Sustainability in Action - Thought Does Take Action
Stockholm is home to one of the world's most famous eco-neighbourhoods, Hammarby Sjöstad. But does it really offer a template for green urban living that can be replicated in other fast-growing cities?
Construction started in the late 1990s and it's currently home to about 25,000 residents. Its reputation for sustainability comes from the way it handles energy, water and waste - initially designed to cut the environmental impact by 50% compared to a typical suburb - and its goal of maintaining green habits among residents. Circular Economy
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The BBC's Circular Economy series highlights the ways we are designing systems to reduce the waste modern society generates, by reusing and repurposing products. All the apartments are made from raw materials designed to provide maximum insulation during Sweden's winters. Gas and electricity come from a range of renewable sources including solar panels and biogas.Some of the biogas is extracted from sewage sludge from the area's water treatment plant, where rainwater, storm water and melt water from snow and ice are processed locally.
Residents sort their rubbish into categories and put it in outdoor chutes which suck the waste underground to a central storage point. Combustible waste is burned and turned into further biogas powering some of the city's buses.
Public transport, including wide cycle lanes and wooden boulevards hugging the water's edge, a tram line, buses and a free ferry service, is designed to discourage commuting by car. Commonly cited reasons for its success include Stockholm's relative wealth compared to other cities, and an ongoing nationwide focus on green issues. Sweden's latest goal is to become a net zero greenhouse gas emitter by 2040, with Hammarby Sjöstad aiming to get there by 2030.There has also been a much higher degree of co-operation here, between different state agencies and private companies, than in previous projects.
"It was the first project in Stockholm where the city planners, real estate agents, traffic agency, water company, environmental and health administration worked together in one office," says Gunnar Söderholm, Stockholm's environmental health director, who has worked on the initiative in various roles since its inception.
While "it wasn't easy", he says being in such close proximity helped them tackle disagreements and "created a new model for city planning, which we still benefit from".
The approach has influenced several other projects, the latest of which is Stockholm Royal Seaport, with plans for at least 12,000 new homes and 35,000 workspaces.
Interested? www.bbc.com...
Poll: When should the tree go up? 🎄
From what we've heard, some Christmas trees are already being assembled and decorated.
What are your thoughts on the best time to get your Christmas tree up?
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4.9% Second half of November
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44.6% 1st December
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17% A week before Christmas
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32.3% Whenever you wish
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1.1% Other - I'll share below
What's your favourite tomato recipe?
Kia ora neighbours. We know your tomato plants are still growing, but we're looking ahead to the harvest already! If you've got a family recipe for tomatoes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine to share with our readers. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our February 2025 issue.
The Honest Disciple in New Zealand - Day 4
In a picturesque valley of New Zealand, nestled between the rolling hills of the South Island, there lived a farmer named Hemi. Hemi was a humble man, known throughout his village for his hard work and deep faith in the teachings of the local Māori elders. Each time a renowned elder, Te Rongo, passed by his farm, Hemi would bow respectfully and greet him. He admired Te Rongo’s wisdom, and like any good disciple, Hemi believed in following his guidance without question.
One sunny afternoon, as Te Rongo walked along the edge of Hemi’s farm, he saw the farmer kneeling by his crops. The golden fields of wheat, flax, and vegetables stretched across the land, but one particular crop stood out—Hemi had been growing kumara (sweet potatoes), a staple of the Māori diet.
Te Rongo, noticing that the kumara plants were still small, only just beginning to sprout, stopped to speak with Hemi. “Why do you always bow before me when I pass, Hemi?” Te Rongo asked kindly, his eyes twinkling with wisdom. “Do you truly listen to my guidance, even when it seems difficult?”
Without hesitation, Hemi replied, “Yes, Te Rongo. I will always follow your words, no matter what they are.”
Te Rongo smiled and glanced over the field of young kumara. “Cut them now,” he instructed, pointing at the small plants. “If you wait, they will be ruined when the storms arrive.”
Hemi was taken aback. His kumara had only just begun to grow, and he knew it was too early to harvest. However, he trusted Te Rongo’s wisdom. “I will do as you say,” he answered.
When Hemi returned home, his wife, Aroha, was worried. “The kumara are not ready yet, Hemi,” she said. “If we cut them now, we may not have enough for ourselves in the coming months.”
Hemi reassured her and went to the farm to gather the crop. Yet, before he could do so, the neighboring landowner, Te Awhina, approached him with a stern look. “Hemi, I understand you are going to cut your kumara,” she said. “But you know that I have a share in your harvest this season. If you cut your crop now, I’ll need to ensure you’re following through on our agreement. We made a deal for two full harvests from your farm.”
Te Awhina insisted that Hemi sign a written agreement, guaranteeing her two full yields in exchange for allowing him to proceed. Hemi signed without hesitation, trusting in the wisdom of Te Rongo’s advice.
Days passed, and a great storm rolled in from the sea, battering the region with heavy rains and strong winds. Farmers across the valley, including those who had ignored Te Rongo’s counsel, watched helplessly as their crops were destroyed. But Hemi’s early harvest of kumara fared much better. Because he had listened to Te Rongo’s guidance, his crops were safe, and he found that they were even more abundant than he had expected.
When the storm had passed, Hemi’s fields were full of plump, healthy kumara, much more than he could use alone. True to his nature, Hemi gave two portions of the harvest to Te Awhina, honoring their agreement. The rest, he divided into six portions. Six portions went to those in the community who had lost everything in the storm—widows, elders, and struggling families.
Months later, as Te Rongo walked by Hemi’s farm once more, Hemi ran to meet him, eager to share the news of his good fortune. He had helped the community and was thriving in his own way, all thanks to Te Rongo’s guidance. As Hemi fell to his knees, ready to express his gratitude, Te Rongo spoke before he could.
“You have done well, Hemi,” said Te Rongo, his voice filled with warmth. “You were blessed with a bountiful harvest because I knew that you would share your good fortune with others. Your heart is pure, and you have always been honest in your intentions. You gave six portions to those in need, and only kept two for yourself, showing that you understand the true spirit of giving.”
Hemi stood, deeply moved by the elder’s words. “I only did as you instructed, Te Rongo,” he said. “Your wisdom guided me, and my heart could not bear to keep all of it for myself. The people in this village are like my family.”
Te Rongo placed a hand on Hemi’s shoulder and nodded. “That is the heart of an honest disciple—one who listens not just to words, but to the needs of the world around them. You’ve demonstrated that, Hemi. This is why the land has blessed you.”
And so, Hemi continued his farming with a humble heart, sharing not just the fruits of his labor but also the wisdom of Te Rongo. His actions spread through the valley, reminding everyone that true abundance comes not from hoarding, but from sharing with an open heart.
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**Moral:** Just as Hemi trusted the wisdom of his mentor, Te Rongo, and followed through with honesty and compassion, so too must we strive to act with integrity and generosity. In doing so, we not only receive blessings but also help uplift those around us. True discipleship is not in mere obedience, but in the heart's honest desire to serve others.
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