Creating sustainable directions
Author: CBOnline | Source: CBOnline | Date: 06-01-10
Sustainable Synergy is a independent sounding board of new ideas to make sustainability across industry, economics, and government a reality. The show is a source of contacts to know as much as possible about how sustainability can only be built around a synergy of community. A background in architecture instilled in producer/presenter Frederick Malouf the means to build integrating criteria in assessing values across industries, and applying first principle constructs in how these values work in society. Travel led to working in publishing in London, architecture in Glasgow, and advertising in Prague, amid enlightening sojourns sailing across the Atlantic. Returning to Australia, a Masters in Design provided further grounding in design concepts and management, bringing to light the lack of integration across industries and how much consumers waste for such little purpose.
How did the program get started?
The station wanted volunteers for arts-oriented programs. I have a design background and felt that people concentrate on the aesthetic of design as a marketing ploy, rather than its impact on history. Sustainability is a key part of this, but this has never been addressed effectively. The program developed towards understanding how we approach sustainability in general, that it is consumer focused. What really has to change is industry, politics, and economics. The science is there, so why don't we use it? My program concentrates on these sectors, bringing specialists together, looking at what they do to make sustainability possible. People need to realise that staying where we are will reduce our security in society and ourselves, rather than moving forward.
I studied architecture, which I believe is one of our highest arts. It did teach me about quality, understanding art and reason. After travelling, I moved to publishing, amid sojourns of discovery. Upon returning to Australia, I needed a platform to express myself, hence the radio program.
What is the program focus?
I focus on industrial ecology, something that many countries in Europe have been practising for some time. Quite logical in its efficiency, but the US and Australia do not practice it very well, if at all. I focus more on Australia however. We are losing dramatically because we do not trust our innovative people, and this lies in how we perceive our identity.
I am planning towards a one-hour program, where listeners can call in and speak directly to guests. Perhaps a one-hour interview with the same person could be perceived as boring for a listener. I feel the information delivered is too valuable to sacrifice for time. It’s an extended conversation you might hear over a relaxing cup of coffee, which allows for space.
Buy Nothing Day was an initiative I didn’t know existed before the program, A group are taking this further by not buying anything new for a year. Extraordinary. This brings to attention the question of why is sustainability reduced to people having to look at junk to make it possible as the source product was not made sustainably in the first place. Being sustainable is not a sacrifice, but a blossoming. This does take a paradigm shift to understand. Human beings are the source of the problem, and the solution.
What is unique about 'Sustainable Synergy' that you can’t hear any where else?
A lot of sustainable programs look at their reports in isolation, or look at it as a reaction within a microcosm, be it cultural, material, etc. To make real change, however, is to identify the source of the issue. Change upsets the lives of most people, but ultimately leads to what we link of others and ourselves. How we can live securely in the face of what we have created at the expense of others is incomprehensible.
Why is community radio an important training ground for journalistic talent?
It cannot be disputed that without this platform, I would not have had the chance to apply my mind in this way, and learn the art of radio with a program as distinct, and probably difficult, as mine. I sometimes envy those that play music, but I remember my objective and learn about both.
Sustainable Synergy broadcasts weekly on Eastside Wednesdays 11.30am – 12noon. Listen live here!
