We are all implicated, including myself; we are entangled in this extractive capitalistic economy, an economy that beyond a few exceptions is about exploiting earth’s resources with little regard for tomorrow.
Much of the thinking the dominates our city and influences its direction is based what was and what once worked, yes, it’s business as usual.
Success in the 21st Century begins first with shredding those tired 20th Century ideas and imagining new ways to navigate our unfolding future.
Thoughts about that intellectual tragedy and our stodgy imaginations flooded my thinking while sitting through the recent monthly meeting of the City of Greater Shepparton Council.
All nine city councillors sat around the table to decide on a further three years for the staging the SpringNats at the city’s High St showgrounds.
After a short discussion, the council agreed unanimously to see the event, mentioned by the City of Greater Shepparton Mayor Shane Sali as being “iconic”, granted permission for a further three events, that being 2027 through to 2029.
The 2025 SpringNats was held at the showgrounds on the weekend of November 29.
This event, however it is seen, is a celebration of a way of life, yes, business as usual, that is rooted in the 20th Century and doesn’t connect with processes, values and ideas we need to embrace in the 21st Century.
Looked at through a pragmatic lens the event makes absolute sense, as it brings new money to the city, provides entertainment for thousands and gives Shepparton national exposure.
Considered from a purist’s position, the event is misplaced, plunging as back into the dilemma, the way of life that hinges on, and depends upon, the excessive use of fossil fuels, the very thing that has damaged earth’s climate system, leading to extreme weather events around the world.
The City of Greater Shepparton declared a Climate Emergency in 2020 and the SpringNats is outrightly antagonistic to the intent and fundamental purpose of the declaration.
So what does this mean for Shepparton and the broader Goulburn Valley?
A recent Federal Government report, the eighth biennial State of the Climate report, a synthesis of the science underpinning our understanding of Australia’s climate warns us of the challenging times ahead.
It adds: “The severity of impacts on Australians and our environment will depend on the speed at which global greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced”.
Council’s recent decision to extend the use of the city’s show grounds for a fossil fuel intensive event, is a tick of approval for business as usual, and contrary to the intent of the Federal Government warning and, within that, council’s 2020 declaration.
29°C