Can we curb our growth obsession – is bigger always better?

When:  World Population Day, Thurs 11th July, 6pm to 07:30pm

Where:  Melbourne, Victoria

New Internationalist Bookshop, Trades Hall

Australia’s Economy is centred on the belief that we need GDP and Population growth for prosperity.  However, GDP tells us nothing about quality of lives, and gives no regard to the depletion or degradation of natural resources.

This event will explore alternative (Non-GDP) models for progress from New Zealand and Costa Rica, and discuss the impacts of population growth on town planning and climate change.

Presentations will be followed by a panel/Q&A sessions, with refreshments including wine and cheese.

This event is open to all members of the public

Event Speakers

Kelvin Thompson (Event MC)

Kelvin is a former Federal MP and President of Sustainable Population Australia (Vic/Tas).  He is passionate about the environment, and supports ‘population reform’  to ensure a more sustainable future for Australia.

Bronwyn Plarre

Bronwyn is an activist who has worked with the Climate Guardians & Galilee Blockade among other groups. She is an active member of Urban Coup, an organisation that is focused on community based resilience.

Mark Allen

Mark is a former planner and environmental campaigner who co-founded Population Permaculture and Planning and started the holistic activism movement to promote less conflict and more critical thinking into activism.

Michael Bayliss

Michael is the Communications Manager for Sustainable Population Australia. He is a long term grassroots environmental activist, with a particular interest in post-growth societies.

This is a free public event with limited seating capacity (40 people). This event is in recognition of world population day and the event has been facilitated by the Victorian and Tasmanian branch of Sustainable Population Australia.  However, this event serves to promote a diversity of views and perspectives on the the topics of post-growth societies and population growth. Therefore, we strongly encourage an environment that mutually respects different opinions.

Thank you to the New Internationalist Bookshop for hosting this event.

Please find link to the Facebook event here