spudlydoo
Permaculture, (and the principles of permaculture), are becoming very popular here in Aus. Organic gardening is on the rise in a huge way here too.
There is a big change in thinking, and I think that it comes from living in a country that will be greatly effected by climate change, and already has been. Climate change is very real for us, and only fools are blind to the impacts that are already happening, and to the pollution that is killing our planet.
Climate change is a symptom of imbalance, pollution is the cause. Its destroying our planet, its destroying our health, and its destroying whole populations of plants and animals.
(sorry for the rant, but I am very passionate about this topic)
I'm so glad that your country bans herbicides and pesticides for lawns, sounds like they are starting to wake up as well :)
spud