Comments for Kathleen Maltzahn http://www.kathleenmaltzahn.com Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:05:01 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7.1 hourly 1 Comment on Postcard from the future - UK’s snowy solar capital by Kathleen http://www.kathleenmaltzahn.com/2009/12/postcard-from-the-future-uks-snowy-solar-capital/comment-page-1/#comment-58 Kathleen Tue, 29 Dec 2009 22:05:16 +0000 http://www.kathleenmaltzahn.com/?p=272#comment-58 I know I'm biased, but I'd say, enough Greens councillors to make it happen (which I suspect is 5 out of the 9 Yarra councillors). Of course, in the UK, local councillors are somewhere between our state and local governments. Things like a good feed in tariff, putting solar panels on public housing are things the state government could (and should) do. So, again, (as I say, with my bias), I think what we need to make Yarra and the surrounding areas a model Australian city is enough Greens MPs to be able to make a difference. All of which means more people voting Greens. I know it sounds like the sort of thing you'd expect from someone running for parliament, but I think things like this are in the end decided at the ballot box - if people really seriously indicate their desire for Melbourne to be more like the Copenhagen and Huddersfields of this world, in terms of sustainable transport and energy, I think we'd see more of it. Thanks for your comment. I know I’m biased, but I’d say, enough Greens councillors to make it happen (which I suspect is 5 out of the 9 Yarra councillors). Of course, in the UK, local councillors are somewhere between our state and local governments. Things like a good feed in tariff, putting solar panels on public housing are things the state government could (and should) do. So, again, (as I say, with my bias), I think what we need to make Yarra and the surrounding areas a model Australian city is enough Greens MPs to be able to make a difference. All of which means more people voting Greens. I know it sounds like the sort of thing you’d expect from someone running for parliament, but I think things like this are in the end decided at the ballot box - if people really seriously indicate their desire for Melbourne to be more like the Copenhagen and Huddersfields of this world, in terms of sustainable transport and energy, I think we’d see more of it.

Thanks for your comment.

]]> Comment on ‘And yes, people do get angry’ by Kathleen http://www.kathleenmaltzahn.com/2009/12/%e2%80%98and-yes-people-do-get-angry%e2%80%99-or-%e2%80%98as-our-mothers-used-to-say-there%e2%80%99s-no-bad-weather-only-bad-clothing%e2%80%99/comment-page-1/#comment-57 Kathleen Tue, 29 Dec 2009 21:58:32 +0000 http://www.kathleenmaltzahn.com/?p=264#comment-57 Yes, it's striking isn't it. I was impressed in the UK to see Fair Trade stickers on the sort of shops that in Australia you just wouldn't expect to see them, and, as you say, the PT transport. I'm in Paris now, and a few times we've decided not to get on trains when they've looked a bit full, because we can be absolutely confident there will be another in 3 minutes. The arguments about Australia being different from Europe re density are refuted well by the PTUA, on their site http://www.ptua.org.au/myths/. Thanks for your comment! Yes, it’s striking isn’t it. I was impressed in the UK to see Fair Trade stickers on the sort of shops that in Australia you just wouldn’t expect to see them, and, as you say, the PT transport. I’m in Paris now, and a few times we’ve decided not to get on trains when they’ve looked a bit full, because we can be absolutely confident there will be another in 3 minutes. The arguments about Australia being different from Europe re density are refuted well by the PTUA, on their site http://www.ptua.org.au/myths/. Thanks for your comment!

]]> Comment on ‘And yes, people do get angry’ by Carmen http://www.kathleenmaltzahn.com/2009/12/%e2%80%98and-yes-people-do-get-angry%e2%80%99-or-%e2%80%98as-our-mothers-used-to-say-there%e2%80%99s-no-bad-weather-only-bad-clothing%e2%80%99/comment-page-1/#comment-52 Carmen Mon, 21 Dec 2009 05:42:13 +0000 http://www.kathleenmaltzahn.com/?p=264#comment-52 When I was in Sweden in May, and Austria in October 2008, I was amazed by the excellent transport options available, bikes for hire on every corner; trains to set your watch by, not to mention the organic, Fair-trade sugar, coffee, tea and chocolate in every cafe; even in 7 Eleven. Sadly, people in Australia readily accept common justifications such as 'we have a small population, and too much space for the type of public transport you see in Europe'. I was explaining to a colleague from the Netherlands the other day that there has been no new train or tram line added on my side of town (North West) since I was a child, and I'm in my late 30s, she was shocked. 750 Million would be a great start, even to get a bike lane on Lygon Street, and other major arteries going in and out of town. When I was in Sweden in May, and Austria in October 2008, I was amazed by the excellent transport options available, bikes for hire on every corner; trains to set your watch by, not to mention the organic, Fair-trade sugar, coffee, tea and chocolate in every cafe; even in 7 Eleven. Sadly, people in Australia readily accept common justifications such as ‘we have a small population, and too much space for the type of public transport you see in Europe’. I was explaining to a colleague from the Netherlands the other day that there has been no new train or tram line added on my side of town (North West) since I was a child, and I’m in my late 30s, she was shocked. 750 Million would be a great start, even to get a bike lane on Lygon Street, and other major arteries going in and out of town.

]]> Comment on Postcard from the future - UK’s snowy solar capital by Anne Holmes http://www.kathleenmaltzahn.com/2009/12/postcard-from-the-future-uks-snowy-solar-capital/comment-page-1/#comment-50 Anne Holmes Sun, 20 Dec 2009 19:45:14 +0000 http://www.kathleenmaltzahn.com/?p=272#comment-50 This is a great story What would it take to make Yarra an Australian model city in just this way? This is a great story What would it take to make Yarra an Australian model city in just this way?

]]> Comment on Fair is worth fighting for by jim jay http://www.kathleenmaltzahn.com/2009/12/fair-is-worth-fighting-for/comment-page-1/#comment-39 jim jay Wed, 16 Dec 2009 12:02:16 +0000 http://www.kathleenmaltzahn.com/?p=239#comment-39 To follow up on what G is saying - over the last twenty years the number of people employed directly by councils has massively dropped compared to those services they 'out source' to private companies. In Lewisham much of this privatisation of essential services (like repairs and maintainence of council housing) is now in the hands of private companies where there is precious little democratic control over them. In that context it's really important that fair wages go to all workers, not just the ones directly employed by the council. The London Living Wage is such a fantastic policy in a city that's blighted by low pay and poverty. It makes me proud to be a green. To follow up on what G is saying - over the last twenty years the number of people employed directly by councils has massively dropped compared to those services they ‘out source’ to private companies.

In Lewisham much of this privatisation of essential services (like repairs and maintainence of council housing) is now in the hands of private companies where there is precious little democratic control over them.

In that context it’s really important that fair wages go to all workers, not just the ones directly employed by the council. The London Living Wage is such a fantastic policy in a city that’s blighted by low pay and poverty. It makes me proud to be a green.

]]> Comment on Fair is worth fighting for by G http://www.kathleenmaltzahn.com/2009/12/fair-is-worth-fighting-for/comment-page-1/#comment-37 G Wed, 09 Dec 2009 09:44:40 +0000 http://www.kathleenmaltzahn.com/?p=239#comment-37 Actually, Adrian Ramsay's statement needs updating: the Lewisham Green Group's campaign has been successful, not just 'proposed'. The LLW was already paid to direct employees of the council, but the council now includes the London Living Wage as a consideration when inviting contractors to bid for tenders. The most recent group to benefit are gardeners / groundskeepers. Lewisham is the first borough in London - and possibly the country - to have implemented such a policy. Actually, Adrian Ramsay’s statement needs updating: the Lewisham Green Group’s campaign has been successful, not just ‘proposed’. The LLW was already paid to direct employees of the council, but the council now includes the London Living Wage as a consideration when inviting contractors to bid for tenders. The most recent group to benefit are gardeners / groundskeepers. Lewisham is the first borough in London - and possibly the country - to have implemented such a policy.

]]> Comment on Fair is worth fighting for by Carmen http://www.kathleenmaltzahn.com/2009/12/fair-is-worth-fighting-for/comment-page-1/#comment-36 Carmen Tue, 08 Dec 2009 23:12:36 +0000 http://www.kathleenmaltzahn.com/?p=239#comment-36 Really enjoying this blog Kathleen; thanks for sharing this information... Really enjoying this blog Kathleen; thanks for sharing this information…

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