Living Lightly is a collection of local stories about sustainable living.
The column commenced in 2012 and until 2023 was published in the Border Mail newspaper each week.
The content is community sourced – groups, organisations and individuals have written and contributed each of these informative and entertaining articles – all overseen by a local volunteer coordinator.
We are currently considering a monthly schedule for articles, stay tuned as we explore this option.
Here you can browse and search previous articles or subscribe to receive an email each time an article is published.
The Living Lightly coordinator is always keen to receive articles! Use the link below to find out how you can submit an article for the column.
With a big thank you to all the Living Lightly authors for contributing to this wonderful collection of articles.
By Sue Brunskill It may seem insensitive, indulgent or outright rude to talk about gardens when so many people have lost so much, however gardens are much more than a luxury. There is much written about the psychological value of gardens, but they are more important than ever for recovery
By Lauren Salathiel, Chris McGorlick, Kirsten Coates and Richard Nunn (Yackandandah) We’ve just returned from the National Climate Emergency Summit in Melbourne, a meeting of scientists, citizens, activists, Indigenous leaders, politicians across the spectrum, journalists, students and non-government organisations. The common ground among these people was their recognition of the
By Lauriston Muirhead Way back in the 1850s American scientist, Eunice Foote, conducted experiments clearly demonstrating the powerful heating effect of CO2. Her work “Circumstances Affecting the Heat of Sun’s Rays” was published in The American Journal of Science in September 1856. Foote exposed cylinders of the component gases of
By Jonathon Howard Last weekend was World Wetlands Day. I took the opportunity to canoe down the Murray with my kids. We were lucky enough to spot four platypi before we reached Noreuil Park. Our trip also gave me an opportunity to reflect on the health of our wetlands. Wetlands are
By Karen Retra, Wild Pollinator Count Do you provide water for birds and other animals during hot weather? Perhaps a birdbath or shallow dish of water in a shady part of the garden? Don’t forget our insect friends who also appreciate a helping hand. The best way to support flower-feeding
By Stephen Routledge I cry at the lack of understanding there is for our natural world. The millions of Australians living in our cities; this detachment from country. Fear of the burning bush, fear of being alone, fear of being out of touch with the chat, fear of loosing one’s
By Dr Juliette Milbank As I sit here at my desk, with the blind down keeping out the heat, I’m feeling what many are probably feeling: a tightness in my chest and throat, a pervasive feeling of worry and uncertainty. I can forget them sometimes, and I’ll bury myself in
By Lauren Salathiel The climate science is indisputable and it’s writ large across our skies in smoke and embers. Whether your community has been affected by fire, or choked by smoke, what has become clear this week is that we can no longer afford to watch on as our national
By Di Pritchard With summer full on now, drought and fire around us, there is still a way to delight in your garden and connect with other forms of life. Recently I discovered a strange formation on a wind spinner under the grapevine. The culprit is a bird dropping spider
By Chris McGorlick The arrival of a nephew in my family has breathed new energy into our annual family Christmas gathering. His excitement is infectious, and I find myself recalling all the things that I used to love about the yuletide before it became hard work. There was so much
By Graham Parton Ask a group of well-informed people what the major problems of the world are and chances are climate change is going to be on the list. Plastic pollution might also be there too as we become more aware of just how damaging and extensive this problem is.
By Lauren Salathiel Slurping on strawless drinks in reusable cups at our local pub the other night, a friend fired off what sounded like a riddle. “What do you think is one of the biggest contributors to our individual carbon footprints?” she asked. I like to consider myself to be
