Katoomba Area Local NewsStrengthening community, healing Country, and restoring the health of our planet.
Dr Keith Suter on Making Peace in the World Today
Dr Keith Suter (fourth from left) with members of the Blue Mountains Peace Collective.
Recognising how violence and war impact the health of the planet, the Blue Mountains Planetary Health Initiative has become a member of the Blue Mountains Peace Collective. On Sunday 25th May, members of the Collective attended a presentation by Dr Keith Suter on Making Peace in the World Today at the Leura Uniting Church.
Key Points:
The Doomsday Clock, which estimates humanity’s proximity to extinction, has been moved to 89 seconds to midnight.
There are steps all of us can take to grow a global movement for peace.
By adopting a Planetary Health approach – one that recognises the interdependence of human health and the health of our social, economic and environmental systems – we can forge a more peaceful, secure future.
The ‘dis-integration’ of the world through an increase in violence and war is creating an existential threat to all life. This year marks the sober 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Nagasaki and Hiroshima, which killed up to 246,000 people. It remains the only use of nuclear weapons in an armed conflict. For months afterward, many people continued to die from the effects of burns, radiationsickness, and other injuries, compounded by illness and malnutrition.
Since then, every year the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists has set theDoomsday Clock: a metaphor for estimating humanity’s proximity to extinction.
Dr Keith Suter (AM) from Global Directions, a member of the Club of Rome, former President of the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Sydney, and well known media commentator, has written three doctorates: the first examined the international law of guerrilla warfare (University of Sydney), the second explored the social and economic consequences of the arms race (Deakin University) and the third doctorate analysed scenario planning (Sydney University).
Members of the Leura Uniting Church and the Blue Mountains Peace Collective gathered to hear Dr Keith Suter on Sunday 25 May
At a community gathering in Leura, Dr Suter defined peace and the principles of working for peace, before outlining current global concerns and what we urgently need to do to stop the Doomsday Clock reaching midnight. In the question time following, he drew the link between climate change, environmental degradation and peace, and assured everyone that writing letters to politicians does have an impact!
You can watch Dr Suter’s full presentation in this video. Read further for a detailed outline of his talk.
Last month, the Permanent Secretariat of the World Summit of Nobel Laureates for Peace also hosted a webinar underscoring the inextricable link between Planetary Health, environmental sustainability and peace:
For peace to prevail in the long term, we must address these interconnected ecological determinants of human health. Climate change, environmental degradation, and health crises do not respect borders – they have the power to spark conflict, drive displacement, and deepen social inequities. By adopting a Planetary Health approach – one that recognizes the interdependence of human health and environmental systems – we can forge a more peaceful, secure future.
Below is an outline of Dr Keith Suter’s presentation:
MAKING PEACE IN THE WORLD TODAY – Dr Keith Suter
A resource for Twilight at Leura Uniting Church on Sunday 25th May 2025
INTRODUCTION: PEACE
What is “peace”?
More than simply the absence of war
It also involves co-operation and non-violent social change, aimed at creating more equitable and just structures in the communities and societies in which we live
Declaration of St James’ Palace June 1941:
The only true basis of enduring peace is the willing co-operation of free peoples in a world in which, relieved of the menace of aggression, all may enjoy economic and social security.
Principles of Working for Peace
Countries can win wars but lose the peace
“Violence” is not just about war alone: in the 20th Century more people were killed by their own governments than by foreign invaders
There has to be a change within each person
“Shalom”: wholeness
More than just about the scrapping of weapons: converting the weapons of war into the tools of peace: from swords into ploughs
Given the fallen nature of humankind, there will always be violence of some sort and so complete “peace” is not possible this side of the grave
Triangle of Peace
Disarmament
Conflict resolution
Search for justice
CURRENT CONCERNS
AUKUS: Australia, UK, USA
September 16 2021: AUKUS agreement is one of the most important foreign policy decisions in recent Australian history
Australian media tended to focus on submarines but the big picture is even more important; French submarine programme was over time and over budget
“China” was not mentioned in the three statements but was present throughout the media event
Are the decks being cleared for action against China? Variation of the “Thucydides Trap“? (Graham Allison); of 16 arms races in the last 500 years, 12 resulted in war
Risk of sleepwalking into a war with China
Taiwan could be the flashpoint to trigger a confrontation
In the recent general election neither of the two main parties questioned the viability of AUKUS
But New Cold War is Different from the Old One
The old Cold War (US-USSR, 1945-91) was mainly a military confrontation because the USSR was excluded from the world economy
New Cold War has China at the centre of the global economy (including via the Belt and Road Initiative: BRI)
How to oppose militarily a major trading partner?
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Basic Themes of Australian Foreign and Defence Policy
Fear of invasion
Fear that Australia cannot defend itself on its own; Australia is responsible for about 10 per cent of Earth’s surface
Need for a “great and powerful friend”
Payment of insurance premiums (beginning with the NSW troop deployments in UK’s 19th African conflicts) in the hope that the protector will come to Australia’s aid in a crisis
In short: Australia’s foreign and defence policy has been guided by the priorities of the senior ally (UK up to December 1941; now US e.g. Vietnam, “war on terror”, Afghanistan, Iraq)
There is little consistent public interest in this subject: people are anxious to be reassured that “something” is being done by “somebody” and then they turn their attention elsewhere, such as sport
Wider Context
Is China a threat to Australia? How should Australia respond to China-Taiwan tensions? Do we follow the US lead?
For the first time since 1788, Australia’s largest trading partner: isn’t part of the Western political/military alliance; isn’t part of the European cultural heritage; isn’t a developed country; isn’t a democracy: Yes: China is going to become the superpower, but it is doing things differently
How do we operate a fully-fledged nuclear-powered submarine fleet?
Can we trust the US? No country stays on top forever
“Armed neutrality”/ Swedish model: should Australia do more for its own defence and get rid of the US bases; reintroduce conscription; create compulsory forms of service in military and civilian corps, produce more of its own weapons; educate the general public to be more self-reliant?
“New Zealand” option: scrap much of the overseas military capability and reduce the US connection
Will “defence force modernisation” simply trigger local arms races and so would Australia be better off by not modernising and to seek to reassure the local region that it has no aggressive intentions?
Create a Ministry for Peace and do defence and foreign policy differently e.g. more economic and social co-operation?
Conclusion: there are plenty of alternatives to the current policy- but a lack of political will and public pressure to make changes.
We had a thoroughly enjoyable final Skill Share Saturday for the year yesterday with Qigong, Fashion Upcycling, Seed Saving and Bushcare! We shared seeds from local gardens and harvested carrots, as well as Mizuna, Broad Bean, Daikon and Land Cress seeds from the Planetary Health garden. We then packaged up (and shared) our first Upper Mountains Seed Savers packs for our fledgling Seed Bank. In Bushcare it`s very exciting to see whole new areas of the Planetary Health Precinct open up as we remove invasive weeds. It`s been a year of great progress as we`ve restored habitat for wildlife and given local native plants the opportunity to flourish and re-establish on the site.
Join the Planetary Health Centre this Sat 6 Dec for the last Skill Share Saturday of the year: Qigong at 9am, Seed Saving & Gardening Group at 10am, and Bushcare at 1.30pm. One perfect day with great company, great coffee and food, and great steps for living a healthy balanced life, while also contributing to the health of our planet for present and future generations. All ages welcome!
Registration links in profile and below.
Register for Qigong here: https://bit.ly/48wlHjD Register for Seed Saving & Gardening here: https://bit.ly/4prcRe7 Register for Bushcare here: https://bit.ly/4oAFDrz
We have a rare opportunity to learn about the newest and best possible ways to support family and community members struggling with mental health issues, at a free talk and afternoon tea provided by Upper Blue Mountains Sunrise Rotary at the Planetary Health Centre at 2pm this Saturday 29 Nov. Hear from Peter Joseph AM, Chair of the Black Dog Institute, and Professor Helen Christensen AO, Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science and former Executive Director and Chief Scientist at the Black Dog Institute. They`ll be in conversation with journalist Emma Rossi. Dr Christensen is a pioneer in using the internet to reach young people struggling with depression. Her digital mental health interventions are used by millions globally, delivering evidence-based therapy for depression, anxiety, and suicide prevention. Her research uses data from smartphones and wearables – like movement, screen use, and sleep – to detect early signs of mental health issues. Bookings essential here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4oOnYxz
This Saturday Sherlie McMillan from Rotarians 4 Planetary Health will be running a workshop on How to use a sewing machine from 9am at the Planetary Health Centre in Katoomba. Learn how to set up a machine, service it, troubleshoot when it`s not sewing correctly, and learn some basic sewing skills.
Bookings essential here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/how-to-use-your-sewing-machine
NB. This class is a prerequisite for our very popular Fashion Upcycling classes held once a month.
We`re thrilled to announce that Professor Helen Christensen, a pioneer in using the internet to reach young people struggling with depression, will be joining the conversation with Peter Joseph AM from the Black Dog Institute and journalist Emma Rossi at the Planetary Health Centre at 2pm this Saturday 29 November. Helen was the Executive Director and Chief Scientist for the Black Dog Institute for 10 years and has now been elected a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science. Her digital mental health interventions are used by millions globally, delivering evidence-based therapy for depression, anxiety, and suicide prevention. Her research uses data from smartphones and wearables – like movement, screen use, and sleep – to detect early signs of mental health issues. This free event is being co-hosted by Upper Blue Mountains Sunrise Rotary and the Blue Mountains Planetary Health Initiative. Afternoon tea will be provided. Bookings essential here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4oOnYxz
Human composting is increasingly being legalised around the world. Read about it in Katoomba Area Local News here (link in profile): https://www.katoombalocalnews.com/legalising-human-composting/
If you’d like to see this option available in NSW you can now sign a live petition to the NSW Parliament here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/43QIHbz
Thanks to everyone who contributed to deliver a fantastic Disaster Risk Awareness Expo and Family Day yesterday. @mark_greenhill_mayor opened the event at which we celebrated the 13th birthday of Betty the Asbestos Education House; @firecoat_au demonstrated and launched its range of fire retardant products that can help protect homes, gardens and even electricity poles; the Bushfire Retrofit Toolkit was launched; Santa arrived and delighted young and old; and @plantinspired99 and Action for Animals fed us all with a delicious plant-based sausage sizzle. The day was filled with talks, workshops, stalls and the sharing of a huge amount of expertise to keep us, and the other species we share our planet with, safe and healthy! @southkatoomba.rfb @nswses @fireandrescuensw @nswrfs @redcrossleura @redcrossau @shelter.building.design @firehalo.au @asbestosawareness @amelie_ecology @bbagsbluemtns @wireswildliferescue @handsheartfeet
Our marquee is up and we`re excited about our Expo and Family Day tomorrow (Sat 22 Nov). There`s something for everyone from a free sausage sizzle, plants from Santa and drumming and pollinator workshops, to sessions on keeping you and our community safe from extreme weather events and hazardous substances like mould and asbestos. Learn how intumescent paints can slow the spread of fire and pick up a sample pot; check out all our emergency service organisations; learn how to dispose of hazardous materials; paint a native orchid, make some seed balls or sew a boomerang bag to give as plastic-free Christmas presents this year; enjoy coffee and locally made sweets; and get tips on how to retrofit your home safely and beautifully to be prepared for future extreme weather events. View the full program and register here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4nFrY1J
There are so many new and innovative ways of doing things, like the new cooking techniques being explored by Michael from Good Fat Pastry, and the new fire protection methods being launched at the Planetary Health Centre`s Expo and Family Day on Sat 22 Nov. Check out Michael’s recent presentation at the Food Security Fair in our video here: https://bit.ly/4pnXbIg (link in profile) and come along to taste his delicious carrot cake and pastries at the Expo on Saturday. Check out the program and register to attend here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4nFrY1J
In 2006 Peter Joseph’s son Michael suicided after a 14-year episodic battle with mental illness. Peter is now the Chair of the Black Dog Institute which is working to achieve better outcomes for all those struggling with mental health issues. Journalist Emma Rossi will engage Peter in an intimate and moving conversation about a life of purpose and mental health advocacy. As a Rotary scholar Peter will also reflect on how Rotary helped shape his values and sense of purpose as a young man - and how those early lessons continue to guide his work today. This free event is being hosted by the Upper Blue Mountains Sunrise Rotary Club and the Blue Mountains Planetary Health Initiative on Saturday 29 November from 2-4pm at the Planetary Health Centre at 33-39 Acacia St Katoomba. Afternoon tea will be provided. Bookings essential here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4oOnYxz
Learn about intumescent fire retardant paint and a range of other strategies to prepare for extreme weather events, and to manage hazardous materials, at the upcoming Expo and Family Day at the Planetary Health Centre on Sat 22 Nov. You can register to attend here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4nFrY1J We checked out how intumescent paint works in this video.
When temperatures reach a certain point the intumescent paint begins to swell and expand, often up to 50 times its original thickness. It forms a thick, carbonaceous "char" that acts as an insulating barrier. This layer slows the rate at which heat reaches the structural elements and buys valuable time for people to safely exit a building during a fire. It makes the structure safer for firefighters and rescue teams. #intumescentpaint #fireretardant #bushfire @firecoat_au...
Mould, lead paint, asbestos, silica dust from engineered stone bench tops and a wide range of chemicals, are amongst some of the many hazardous substances entering our environment and negatively impacting our health. Asbestos is found in over 3000 products including textured paints, moulded garden pots, brake pads and clutch linings in older cars, floor and ceiling tiles, lino, fibro, roofing, pipes and gutters, hot water systems, backing for switchboards and insulation boards in air-conditioning ducts, insulation, sealants, fillers, caulking and adhesives, gaskets for industrial and lab equipment and more. We’ll have information to take away and Blue Mountains City Council and the Asbestos and Hazardous Materials Consultants Association (AHCA) will be running free workshops on how to identify and manage these hazardous substances at the Planetary Health Centre`s Disaster Risk Awareness Expo in Katoomba on Sat 22 Nov. Find out more and register to attend here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4nFrY1J
In Katoomba, a grassroots litter-picking group tackles rubbish before it reaches our water supply. Their story shows how local environmental action, fueled by community connection, can drive meaningful change for planetary health.
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