Ecological Justice Hub springs into a busy 2020 - Jesuit Social Services

Ecological Justice Hub volunteers tending one of the Hub’s gardens

Our commitment to ecological justice includes advocacy and research work around the systemic change needed to achieve a ‘just transition’ towards a sustainable future.

We also know that all members of the community can play a role in supporting climate change reduction, environmental recovery and leading more sustainable lives.

That’s why we established our Ecological Justice Hub in Melbourne in 2018. The Hub is a hotbed of activity – on any given day you may stumble across people learning about growing mushrooms or zero waste harvesting, find others promoting beekeeping, wax-making and honey production, or women participating in the Hammertime program that supports the development of carpentry skills and pathways to the trades industry.

“Ecological justice is the term for the interrelation between social and environmental justice – and our hub aims to strengthen community connections, restore our regenerative relationship with nature and build ecological awareness,” says Stuart Muir Wilson, Program Coordinator at the Ecological Justice Hub.

Established in 2018, the Hub runs a range of workshops and training programs to help community members learn new skills and lead more sustainable lives.

This year will see the launch of two new courses Zero Waste: Sustainable Food Systems and Saving Money, Energy and the Environment, to explore the impact of climate change on our food, energy and water systems.

These events follow two ecological justice symposiums facilitated by the Hub in 2018 and 2019, and the current Our Waste discussion series (read more below).

The Hub is also expanding its waste to energy program, with a new composting system and a biogas digester to turn organic matter into valuable gas for heating and cooking.

“We are keen to help build meaningful community connections. The impact the Hub already makes to education, training, employment and skill development is continuing to evolve alongside the garden’s eco-systems,” says Stuart.

Find out more about the Ecological Justice Hub

Making something out of nothing: from bottle tops to tools and wisdom

Most people see discarded bottle caps from milk and soft drink bottles as rubbish. Stuart Muir Wilson, Program Coordinator at our Ecological Justice Hub, sees them as a way to reimagine climate education and climate action in schools.

Aboriginal Diversity Recruitment program graduates have ‘everything needed’ to start careers with Victoria Police

Six graduates who ‘may never have considered’ applying for Victoria Police are a step closer to sitting and passing the Academy’s entrance exam after successfully completing the second-ever Victoria Police Aboriginal Diversity Recruitment Program.

Alliance key to climate justice in the Northern Territory

The Northern Territory is on the frontline of intensifying heat, extreme weather events, and rising sea levels. Remote communities and homelands across the Territory are particularly at risk of these impacts with many Aboriginal communities already facing food insecurity, a lack of safe drinking water and access to reliable, affordable electricity. The Climate Justice Alliance, established in the Territory in 2021, strives towards a just transition - one that focuses on adapting to the impacts of climate change, and on the alternative economic futures needed to ensure justice for people and planet.

Neighbourhood houses building climate resilience and community connections

In the city of Darebin, nestled in the inner north of Melbourne, there are many community members who experience multiple forms of disadvantage and are vulnerable to the impacts of heat. As extreme weather events become more frequent, the Centre for Just Places is working closely with communities like Darebin, to build climate resilience. The Centre empowers them to cope with the impacts of climate change and to continue thriving as connected, vibrant communities.

School canteens feed curiosity

The Currawong Kitchen school canteen was established in 2020 to provide healthy school snacks, catering, and food hampers to families in the historically disadvantaged and under-serviced area of Mount Druitt. Two school canteens now sit alongside Jesuit Social Services’ affordable grocery stores, Ignite Food Store and Open Pantry, where the parents of school children can shop in a supportive, educational, low-cost setting. As Chandelle, who oversees Jesuit Social Services' food security programs in Western Sydney, explains "We’re different from a typical school canteen. We’re passionate about inspiring children to be curious about what they eat and encourage them to try a variety of healthy foods. We want them to develop their palates and trust their taste."

School work that’s out of the box

Ignatius Learning Centre students wrap their hands before boxing class. Teacher Nick Porter describes this as a “beautiful moment”. “It is a calming place – a time to clear their heads and set goals for the session.“

Nine Yarra neighbourhood houses join forces to strengthen local climate resilience

Nine Yarra neighbourhood houses gathered this week to launch a plan to reduce their environmental footprint and support the local community to adapt to climate change.