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Archives for May 2011

Winter Warming Tips

May 26, 2011 @ 15:52 By Gavin Webber 8 Comments

Winter Warming tips

Now that natural gas prices are up, petrol prices are up, and electricity prices are up, it won’t be too long before you and I see these rises on our energy bills. What can we do to keep warm and where possible save a little money, some valuable resources and greenhouse gas emissions this winter?

Try these winter warming tips to keep warm and reduce your costs.

Use the Sun – Passive Heating

Passive solar heating can be utilised in most homes. Where you have north facing windows and it is a sunny day, open up the blinds or curtains and let the sun in. You will be amazed at the amount of warmth that the sun can deliver in winter. Just before the sun sets at night, close the curtains to keep the heat in your home. Think of it as free energy from a warm winter friend.

Layers – Like an Onion

It might seem simple to say but when you are in the house, layer up! Get a singlet on, then a t-shirt, then a cardigan or jumper. The temperature of your room does not need to be tropical and Hawaiian shirts are not an eco-fashion statement in winter. You can keep the heat in and close to your body by having layers, and as Shrek would say, like an onion!

Keep the draughts out

If your windows don’t quite fit the frames, cling wrap round the edges to keep the draughts from whipping in and close the gap. Or you could use bubble wrap and tape it around the window frame and make a temporary double glazed window. Same with the doors – get a draft excluder fitted to the bottom of the door or if you are being frugal to the nth degree then roll up an old towel tightly, duct tape in two or three places to keep it together and lay it at the foot of the door. Old school tech, but it works!

Price Compare, but be aware

Prices are zooming up. However, you might want to have a look at a few energy price comparison sites online. Try sites like www.goswitch.com.au, or www.switchwise.com.au. These simple steps could save you $100’s off of your energy bills. While you are at it, don’t forget to enquire about the GreenPower rate and see if you can get that thrown in as well. Also remember that the devil is in the detail, so look at what you are signing up for.

Eat well – eat warm

There is nothing that says staying warm like a lovely big bowl of thick soup or a “stick to the ribs” stew or casserole in the winter months. Cooking from scratch not only saves you money and helps you stay healthy; it keeps you in the lovely warm kitchen and eating hot food. Delicious minestrone, cooked in my pressure cooker warms the cockles for a big crowd of people at my home.

Your Energy Bills

So before you turn up the thermostat, have a think about the bill that you will receive in a few months time. It may help you remember and act upon these tips which will help you keep warm and save you money in the coming colder months of winter. Stay warm and wise!

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Filed Under: carbon footprint, climate change, Electricity efficiency

TGoG Podcast 020 – Interview with Darren Collins

May 25, 2011 @ 10:00 By Gavin Webber 4 Comments

TGOG+podcast+logo+new+1400+v2I had the pleasure of interviewing Darren from green-change.com for my latest podcast.  We talk about what motivated him and his family to begin to live a sustainable lifestyle, why they moved to a larger property in Jamberoo NSW, and a great insight into raising pigs from piglet to freezer.
Listen to the Episode Below (00:44:48)
Download Listen in a New Window iTunes Stitcher SoundCloud Leave a Review Clammr It Subscribe via RSS Subscribe on Android RSS Patreon

Please join me in listening to the sixth interview in the “Interview with a green blogger” series of podcasts.

If you enjoyed the podcast, please pop over to iTunes and rate it and leave a review. You can also do the same within Stitcher Radio if you use that service.  It would help me out so much, and elevate the ratings so that others can find out about the podcast and learn about sustainable living in the ‘burbs.

You can subscribe to the show via RSS or iTunes or Stitcher for your portable device.  Just use the subscription buttons below.

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Until next time, stay green and keep keen!

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Filed Under: Podcast, TGOG Podcast

Being Different – Cross post from SGFC

May 24, 2011 @ 17:48 By Gavin Webber 9 Comments


I am different.  Yes, really different, but I hope it doesn’t stay that way for long.

However, I know that I am not alone.  Slowly growing within the consumeristic heart of western culture and society, there is a special kind of person that is different from the mainstream.  Sometimes they are hard to spot, but with a bit of careful observation you can pick them out from the crowd.

You will see them shopping in op shops buying clothes and other essentials.  You will catch them on weekends in their gardens growing their own food.  You will find them in their kitchens cooking meals for their family.  You will see them mending and repairing, reducing, reusing, and recycling items around the home.  You will find them talking about the antics of their chickens instead of talking about weekend football or some other trivial pursuit.  You will notice their friendly demeanour, and note that they give endlessly of their skills and knowledge.  You will finding them buying local produce and goods.  You will find them using less resources in their lifestyle.  You will hear them enjoying life and not have a nagging feeling in their gut that something is missing in their life.

In fact, these people are you.  I can see you out there as our audience, changing your lives, being different from the rest of society, every single day of the year and living life to the full.  Having fun and finding the courage to be someone different who stands up for the future of humanity and all creatures on the Earth in each and every action you take towards your simple, green, and frugal lifestyle.

It feels good to be different is a small way, however what would please me much, much more was if everyone lived as if the welfare of Mother Earth, Gaia, Mother Nature, or whatever label you put on this big blue-green marble we live on and call home.  I yearn to see the day when we are all the same.

Being different is maybe good in the short term, but a big green groundswell that reaches a tipping point is far superior.  Change at the community level is the only thing that will make a difference in the long run to our environment which without we do not stand much of a chance.  It makes me laugh when I hear the term “Save the Environment”.  As I know full well that the environment is not something separate from humans, what that term really means, and has a bigger punch in the process is “Save Humanity and all other Species on the planet”.  It has a better ring to it, and a worthy goal.

So lets take the “different” and make it “the norm”.  Reach out to your local community and share all the different things you do in your sustainable lifestyle, and I bet you my best laying chicken, that you will make a difference to someone’s life!

Who is up for the challenge?

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Filed Under: Change, Environment

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About Gavin Webber

About Gavin Webber

An Ordinary Australian Man Who Has A Green Epiphany Whilst Watching A Documentary, Gets a Hybrid Car, Plants A Large Organic Vegetable Garden, Goes Totally Solar, Lowers Consumption, Feeds Composts Bins and Worms, Harvests Rainwater, Raises Chickens, Makes Cheese and Soap, and Eats Locally. All In The Effort To Reduce Our Family's Carbon Footprint So We Can Start Making A Difference For Our Children & Future Generations To Come.

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Podcast Reviews

  • Always inspiring and entertaining!
    August 4, 2016 by floriographer from Australia

    I've crowed about Gavin's podcast before but I just have to recommend it once again - I love that he shares his learning as well as his successes - it helps the rest of us try try try again! Thanks Gavin!

  • ms
    July 22, 2016 by Ketaea12 from New Zealand

    I really enjoy listening to Gavin, he has a kind lovely voice. He covers some great relevant topics for the everyday greenie. With lots of tips or how to or what not to do. Thanks Gavin, love it!!

  • Well worth your time to tune in
    October 23, 2015 by A Vision Splendid from Australia

    I can highly recommend Gavin’s podcast ! I have followed Gavin’s blog since the very beginning and have loved to see his journey unfold. Gavin has a lovely speaking voice so this podcast is always very easy to listen to. Gavin has a very authentic approach to his green living lifestyle. He shares the ups and downs but always provides motivation and practical steps that we can all implement.

  • very good
    June 28, 2015 by Scared pax from United Kingdom

    This is a great podcast if you want to improve your life in so many aspects and become a more sustainable person. I love the soothing voice, the good pace, and it contains lots of useful information. Recommended!

  • opened my eyes
    May 25, 2015 by Gorn4lyfe from Australia

    A wonderful show!

  • Inspiring
    April 30, 2015 by Alan Whelan from Ireland

    This is a great podcast if you're looking for practical info on saving money by living more sustainably from someone who's made that journey over the last few years. Told in a nice, easy conversational style

  • Green Living, inspiring and practical
    January 8, 2015 by EliseMac from Australia

    Thanks Gav for sharing what has (and hasn't) worked along your journey for living a greener lifestyle. Inspiring and achievable for anyone, I look forward to this podcast weekly.

  • Local food equals less waste
    December 27, 2014 by allotmentadventureswithjean from Australia

    Another brilliant podcast from Gavin Webber encouraging us, and showing us how, to cut down on food miles, growing our own food, and cutting down on food waste. Gavin is a really interesting speaker, showing us how to eat better, growing our own food and how to live more sustainably.

  • Honestly australian
    December 15, 2014 by HodgepodgeOz from Australia

    Fantastic podcast, with a wide variety of well thought and researched topics. Gavin is a honest, forthright pod aster with a genuine interest in helping others get green. Like a day alongside is a day wasted, so too is a week without listening to Gavin. Highly recommended for people starting out, or those in the midst of their new lifestyle. Keep it up Gavin, wish there were more great reviews! Kimberley

  • Morning motivation
    December 8, 2014 by Bunnyworm from Australia

    Gavin has a great passion for living this greener lifestyle that motivates others to do the same. The podcasts are always interesting and informative. :)

  • Passionate Advocate
    October 18, 2014 by BoomOpGirl from Australia

    Gavin's enthusiasm and passion for creating a more sustainable world is nothing short of contagious. Thanks Gav, you are my weekly source of motivation for living a sustainable life! :)

  • Gavin speaks from the heart
    October 13, 2014 by Green gavin from Australia

    Gavin's podcasts are required listening for anyone planning to live a more sustainable life. He doesn't preach, but tells you his story from the heart. You'll laugh, smile, share in his concerns and along the way you'll pick up some great tips on living a simple life.

  • Green thoughts, so well iterated
    October 9, 2014 by Kwasikwami from Australia

    This is a wonderful podcast. Not only does Gavin talk knowledgeably on a range of sustainability topics from gardening tips all the way to the issues facing humanity as a whole, but he does so in such a wonderful voice, it's like listening to my Dad, love it!!

  • Easy listening inspiration on being green
    September 24, 2014 by Broomedy from Australia

    Gav knows how to share his journey to a more sustainable life in a manner that shows just how easy it really is. Not to mention healthier, economically beneficial and generally rewarding. The podcasts are an easy way to absorb Gav's great lifestyle. I recommend to anyone.

  • Thanks Gavin!
    August 31, 2014 by Honeywoodmilk from Australia

    Great practical advice for a greener lifestyle. This podcast is for anybody interested in growing their own food in suburbia, saving electricity, brewing beer, making cheese, all that wonderful business and most of all, saving money! Thanks Gavin, love the podcast mate!

  • Enjoyed those ideas for staying warm
    August 15, 2014 by enduringdragon from United States

    Like you we are having winter here in Chile—brrr! Every bit we can save on heating we will.

  • Green Podcasts
    July 26, 2014 by Carneu from Australia

    Excellent podcasts, which are full of information to help get started on a sustainable lifestyle.

  • Practical ideas and inspiration
    July 19, 2014 by HeathrowHeath from Australia

    I highly recommend Gavin's podcast and blog. Down to earth, entertaining and inspirational. Thank you.

  • Interesting & easy to listen to
    April 27, 2014 by Velocity3 from New Zealand

    Gavin & his guests make this green journey lots of fun.

  • Great green listen
    April 18, 2014 by Obscurenickname from Australia

    Gavin is a great down to earth, tell it like it is aussie with a passion for sustainability and growing food and making cheese

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