Lessons from Sydney (green city guides)
Just as other countries can learn from England (cottage gardens, animal welfare, London transport), there are many areas of life that we can learn from other countries. This series of posts looks at what’s best about fellow countries (and cities) to see what we can be inspired by, in our own country.
Sydney is one of the world’s most beautiful cities, although as it’s on the other side of the world, most of us will never visit. It’s also Australia’s oldest city, founded in 1788. Although we often see the opera house as the main ‘site’, it’s actually home to over 70 beaches (popular with sustainable surfers) and the world’s largest natural harbour). The third largest harbour in the world is Poole, in Dorset!
People respect the hot sun
You won’t find Aussies baking out in the sun, without proper protection. They slip on a shirt, don a sunhat and slap on some high-factor sunscreen. Read more on natural sun protection (which also helps to protect Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, by avoiding nano chemicals).
Wash off sunscreen before letting pets kiss you, as most contains toxic zinc oxide. Never use human sunscreens on pets.
People respect local shark populations
In England, the media often have a negative reaction if there is a shark attack. But in fact, toasters kill more people, and endangered sharks are an important part of the ecosystem (Steve Backshall calls them ‘the lions of the oceans’).
Most shark attacks are usually due to the sharks mistaking a long white shimmering surfboard for a fish (we are not their natural diet). That’s why tragic attacks are usually due to blood loss from a bite on the leg, the shark does not eat a whole human.
Protect endangered sharks, they do not deserve the persecution from shark fin soup and people buying shark teeth etc. Also learn how to help England’s harmless basking sharks.
It learns about and respects spiders
Just like sharks, Sydney is home to the world’s most venomous spider (funnel web), so it pays to know how to avoid it for people and pets. Australia has over 2000 species, but this is the most dangerous.
Aussies humanely avoid them, shaking out shoes, clothes and wetsuits before putting them on, not leaving towels and clothes on the floor, and wearing shoes outside.
They also know first aid advice to go through if bitten (there is now an anti-venom so there have been no deaths since 1981).
In England, we have no venomous spiders, and most do a grand job inside eating up mites and insects. So leave them alone if you can (or place a towel over the bath to let them climb out, if you can’t do the ‘glass and card’ trick to move it to a safe place (most indoor spiders can’t survive outside). Read more on how to help England’s cute spiders).
Birthplace of the Granny Smith apple
Most of us like a crunchy Granny Smith apple, and it was first cultivated in Sydney, back in 1868. Look in farmers’ markets and farm shops for organic versions, as most apples sold in groceries are not local and are covered in shellac (insect wax) to make them shiny.
Apple chunks are choking hazards for babies and people with swallowing difficulties. Keep apple pips/seeds/cores away from pets due to natural cyanide.
Ask permission before feeding to equines, as too many cause colic. If given permission, feed cut up from a flat palm, to prevent choking).
