation representatives attended, highlighting the ecological significance of the area.“There are 185 recorded bird species in the Jamberoo Rainforest and Westland’s ” Cr Lawton said. “It’s a biodiversity hotspot, and we need to protect it.”Environmental expert Howard H Jones raised concerns that only 4% of the region’s original wetlands remains due to land clearing and development.Efforts are now underway to have the wetlands officially registered for greater protection.Cr Lawton initially pushed for more time before releasing the revised local housing strategy for public consultation.However, council extended the consultation period to 60 days, giving the community a chance to review the document.“This is the biggest decision we will make as a council,” she said. “We need proper community consultation, not just written submissions.”She supports holding panel discussions where experts can explain the strategy and answer public questions.One key issue is the inclusion of new development sites in the latest version of the plan.The controversial West Kiama development, previously rejected by council, was later approved by the Southern Regional Planning Panel despite ongoing concerns about infrastructure and environmental impact.“I still have reservations,” she said. “Growth must be well planned and sustainable.”Upcoming community sessions will be held at Kiama Farmers’ Market on 26 March and Gerringong IGA on 27 March.Residents can also review the strategy on the council website and submit feedback through an online questionnaire.Cr Lawton’s message is clear: the future of Kiama must be shaped with community input, careful planning and environmental responsibility.With The Bugle and Kiama Community Radio continuing to provide reliable coverage, the community remains informed and engaged in these vital discussions. Tune into Bernie Hems show at 9 am on Tuesdays on KCR.

By Ray JohnsonEpisode 1 – The IPCCWelcome to the first of a series of informative articles on Climate Change. The aim is to provide easy to read explainers of climate change science, its organisations, processes, issues and implications. We start with a primer on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (the IPCC) and the framework for governments to act on IPCC advice.  The IPCC is the United Nations body for assessing the science related to climate change. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) established the IPCC in 1988. Its mission was to “prepare a comprehensive review and recommendations with respect to: the state of knowledge of the science of climate change; the social and economic impact of climate change, and potential response strategies and elements for inclusion in a possible future international convention on climate.” Over time the IPCC core mandate has continued, the science has evolved, and the confidence in key scientific findings has increased to the highest levels.The IPCC has so far produced six assessments and a range of reports and papers. These assessments underpinned the creation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC - 1994), the Kyoto Protocol (1997), and the Paris Agreement (2016). The Paris Agreement’s goal is to hold “the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2 degrees C above pre-industrial levels” and pursue efforts “to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degree C above pre-industrial levels.” The Sixth Assessment was finalised in March 2023 and the Seventh Assessment is due late 2029.Each Assessment consists of three Working Group reports and a Synthesis Report. The Sixth Assessment factsheet (8 pages) demonstrates the immense effort and detail that goes into each assessment cycle. Across the three working group reports there were 782 authors and editors, nearly 200,000 comments by experts and governments, and over 66,000 research citations.  What is the impact of all this advice? The UNFCCC has been ratified by 198 countries, virtually universal support. The Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty, adopted by 196 parties. The parties of the Framework Convention come together to form the Conference of the Parties (COP), the ‘supreme’ decision-making body of the Convention. The COP meets regularly, typically annually, and the COP Presidency rotates among the five recognised UN regions - Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, Central and Eastern Europe and Western Europe and Others.  Brazil hosts COP30, the next meeting, in November this year (2025). This meeting is vitally important as it is here that nations need to commit to action to meet the Paris Agreement targets. In a recent speech in Brazil, UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell said “Because these national plans are among the most important policy documents governments will produce this century, their quality should be the paramount consideration.” The original deadline for national plans was 10 February but Secretary Stiell indicated September was a hard deadline.Climate Action Tracker paints a grim picture: “Only six of the [42] countries the Climate Action Tracker analyses have submitted their new 2035 climate targets in time for the Paris Agreement's 10 February 2025 deadline, and only one — the UK — is proposing actions at home that are 1.5 degree C-aligned.” One of the six was the USA. On 20 January 2025 President Trump signed an Executive Order withdrawing the USA “from any agreement, pact, accord, or similar commitment made under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.”  In Australia Sky News reports: “Both major parties avoid 2035 Paris Accord [Agreement] climate commitments ahead of federal election”.  The science, advice and governance frameworks are in place. The need is political will. Time is running out.

If you have ever had a child insist on picking up rubbish at the beach or question why something is not being recycled, you will know that kids often lead the way. They see the world with fresh eyes, unburdened by the habits that adults have normalised. When sustainability becomes part of their learning, it quickly spreads to families and the wider community. Schools are the perfect place to start when it comes to embedding best practice in waste management. Normalising sustainability in childhood makes it second nature for life. But what happens when the passionate teacher who drives these initiatives moves on? Without structured support, many programs disappear. Few people understand this challenge better than Sue Hassler. An educator and sustainability leader, Sue helped transform waste management engagement in schools and communities. From pioneering recycling programs at Gerringong Public School to creating the Sustainable Schools Australia Facebook group with over 8,000 members, Sue has seen first-hand how sustainability efforts thrive when embedded into a school’s culture – and how quickly they can fade when they are not. Sue’s work first gained national attention when Gerringong Public School joined the Kreative Koalas program, winning Best Community Project and being featured on ABC’s War on Waste in 2018. Students conducted plastics audits, overhauled the school’s bin system, and established a TerraCycle Drop-off Point, collecting over 60,000 hard-to-recycle items. Their efforts drastically cut waste, reducing landfill bins from 21 per week to just four.Beyond the school gates, their mascot Captain Koala became a community-wide recycling hub, reinforcing sustainable habits across the region. But these initiatives did not survive long-term.“When I left, it all fell apart,” Sue said. “There was no plan in place to sustain it, and the priorities of leadership changed.”This is a common issue in schools. Without systemic support from leadership and structured policies to ensure sustainability programs continue, they often disappear when the teacher championing them moves on. Sue believes the key to long-term sustainability lies in whole-school integration.“It has to come from the top down,” she said. “Sustainability should not be an ‘extra’ that only happens if a teacher is passionate about it. It needs to be embedded in school policies, supported by leadership, and incorporated into everyday learning.” She suggests several strategies to ensure programs last: ✔ Leadership support – School principals must value and prioritise sustainability. ✔ Staff engagement – A small team should lead programs, so they do not rely on one person. ✔ Community involvement – Engaging parents, local businesses, and councils strengthens long-term impact. ✔ Education department backing – Statewide policies should mandate sustainability education, rather than treating it as an optional add-on. While sustainability is included in the curriculum, Sue points out that there are no clear requirements for how much time schools must dedicate to it.“A school can spend five minutes on sustainability and tick the box, or they can spend five hours making real change,” she said. “Without guidelines, it varies hugely between schools. If we want sustainability to be the norm, it needs to be built into teacher training and school leadership programs.” Despite these challenges, Sue remains committed to spreading best practices. She continues to run Sustainable Schools Australia, where educators share resources and support to implement sustainability initiatives. For teachers looking to make an impact, her advice is simple – start small and make it visible.“You do not have to do everything at once,” she said. “Begin with something manageable, like a recycling program or reducing plastic in lunchboxes. The key is to involve students, engage the community, and make sustainability a normal part of school life.” Sue’s experience highlights an important lesson – real change happens when sustainability is embedded into culture, curriculum, and community. Because when kids take the lead, they do not just follow the rules – they reshape the future.

Love for the Wetlands was evident at the Jerrara Rainforest and Wetlands Reserve Community Meeting, held on Valentine’s Day, where an overwhelming turnout required organisers to double the number of chairs initially set up. Initiated and co-hosted by the Jamberoo Valley Ratepayers and Residents Association (JVRRA) with Landcare Illawarra, the event saw residents, experts, and Kiama Councillors Melissa Matters, Melinda Lawton, and Erica Warren come together to plan the future of this precious natural area.Map of Jerrara Rainforest and Wetlands Reserve A key moment in the meeting was the strong community support for formally renaming the site Jerrara Rainforest and Wetlands Reserve, replacing the outdated term ‘dam.’This change was seen as an important step in recognising the area’s ecological value and setting the tone for future conservation efforts.Te meeting was opened by JVRRA secretary Ros Neilson who provided background on the history of the rainforest and wetlands site.Secretary of JVRAA Ros Neilson Howard H. Jones, an expert in local ecological restoration, highlighted the critical loss of Kiama’s natural habitats, revealing that only 4% of the region’s original rainforest remains, with over 400 hectares of wetlands and rainforest lost due to land clearing and development.This alarming statistic reinforced the community’s commitment to protecting and enhancing what remains.The discussion made it clear that the community overwhelmingly supports preserving Jerrara as a natural area. There was strong recognition that birdwatchers, walkers, and nature enthusiasts already contribute to local tourism by visiting the area and supporting businesses in Kiama and Jamberoo.Illawarra Birders’ Ralph Stadus shared that Jerrara hosts 185 recorded bird species, making it the most biodiverse birdwatching site in the Illawarra. Birdwatching expert Darryl Goldrick and Botanist Carl Glaister also contributed, reinforcing the need to protect the site as a vital sanctuary for native bird species.WIRES representatives, Gayle Tarrant and Heather Milroy, spoke about the new wombat rehabilitation enclosure, which will be the first of its kind in NSW.The facility, secured through a five-year renewable agreement with Kiama Council, will provide a safe pre-release environment for orphaned and injured wombats.A significant discussion point was the strong community support for a complete no-dog policy, with attendees agreeing that protecting native wildlife and ensuring visitor safety must take priority. Several people raised concerns about off-leash dogs disturbing native species and posing risks to walkers, leading to calls for clearer signage and enforcement.Joe Carter from Landcare Illawarra outlined the formation of a Jerrara Rainforest and Wetlands Landcare Group, which will focus on weed control, habitat restoration, and native tree planting.Many attendees expressed interest in joining, reflecting the community’s hands-on approach to conservation.One of the next key steps is securing an updated Kiama Council Plan of Management to ensure formal recognition and long-term protection of the reserve’s biodiversity. Contributions from local experts such as Kevin Mills and Howard R. Jones added momentum to this goal, with many attendees offering their expertise to help guide future planning.Rather than focusing on large-scale changes, the community agreed that small, achievable steps would be the best approach.The immediate priorities include:Revitalising the arboretum and restoring native vegetation.Launching the Jerrara Rainforest and Wetlands Landcare Group.Organising a community event for the Nature Conservation Council’s Picnic for Nature in October 2025.With strong community backing, expert input, and ongoing council involvement, Jerrara Rainforest and Wetlands Reserve is set to become a model for grassroots conservation in the Kiama region.The enthusiasm and expertise at the meeting ensured that this was not just a discussion, it is the beginning of real action.

This Valentine’s Day, why not celebrate a different kind of love - the love of nature? Instead of chocolates and roses, why not give back to the environment we all cherish?Join us on Friday, 14 February, for the Jerrara Wetlands Community Meeting, where we come together to shape the future of this beautiful natural space.Start your afternoon with a leisurely walk through the wetlands at 1:00 pm, soaking in the serene beauty of native wildlife and thriving bushland.Then, at 2:00 pm, gather at Jamberoo Youth Hall to share ideas, connect with fellow nature lovers, and discuss how we can protect and enhance this vital ecosystem.Whether you’re passionate about conservation, eager to volunteer, or simply want to learn more, this is your chance to show your love - for Jerrara Wetlands, for community, and for the future of our natural spaces.Register via the QR code or call Meredith on 0499 027 770 to confirm your attendance. Your input matters - we’d love to see you there!💚 Fall in love with nature this Valentine’s Day! 💚