Summer Issue 44

• Changemaker Maree Lowes • Farmers on regeneration and climate change • Diving into sustainability with Camp Cove • Demystifying the murky world of ‘green’ plastics • Photos celebrating real skin • Ways to sync with nature • Seven acts of everyday activism • Free maxi dress sewing pattern •

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Cash for climate change

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Waste Not

Julie Sanduski is a designer working at the intersection of food, sustainability and UI/UX. Her goal is to influence change...

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Part of our responsibility to the planet and the next generation is to go outside often and connect. Not just in our heads, but with all of our senses switched on and our hearts open

- MAREE LOWES, ISSUE 44

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  • If you're keen to get your hands on Issue 44 (which is our lovely new look mag with extra pages), be sure to head to your local stockist to grab your copy!⁠ ⁠ In this issue we speak to actress and changemaker Maree Lowes about harnessing the power of storytelling as a vehicle for change; delve into the murky world of ‘greener’ plastics; meet a photographer who’s celebrating the beauty of real skin; and explore ways you can sync with nature for a happier and healthier life. Plus you’ll find tips for reducing food waste, ugly animals, sustainable swimwear and so much more!⁠ ⁠ #peppermintmagazine #sustainablefashion #ethicalfashion #naturalbeauty #socialenterprise #regeneration #socialimpact #climatechange #handmade #bodypositivity #giveback #worldchangers
  • Ever wondered how much it would cost to prevent climate change? According to the @abcnews_au, the average Australian would happily add $200 every year to a hypothetical ‘save the climate’ kitty – and that adds up to some pretty world-changing results (a cool $4 billion dollars’ worth, to be exact).⁠ ⁠ Their nifty graphic shows you exactly what we could achieve if we all pitched in for the planet. So what does four billion bucks get you? Well, we could give rooftop solar to one million houses a year, which means every single Australian house could have a solar system within the next decade.⁠ ⁠ Or we could invest $4,000 per house on energy-saving measures to shrink our greenhouse gas emissions and our power bills (what’s not to love about that?). Or we could subsidise electric cars so they become a cheaper option than their petrol-guzzling counterparts.⁠ ⁠ Bravo to the ABC for creating this graphic – head over there now to check out this interactive story and hear more from experts such as Richard Denniss, Chief Economist for the Australia Institute, Professor Mark Howden, Vice Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), and Anna Skarbek, former banker and CEO of Climate Works Australia.⁠ ⁠ ⁠ #peppermintmagazine #climatecrisis #climatechange #solar #solarpanels #renewableenergy #abc #australia⁠
  • Purple plaid pattern goals! We 💜 this make of our #peppermintmaxidress - our latest free downloadable pattern created in collaboration with Lauren from @elbe_textiles. . From @little_house_seamstress: “And some more Peppermint Maxi Dress loving!!! . . I’ve had a few messages today asking if this pattern is suitable for a beginner. I think it’s totally perfect!!! It’s such an easy fitting dress that has so many lovely, skill building features! It’s a great way to learn beautiful seam finishes and the instructions are so detailed and clearly illustrated! And it’s SOOOOO lovely to wear!!!! You should DEFINITELY make it!!!” . Dress: @elbe_textiles X @peppermintmagazine #peppermintmaxidress (FREE PATTERN!) Coat: @elbe_textiles #somerfieldcoat (BUY IT!!!) Top: @elbe_textiles #carinetee (FREE PATTERN!!!) Bag: @allwellworkshop #allwellfullmoonbag (FREE PATTERN!!!) Photos: so lovingly captured by @ketakiijewsonbrown. . #sewistsofinstagram #duckfeetshoes #plaid #alltheplaid #plaidonplaid #imakemyclothes #diyootd #createeveryday #peppermintpatterns
  • “The bad thing about climate change is that it affects everything. But the one thing we’ve got, is that it affects everything. So anything that anybody does, their job, the community they live in, the organisations they’re part of, can be connected in some way to climate change.... You can take the life you live now, and put climate change on it, and there’s your power. You’re already powerful - as a teacher, or a pharmacist or whatever else. And then how do you make that really genuine connection to the life that you live, and what needs to happen with climate change? It can be done.” Rebecca Huntley’s (@rjhuntley) empowering words today at the @ncesummit2020 in Melbourne. . Such an incredible day of education and inspiration - and solutions. As Michael Mann (climatologist and geophysicist, director of the Earth System Science Center at Pennsylvania State University) pointed out, we already have the answers: “Yes our house is on fire, our planet is on fire, but the fire brigade has arrived.” He also stated “yes there is urgency, but there is also agency.” Independent MP @zalisteggall spoke of her new #climateactnow proposed Climate Change Bill. Modelled on the United Kingdom’s Climate Change Act, the legislation will set up a framework for Australia to achieve the long term goal of reducing greenhouse emissions and adapting to global warming across sectors including health, transport, agriculture and energy. Add your name to support the bill at climateactnow.com.au . It’s not too late to register to watch day two (Saturday) online for free - head to the National Climate Emergency Summit website and sign up to listen to this incredible gathering of local and international changemakers and thought leaders. 👊🏼👊🏽👊🏿 . @ncesummit2020 #ncesummit2020 #climateemergency #climateaction #indigenousknowledge #firstnationspeople #ancientwisdom #climatecrisis #makelovenotemissions
  • "Every decision has an impact on something or someone, so we need to own that! Sustainable and ethical practices are a lifestyle choice for us – we know what we do today ripples into the future, so we shop local, buy seasonal, limit our use of plastics and think before we spend, and it's an ethos that flows very naturally into our business. We've always said, 'If we can't create garments ethically and thoughtfully, then we won't do it' – it's that black and white for us. It would be so much cheaper to use 'off-the-roll' blended fabrics that don't contain natural fibres, or to produce in bigger factories where the timeframes are quicker and prices are lower, but it's not an option – we love that the women we're working with set their own timeframes and prices. Like us, they value the craft and time it takes to make beautiful garments."⁠ ⁠ Husband-and-wife team Rachel and Joel Cooper are the creative force behind Frank and Dolly's – a colourful fashion label with empowerment at its core. To read more, pick up a copy of issue 44 online or from your local stockist.⁠ ⁠ @frankanddollys Photo by @atlantabell #frankanddollys #peppermintmagazine #sustainablefashion #ethicalfashion #bettertogether
  • “Food waste, I think if you take a step back and look at it, is really a distribution problem. We have enough food to feed the world currently, how do we redistribute it so that everyone has access to the food and it doesn’t go to waste? Sometimes I hate saying the word waste because it’s not waste, it’s just spare. There have been a lot of initiatives coming out on how we can change the perception on what is the standard for good produce. We’re throwing away all this food that’s perfectly good and nutrient dense and we have people who are starving around the world. It’s unfortunate, but I think there is a lot of movement around changing that narrative.” 🌍⁠ ⁠ @juliesanduski is a designer working at the intersection of food, sustainability and UI/UX working in Seattle as part of the Creative Residency programme with Adobe. We caught up with a few of the @adobe Creative Residents at the Adobe Max Conference in Los Angeles recently. Head to the blog to hear Julie chat about food sharing, chimichurri and why she hates the word waste.⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ #peppermintmagazine #foodwaste #circulareconomy #lowwaste #zerowaste #compost #composting #adobemax #ecotech #adobe #adobecreativeresident