Zero Emissions Solutions teamed up with Take 3 for the Sea, Mosman Council and environment conservation community groups for the Balmoral Seaside Scavenge in September. Take 3 is known all over Australia for its educational programs that teach people about the problem of plastic pollution and inspire them to take action to protect the ocean.
The event showcased local waste-wise and environmentally conscious initiatives while entertaining with music, face painting and art, and nourishing us with pedal-powered smoothies! We were delighted to participate in this fun, family-friendly day to share information about how to reduce emissions and protect our beautiful local environment.
We had a great lineup of Electric Vehicles – Tesla and Hyundai – along with their enthusiastic owners who could talk till the cows come home to anyone who wanted to know about EVs. There was a lot of interest from young and old, the curious and the skeptical.
If bicycles are more your thing Lug+Carrie had a selection of eBikes available to try out. Whether it’s for your daily commute or getting the kids to school, these eBikes make cycling a breeze and are designed to carry your kids or your shopping or your laptop.
With sunshine and blue skies, Balmoral Beach was at its beautiful best. A great day made possible with our brilliant team of volunteers.
Thank you to our largest volunteer crew ever: Louise, Michael, Fay, Tony, Narween, Jenni Chris, Gill, Alan, Adrienne, Milo, Leesa, Leon, Kate, Ann-Charlott, Ursula, Daryl, with Marieken organising us, plus Neroli from Lug+Carrie doing Tern e-cargo bike test rides!
Zero Emissions Schools Network had the honour of being the recipient of a Mosman Community Grant for 22/23 for the second year in a row! This funding means the Zero Emissions Schools Network will be able to continue providing all the schools in the Mosman LGA with quarterly meetings, newsletters and one on one consulting.
The Network is a great space to have schools collaborate, share and learn more ways they can become more sustainable. Thank you to Mosman Council and Mayor Corrigan for your ongoing support of the program.
The ZESN Schools Network has been awarded the Mosman Community Grant for the second year in a row.
The energy and passion to become more environmentally sustainable is a delight to behold and the program highlights the value of networking together for a positive outcome.
Mayor Carolyn Corrigan, Mosman Municipal Council
About the ZESN Schools Program
The Zero Emissions Schools Program was designed and developed by Jenni Hagland (Program Leader), with Ursula Hogben (Co-Founder), in consultation with Loani Tierney, Environment Education Officer, Mosman Council.
Thank you for your interest! With electricity prices and petrol prices rising we enjoyed discussions with over 100 people and families keen to save money and reduce emissions.
Net Zero Information Stall
Solar and Net Zero House, Strata, Businesses and Schools Info and Q&A
Marieken, Louise, Narween, Kate and Jane answered many questions and gave out our Guides on ways to reduce emissions and save money on bills. We love explaining that you can approx halve your household emissions simply by switching to a renewable energy company! Find out more
We ask would you like to save money on energy bills for 25+ years? We had many discussions about rooftop solar. Costs have come down, prices are from approx $1k per kW. Warranties have gone up, some panels have 25+ year warranties. Solar can repay your investment in as little as 3 years, and provide you with free renewable energy for many more. We have guidance, case studies and videos for Solar My House, Solar My Strata and Solar My Business.
Louise & Marieken our stall leaders
Answering your questions
Ready to help with guides and prizes
Net Zero Q&A and information with Marieken, Louise, Narween, Kate and Jane. Thank you also to stall set up and pack up crew Michael and Douglas
Electric cars display and Q&A
Q&A about Hyundai Ioniq 5, Tesla Model 3 and Toyota Corolla Hatchback
Our car owners David, Milo, Narween and Alan answered many questions about electric cars, range, features and charging at home and out and about. It was a cold day and Ursula and Narween were glad to make Ioniq-powered-Ecoffee and tea for guests.
Our next car will be electric, it’s great to see options and sizes, hear what it’s like to own one, and understand what real life range is like and how often we need to charge, thank you – David & Felicity
Hyundai Ioniq 5 SUV is an electric SUV with a 72.6kWh battery and approx 450 km of range, charging to 80% in approx 18 minutes at a fast charger.
Tesla Model 3 Sedan is an electric sedan with a 62.3kWh battery and approx 450 km of range, charging to 80% in approx 20 minutes at a fast charger (Standard Range model).
Toyota Corolla Hatchback is a hybrid with an electric motor and a petrol engine, giving greater fuel efficiency and with less emissions than a petrol only car.
EV display and Q&A
EV display with Tesla 3
EV display with Hyundai Ioniq 5
EV display with Toyota Corolla
E-Coffee with Gill, David and Chris
E-Coffee with Narween and Ursula
EV Display and E tea and coffee with David, Milo, Narween, Alan and Ursula
Electric bike conversion workshop
How to convert your push bike to an electric bike
Chris and Gill brought their E-bikes and answered many questions about speed, range and price. Chris converted his pushbike into an E-bike using a DIY Swytch E Bike conversion kit and explained how easy this is to do.
The E-bike conversion kit looks small and easy, a great option for people that have a bike and want the option of electric assistance – Michael
Chris and E-bike conversion
E-Bike display
Gill, Chris & guests
Chris, Gill, guests and E-Bikes
What’s next?
Our next Info Day and EV Display is in September, let us know if you’d like to be part of our volunteer crew. we provide a T-shirt and coffee 🙂
If you can’t come along, you can access all of our info online, and you can pledge your low carbon switches and win a signed copy of Saul Griffith’s new book The Big Switch here.
After a nutty first six months of the year for Zero Emissions Solutions the idea was to slow things down a little in July and August.
Hmm. About that… Here’s how the diary ended up looking.
July 20: Solar My House Webinar, with David Veal of Solarpro (recording here)
July 19: Mosman Council delivers our Sustainable Living Guide to 30,000 households
August 3: Mosman Council Climate Action Community Committee
August 4: Zero Emissions Schools Network – Mosman, hosted by Beauty Point Public School
August 5: Solar My House Webinar, with Ruth Irwin of Mosman Council (recording here)
August 17: Ann-Charlott spoke with Nigel Howard and Joeline Hackman of War on Waste Northern Beaches, discussing what local residents can do to reduce emissions (recording here)
Representatives from Zero Emissions Solutions also attended seminars and meetings with (in no particular order) Vote Earth Now, Infinite Australia, AEVA, Groundswell, BZE Renewable Industrial Precincts, the Climate Council, 350.org, 1millionwomen and C4C. In particular, we recommend Professor Lesley Hughes briefing on the IPCC report, in conjunction with Australian Parents For Climate.
We worked with Arnies Recon to launch free EWaste Community Collection days for the Northern Beaches including Avalon 2 Sept, Dee Why 9 Sept, Manly 13 Sept, Mosman 16 Sept.
Finally, we continue to work with Clean Energy for Eternity on a major project to create an urban renewable energy zone – watch this space!
So you’re interested in volunteering? In doing something meaningful and fun? In working with dynamic and inspiring people?
We’d love to have you.
Zero Emissions Solutions is an all-volunteer run community organisation working in Mosman and the Northern Beaches LGAs. We’re all about practical ways to take action on climate: things we can do that will have a real impact. No-one is going to solve the climate crisis on their own. Working together for zero emissions has to be the way forward.
Where to start?
Choose from a range of activities to match your skills and/or interests.
Solar My House is Zero Emissions Solutions flagship program. We’ve run over 30 events since 2019, reaching more than 300 households, creating guides, videos and case studies, and attending forums, local expos and online events. We’re always looking for people who are passionate about rooftop solar to get involved with organising events and taking this exciting program forward. You don’t need special skills, just enthusiasm for making a difference. If you can help, please contact Ann Charlott.
Zero Emissions Homes working group meets regularly and creates resources to save energy and emissions at home. They produce Council/LGA specific Sustainable Living Guides, the first was the Mosman Sustainable Living Guide provided to Mosman LGA’s 30,000 residents in mid 2021. They promote switching and supporting renewable energy to approx. halve household emissions. They also look at sustainable solutions including new house design, renovations, appliances, pools and policy. If you are interested in ecosmart retrofits, building trends and energy savings, please email Ursula on electric@zeroemissionssolutions.org
Out and about
The Zero Emissions Markets team launched our first market stall at Mosman in October last year. Since then, they’ve held 7 events. In 2022, their sights are set on exploring markets in the Northern Beaches. It’s a fun opportunity to meet like-minded volunteers and to have meaningful conversations with the local community. No experience required, just a big smile and an hour or two of your time! If you’re interested, please contact Lesley.
Our youngest volunteer, Theo, demonstrates how to measure household energy consumption.Mosman Markets group: Louise, Lesley, Fay
Zero Emissions Schools is run by Jenni Hagland and Liz Migliorini. They are responsible for the guides on our Schools page and they convene the Zero Emissions Schools Network (Mosman). If you’re involved in education, or if you’ve got school age children and want to get your school involved in sustainability, they would be keen to hear from you. Lots to do, from researching resources to project managing events. Please email Jenni on schools@zeroemissionssolutions.org
Worksheets to download Zero Emissions Schools Network Mosman: Mosman Public
Zoom zoom
Zero Emissions Transport is run by Ursula and the Zero Emissions Transport working group. They’ve put together great resources and guides to help electrify your transport on our Electric Vehicles and Electric Bikes pages. They’ve reached over 250 households with Zero Emissions Transport info sessions, and held 7 E-Transport Markets show and tells with electric cars, bikes, scooters and motorcycles. They’ve investigated second hand EVs, hosted a test-drive day, compiled a report on Councils installing chargers, and are creating case studies on many EVs. If you have an EV or are interested in EVs, and would like to be involved, please email Ursula on electric@zeroemissionssolutions.org
Zero Emissions Transport: E-ScooterGood storage space!
And finally…
If you’re good with words, pictures, sounds, and any other form of story-telling, Harriet wants your help. She puts together the newsletter, website, this blog, marketing materials, and tries to keep up with social media. If you’re an introvert who wants to save the world, or a wordpress genius, if you’re an instagram maven or a budding film maker, a demon proof reader or someone who just likes a yarn, just say hello to Harriet on hello@zeroemissionssolutions.org
We look forward to hearing from you!
Students and teachers from Beauty Point Public School played host for the third meeting of the Zero Emissions Schools Network (Mosman) on August 4rd. With greater Sydney in lockdown, it had to be online but, thanks to some video magic, we still got a tour around the school’s environmental trail.
The trail takes you past the vegetable gardens, with built-in watering systems, the cosy home for stingless native bees, the worm farm and the birds and bees highway.
The BPPS Green Team was launched in 2020. They have many ideas for improving sustainability around the school. The school has a water tank and it installed solar panels in October 2020 with assistance from Solar My School. Some of the students’ favourite activities are tree planting and biodiversity initiatives such as the birds and bees highway. Last year grants from Greening Australia and Sustainable Schools have funded planting including 6 large trees and 150 small tubestock trees.
The most colourful sustainability initiative is their rainbow lorikeet mural, which brightens up the playground while reducing UV reflection.
You have all achieved so much. I love what the schools are doing and proposing. Our schools and children are key to getting our community onboard and meeting our net zero target.
Mayor Corrigan
All Mosman Schools were represented at the meeting. It was a great opportunity to exchange ideas and cheer each other on. Thank you, Beauty Point Public School, for hosting, and for giving us a wonderful virtual tour. We look forward to our next meeting on 27 October at Sacred Heart, Mosman.
For more information on family friendly sustainability tips check out Zero Emissions Schools on our website or contact Jenni Hagland, Program Leader. Interested in a school network in your area? Get in touch!
Learning outside is much more fun
Back to zoom!
Planting trees and tube stock
Schools working together is inspiring, as a group of 30 teachers, administrators and students discovered on May 19. Mosman Public School was host for the second meeting of the Zero Emissions Schools Network — Mosman. It was a lively and productive discussion.
Year 5/6 teacher, Kate Leary, and four members of Mosman Public School’s Sustainability Club, presented on their sustainability initiatives. These include rooftop solar and vegetable beds. Then students from the other schools working together gave updates on their own initiatives.
The range of ideas is inspiring: native bee hives, waste-free lunch days, vertical wall gardens, and auditing electricity usage with the Climate Clever app are just a few of the actions students are taking to reduce emissions.
Loani Tierney (Mosman Council) & Kate Leary(Mosman Public School) gave a presentation on worm farms and composting.
Beauty Point Public School will host the third meeting on August 4.
The Zero Emissions Schools Network – Mosman involves all eight schools in Mosman local government area, plus Cammeray Public School in North Sydney. If you are interested in creating a sustainability group at your school or a Zero Emissions Network in your LGA, the Zero Emissions Solutions Schools page has a great range of resources to get you started. Jenni is also available for one-on-one consultations and you can contact her via schools@zeroemissionssolutions.org.au.
Last Saturday we had electric cars, an electric motorbike, electric bicycles and electric scooters on display. Some were available to test drive as well (scooters and motorbikes for those with a licence).
Commuter bike? No problemNot ready for a test drive yet.Thomas’s customised Zero S Bike
Huge thanks to the Zero Emissions market team volunteers at our stall, the Zero Emissions transport volunteers with cars and bikes, and to Eat my dust Scooters and Energy Electric Bikes.
Hyundai Kona, E-Bike and Tesla Model 3Eat My Dust E-Scooters
Come and visit our next market on May 1 to see the latest in smart and fun ways to reduce your emissions.
You can also meet our friendly volunteers then make a pledge to reduce your emissions. We’ll do our best to answer all your questions about rooftop solar and reducing emissions together.
If you want to explore electric wheels before May 1 why not:
School Principals gathered for the first meeting of Zero Emissions Schools Network – Mosman on February 17. Eight schools from Mosman LGA were represented, plus Cammaray Public School (North Sydney LGA).
Mosman Mayor Carolyn Corrigan welcomed the schools, along with Jenni Hagland, team leader for Zero Emissions Schools, Ursula Hogben, co-founder of Zero Emissions Solutions, and the Mosman Council Sustainability team.
Jenni says:
The energy and enthusiasm was great to see. It was so interesting to hear what every school is doing and find out their motivation for joining the group.
The next meeting of Zero Emissions Schools Network – Mosman LGA will be hosted at Mosman Public School on 19th May. I hope to get a speaker in to talk to the group about school composting and worm farms. This ties in with Mosman Public School because they have just got their gardens going and are working on composting at the moment.
Jenni is launching a regular email newsletter to the group, with news of grants, events and other relevant information. Jenni, Ursula and our team have built an information hub with information, case studies, how-to guides and resources at Zero Emissions Schools. Look out for how-to guides on reducing waste and installing solar.
If you are interested in creating a sustainability group at your school the Zero Emissions Solutions Schools page has a great range of resources to get you started. Jenni is available for one-on-one consultations and you can contact her via schools@zeroemissionssolutions.org.au. Councils can also contact us if Council is interested in a Zero Emissions Schools Network for your LGA.
The pictures tell the story. In just a year, Zero Emissions Solutions has held more than 20 Solar My House parties and webinars, two Electric Vehicle webinars and a Solar Open House day. Our volunteers have attended Mosman markets, delivered flyers and hosted parties. After lengthy research, we have partnered with two businesses with renewable energy at their core.
We’ve built a core group of volunteers and found friends and colleagues across local government and not-for-profit organisations. We’ve won two grants and helped people put more than $250,000 worth of solar panels on houses in the Northern region of Sydney. This is roughly equivalent to planting nearly 5000 trees, or saving of nearly 2 million kilometres of fossil-fuelled driving!
All that remains is to say thank you to all the brilliant people and organisations who have walked alongside, including:
Our Advisory Team and all the individuals and businesses who have said ‘yes, sure, what can I do?’ And last but definitely not least, a heartfelt thanks to all our amazing volunteers, many of whom star in the video.
We are a not-for-profit association of volunteers working across the Northern Beaches and the North Shore. We operate as part of the national Beyond Zero Emissions network. Our focus is on practical projects that will accelerate our transition to net zero emissions.
