Always trying to remain positive
Its time for action amongst anxiety. Climate change is real and we are experiencing the horrendous effects of this right now in Australia.
Information is important – so we know what we each can do!
With a bit of research and help from friends here are just a few things we all can do, most of all try to stay positive too
1. LOBBY MINISTERS
Get in touch with:
– The Prime Minister’s office
– Your Federal Member of Parliament
– Your State Premier
– Your State Member of Parliament
Contact details for the PM and Federal MPs are here: https://www.australia.gov.au/…/contact-ministers-members-an…
(if you can’t remember your electorate go here https://electorate.aec.gov.au/)
Contact details for NSW ministers are here: https://www.nsw.gov.au/your-government/ministers/
If you can’t remember your nsw electorate (https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/…/Who-is-my-local-member.…)
Please turn your outrage into action. Our politicians are not leading the way. So we need to demand that they do!
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2. FIND OUT WHAT YOUR LOCAL COUNCIL IS DOING
We need action at all levels of government.
We will need strong resilient communities. Does your local council have an evacuation plan? How do they support vulnerable people during extreme weather events – are they building community and connecting neighbours? Do they support the homeless in extreme heat?
Have they declared a climate emergency? If they have are they then actually enacting tangible tactics to mitigate effects of climate change and protect their local community? Declaring a climate emergency isn’t virtue signalling. It is meant to lead to real action and acceleration of sustainable initiatives.
Check in with your council to see what they are doing.
Do a bit of research. Find out where your councillors stand. And start lobbying for more climate action on a local level.
Elections are coming up in NSW. You might want to support people who stand for climate action. You’d be amazed how many climate deniers there are on local councils in NSW and across Australia. There might just be 1 or 2 on a council but that can make a big difference (we have some in my local area so I have seen what they can do).
We want councils who are working to transition communities to net zero.
i.e. what’s their net zero plan? Are they putting in electric vehicle charging stations for community? Are they protecting green space and planting more trees? Are they looking at water recycling schemes?
Here’s some ideas of what your council might aim for and that you might suggest to your council! : https://www.caceonline.org/goals-and-targets-for-councils.h…
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3. USE YOUR MONEY AS A FORCE FOR GOOD
Consider divesting from fossil fuel supporting banks and super funds. AND/OR use your role as a customer / client for shareholder activism. Push the companies you are a customer / investor in to do more.
For example, did you know Origin is looking to frack the Northern Territory? Are you a customer? Then if you don’t agree with this you could tell them what you think.
Find out where our bank stands and more information on these campaigns here: https://www.marketforces.org.au
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4. COMBAT MISINFORMATION WHEN YOU SEE IT
You can do this graciously. I honestly try and do gracious engagement with people (even online). Yes, people get heated but I try to imagine the person is in front of me and a real person.. Abuse never gets anyone anywhere.
For example..
NO! The Greens are not responsible for the current situation we are in with fires due to them stopping back burning.
More info here: https://www.theguardian.com/…/is-there-really-a-green-consp…
YES! What happens in Australia counts. We are the 3rd biggest fossil fuel exporter in the world.
YES! We have always had bushfires but there is a link between these bushfires and climate change. https://www.climatecouncil.org.au/not-normal-climate-chang…/
NO! We are not on track to meet our emissions targets. Plus they are woefully inadequate for what we are facing. The Paris agreement was supposed to be a start, a launch pad to more action.
https://www.abc.net.au/…/2019-…/morrison-un-speech/11553594f
I could go on.. Check out https://www.climatecouncil.org.au for more resources
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5. HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY AND TAKE ACTION!
There can be a bit of an art to this. But effective conversations with those closest to you tend to be the best way to get more people to take action.
The School Strike 4 Climate people have created a great guide for talking about climate change and the bushfires with friends and family and some ideas for action you can take:
https://www.schoolstrike4climate.com/bushfires
Remember – you don’t have to be a climate science expert to have effective conversations.
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6. DONATE MONEY (IF YOU CAN AFFORD IT)!
Here are ways you can help frontline services including wildlife and RFS. Most places don’t want goods as they can’t handle them at the moment.
https://www.abc.net.au/…/bushfire-relief:-how-you-…/11835156
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7. BUY GREENPOWER!
Can’t have or don’t have solar panels? Help Australia transition to 100% renewable energy by 2030, by opting for a GreenPower-based electricity plan.
When you opt for an accredited GreenPower electricity plan, you encourage your energy provider to invest in renewable energy, like solar and wind farms. The money you spend on your electricity gets more renewably sourced power into the grid.
Use the Green Electricity Guide to find a good electricity provider OR call your current provider and ask them to switch you to their GreenPower plan for what you’re paying now or less. You can negotiate price!
https://www.greenelectricityguide.org.au/
8. PLANT TREES
They plant native biodiverse forests to offset carbon emissions on behalf of individuals and businesses and help fight the impacts of climate change. Since 1997, they have planted more than 9.2 million native trees across 500 biodiverse forests in Australia and New Zealand. http://www.greenfleet.com.au/
9. EAT LESS MEAT AND DAIRY OR BETTER STILL BECOME VEGAN
The decisions we make about food can have a profound effect on the environment. Here are four simple ways you can make your diet more climate-friendly.
- Eat more meat-free meals
- Buy organic and local whenever possible
- Don’t waste food
- Grow your own