Sustainable Activism for the Earth

Peter's intellectual concerns centre on the relations between social structure and ecological processes as distinct from researching deeper within the part. In particular, his research concerns are the development of ecologically and socially sustainable social and psychological structures. In researching social sustainability, he has particularly focused on the critical factors shaping the viability of co-operative environmental communities. This research began by undertaking the first national study into this area for his doctorate. This has been followed up by subsequent field trips and reviews to extend this initial research. This research work has been reflected in his consultancy work and has been applied through experimentation with the possibilities for and constraints facing urban and in particular rural co-operative settlement. His research has examined the interface between the issues of social and ecological sustainability. For example, research into the interface between renewable energy technology and community. A grant from the Victorian Solar Energy Council enabled a study to evaluate the psycho-social aspects of user experience of renewable energy sources. Funding from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs enabled research into the interface between social attitudes, organisation and land care management. Other research has examined the possibilities for synergy between economic activity and ecological sustainability. This was explored as co leader of a project on community participation in ecotourism planning. This research has been extended through completing a book on Australian Ecotourism that examines the role of ecotourism as a way of generating economic activity that supports sustainable nature connections. A parallel research focus is concerned with the interface between psychological, spiritual and ecological sustainability which is refected in his more recent publications.