Pests, banks and futureproofing

THREE NEAT THINGS

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ISSUE 082 | February 2025

Last week in my editing cave (where multitasking with a second screen has become an art form), I watched ABC's 'Eat the Invaders'. It got me thinking about how our everyday choices - from what we eat to where we bank - can create ripple effects for positive change. This issue explores some fascinating solutions to environmental challenges, from innovative home retrofits to conscious banking. And while I might not be rushing to try cane toad cuisine anytime soon, it's inspiring to see creative approaches to sustainability taking shape across Australia.

Fun fact: camel is apparently very succulent, and cane toads are surprisingly high in omega 3!

Marnie x

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Pest to plate: would you eat them?

Australia's latest culinary frontier tackles environmental challenges head-on in ABC's new show 'Eat the Invaders'. Host Tony Armstrong teams up with Mona's artist Kirsha Kaechele and chef Vince Trim to explore turning invasive species like carp, feral camel and even cane toads into sustainable food sources. 

The six-part series serves up creative solutions for managing pest species while challenging our food prejudices. I loved this series (despite being a vegetarian for more than ⅔ of my life)!

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Is your bank good for the planet?

New data shows 85 of 103 Australian retail banks don't finance fossil fuels - but our 'big four' banks remain major contributors. 

ANZ, CommBank, NAB and Westpac (who control 72% of Australia's banking sector) continue funding coal, oil and gas projects despite 7 in 10 Australians supporting a rapid transition to clean energy. Check your bank's fossil fuel involvement below (and super while you're at it!).

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In the Press

The Conrad EnerPHit house is in the spotlight this month, featuring in the March issue of Australian House & Garden and appearing on The Design Files last week. Owners Tylah and Dylan transformed a 1950s weatherboard into one of Australia's rare Passive House certified renovations, designed to perform efficiently for the next 50-100 years. 

Their inspiring retrofit showed what's possible beyond standard renovations, challenging the 'that'll do' mentality in Australian construction. Having sold this project, the duo are now working on their next retrofit, continuing their mission to upgrade Australia's energy-inefficient housing stock.