Sustainability at RICON

Sustainability at RICON

Unveiling Melbourne’s Sustainability at RICON: Hosting the Rotary Convention

When Melbourne took the stage as the host city for the 2023 Rotary International Convention (RICON), it wasn’t just about bringing together Rotarians from around the world. It was a chance for this bustling metropolis to showcase its commitment to sustainability. This article dives into the reasons why Melbourne stands out as a sustainable city and how it embraced eco-consciousness as it played host to the RICON event. Discover how Melbourne’s initiatives align with Rotary’s values and contribute to a greener future.

Melbourne’s Sustainable Spirit: The ethos of sustainability runs deep within Melbourne’s urban fabric. From its extensive public transportation network to its network of urban gardens and green spaces, Melbourne has long prioritized environmentally friendly initiatives. As RICON attendees explored the city, they couldn’t help but notice the seamless integration of sustainable practices, setting an inspiring backdrop for the convention.

ESRAG’s Role in Sustainable Exploration: ESRAG (Environmental Sustainability Rotarian Action Group) members left an indelible mark on RICON by organizing a series of events that allowed attendees to delve into Melbourne’s sustainability. From a rap video tour showcasing Melbourne’s green initiatives to the Environment Action Summit on May 25, participants had the chance to learn, connect, and contribute to the sustainable narrative.

Environmental Field Trips: Biodiversity and Rotary Service Projects: The environmental field trips offered during RICON provided a firsthand experience of Melbourne’s commitment to sustainability. From biodiversity-rich bat tours to visits to botanical gardens, attendees witnessed Rotary service projects that emphasized environmental conservation and community engagement. These field trips bridged the gap between theory and action, showcasing how Melbourne is making a positive impact on its surroundings.

Sustainability in Every Detail: The Melbourne Rotary International Convention itself was a testament to the city’s dedication to sustainability. From sustainable transportation options to mindful food choices and efficient waste management practices, every aspect of the convention reflected Melbourne’s eco-conscious approach. This alignment with Rotary’s core values created a synergistic experience for attendees.

Offsetting Travel with Environmental Contributions: ESRAG’s Flight Carbon Estimator provided attendees with an avenue to offset their travel emissions through donations to Rotary’s environmental global grant funds. This initiative reinforced the notion that sustainability is not just about individual actions; it’s about collective efforts to mitigate our environmental impact.

Melbourne’s Sustainable Legacy: As RICON concluded, Melbourne’s legacy as a sustainable host city continued to resonate. The city’s sustainable practices, combined with the efforts of ESRAG and Rotarians, created a memorable and impactful convention experience. Melbourne’s journey towards sustainability serves as an inspiration for cities worldwide, highlighting the positive outcomes that can be achieved through conscious choices and collaborative actions.

Heading to Melbourne?
Rap Video Reveals this Sustainable City

ESRAG members have organized an amazing series of events to help you explore Melbourne during the 2023 Rotary International Convention and discover how the host city is advancing sustainability. ESRAG RICON Sustainability planning chair Vic Grosjean starts you off with a video tour of this Sustainable RICON, performing the first Rotary rap entirely written by Artificial Intelligence.

Here’s your guide to ESRAG’s RICON events. Don’t miss the Environment Action Summit May 25. You can choose among five environmental field trips on May 25 and May 26, showcasing Rotary service projects and biodiversity from bats to botanical gardens. Bring your lunch and connect with worldwide friends at the Rotary Fellowship luncheon on May 27.

ESRAG’s Green Events Handbook will be officially launched at the Melbourne Rotary International Convention, which itself showcases sustainable transportation, food, and waste management. And don’t forget to offset your travel by a donation to Rotary’s environmental global grant funds using ESRAG’s Flight Carbon Estimator.

About the author: Vic Grosjean

Chartered Engineer with 15 years of Ocean experience, Vic Grosjean is Principal Consultant at OceanX Group, an Engineering Consultancy specialising in Environmental Monitoring solutions. As a leader and community educator, he strives for projects to reduce water pollution on a global scale and make a long-term difference for humanity. His career focus is to build collaboration between organizations in order to advance Engineering and preserve the Environment with the ultimate goal of Saving our Oceans.