Patrick Longfield

Vocation:

Education

Year Joined:

1995

Phone:

N/A

Email:

plongfield@ecosteps.com.au

Biography:

Born in New Zealand, I was educated in England, migrating in 1960. I worked in the bio-medical science educational area for over 35 years working and teaching at the Sydney Institute of TAFE.
Some years prior to retiring in 2001 I undertook a Masters in Social Ecology. This study created a significant change in my world view.

My learning during the course become the major trigger for me to explore and try to understand how the human race lives on this planet, and can continue to do so, while causing so much damage to our environment.  What is its future if it continues the way it is going?

I have now been interested in and worked in the area of ecological sustainability for the past 13 years.  For the last 10 of these I have been a member of EcoSTEPS, a multi-disciplinary consultancy providing specialised services to people in organisations seeking to operate and interact in ways that contribute to a sustainable world.

As well as this work, I currently lecture and tutor at UNSW in all aspects of ecological sustainability.  During this time, my particular interest has come to focus upon the values that define our behaviour.

The level of awareness and knowledge we hold about technological solutions to many of the ‘sustainability’ problems is high.  What is less well accepted or understood, is how we deal with the values of a society that is causing the problems.  It is this area of change I consider the real challenge.

Unless, and until, we get to grips with our social values and ethics associated with sustainability, the changes necessary in this area will not eventuate. Those values that have brought us to this time and place in our evolution, seem to me to be unlikely to guide us to where we need to go now.  How can we reconcile our current expectations and wishes for a ‘good life’, within the constraints of a finite planet?

My other interests include photography, golf, walking, reading, gardening, fishing, and trying to understand people’s behaviour.

Why I joined Rotary: I joined the Rotary Club of Ryde because two members who were my friends invited me to. I have never regretted joining. In fact it has added another dimension to my life through the ‘Rotarians for a Sustainable Future’ project that I work at with Richard Whiley, PP Chatswood. My involvement with Ryde has led me to become involved in areas I never considered.
Although I live in Randwick, being a member of Ryde has been an extreme pleasure. The culture of the club, which comes only through its members, is what keeps me driving to Ryde each week.

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