Climate Action Starts Here
Thinking it’s time to level up? Here’s how you can help get Australia’s emissions down in this critical decade.
Show your solidarity by supporting and donating to these Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led organisations and campaigns.
Okay, you’ve heard it before, but have you done it yet? Don’t over-think it: the main thing is to switch to the provider that has the lowest emissions profile that your circumstances can manage and tell your old provider exactly why you’re leaving.
It’s also worth checking in every year or so, as prices for climate-friendly services will very likely continue to fall.
- Greenpeace’s Green Electricity Guide makes it easy to sort the polluters from the renewers in the electricity grid.
- Market Forces helps you judge your superannuation fund and your bank so you can get your money out of fossil fuels.
- Got shares beyond your super? Register your shareholdings with the Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility so you can help support shareholder resolutions when annual general meeting season rolls around.
- 350.org Australia has long campaigned on Australian banks that lend to fossil fuel projects and companies.
Many seasoned advocates began their climate journey by talking to a friend or two and working out what to do together, or by joining the first group that looked like a good fit.
- Start a conversation on climate, with help from Climate For Change.
- Join a local group of these legendary organisations: the Australian Conservation Foundation, Friends of the Earth Australia, or The Wilderness Society’s Movement For Life.
- Look for a Landcare group near you.
- Find your local climate and sustainability group by postcode here – and there’s a clickable map!
- The Next Economy supports communities across regional Australia to develop plans that reduce emissions while simultaneously creating good social and economic outcomes.
Your local conservation council or environment centre can help direct you to local climate and environmental groups (and they also lead a bunch of critical climate campaigns you can join):
- Arid Lands Environment Centre
- Cairns and Far North Environment Centre
- Conservation Council SA
- Conservation Council of Western Australia
- Environment Centre Northern Territory
- Environment Tasmania
- Environment Victoria
- Hunter Community Environment Centre
- Nature Conservation Council of New South Wales
- Queensland Conservation Council
Lowering your impact is important, but wouldn’t it be great to have a personal coach? Happily the One Small Step app is just that.
WWF Australia has a handy carbon footprint calculator and loads of tips on how you can decarbonise everyday living.
Making your home climate-friendly is a great thing to do if you’re able. Check out Renew, an organisation that provides independent, quality advice, and the My Efficient Electric Home group on Facebook is a feast of tips and solutions.
If you’re renting, campaign for healthier homes with Better Renting.
When it comes to everyday campaigning, here’s a few tips:
- Sharing something on social media you’re furious about or pleased to see changing? Remember to tag your local politician by using the @ symbol and their profile name. Trust me, they notice.
- Speaking of engaging your politician (remember they represent you), a polite, heartfelt letter or phone call from you and your friends will get your local MP listening. For tips on how to write letters, submissions or how to visit a pollie, head to The Commons library or The Change Agency —you’ll find a heap of other resources on campaigning and organising there too.
- Remember, you can get transferred to any politician’s office in Parliament House, Canberra, by dialling (02) 6277 7111.
- Check out Democracy in Colour, an organisation that works towards a society where the inherent worth, dignity and humanity of everyone is recognised.
- Furious about something no one’s fixing yet? Start your own campaign with GetUp’s handy tool or go to Change.org.
Most of us are at work most of the time, so stack climate action into your 9 to 5.
- Work for Climate is the place to learn how to pitch climate action to your employer, with a solid business case.
- Professionals Advocating for Climate Action is a growing network with monthly meetings held online.
- Better Futures Australia is an alliance of companies, professional associations and individuals representing more than 7 million Australians, totalling more than $330 billion in GDP, assets and market capitalisation that your organisation can join.
These days there is a climate group for everyone. Get started here, and you can find even more at the Climate Action Network Australia.
- AFL Players for Climate Action
- Australian Parents for Climate Action
- Australian Marine Conservation Society
- Australian Religious Response to Climate Action
- Australian Youth Climate Coalition
- Bushfire Survivors for Climate Action
- Climate and Health Alliance
- CommsDeclare
- Community Power Agency
- Diplomats for Climate Action Now
- Doctors for the Environment Australia
- Frontrunners
- Green Music Australia
- Groundswell Giving
- Healthy Futures
- Jewish Climate Network
- Outdoors People for Climate
- RE-Alliance
- School Strike 4 Climate Australia
- Solar Citizens
- Stop Adani
- Surfers for Climate
- Tomorrow Movement
- Women’s Climate Congress
- Women’s Climate Justice Collective
- Veterinarians for Climate Action
Learn more on the climate challenge, and the systemic shifts we need in our energy, transport and land-use sectors here:
- The Australia Institute and Blueprint Institute are experts in climate and energy.
- Beyond Zero Emissions breaks down the jobs and manufacturing potential Australia has on its doorstep.
- For the latest science on climate change, visit the legendary Climate Council.
- Get trained up at Climate Reality.
- Find out more on the climate tech landscape; there’s a tasty mix at Climate Salad.
- Interested in decarbonisation pathways? ClimateWorks Centre is the place to go.
- The Hunter Jobs Alliance shows how heavy industry can decarbonise and ensure our regions thrive through its expert analysis.
If you’re frozen with freak-out, you’ll be taking climate action with one hand tied behind your back. Seriously, get some help.
- Psychologists for a Safe Climate has a list of climate-aware practitioners you can search.
- Good Grief Network has a bunch of resources and programs you can join.
- The Work that Reconnects Network online course ‘Active Hope’ steps you through a process that participants find both healing and motivating.
- Britt Wray’s excellent Gen Dread blog has a fantastic list of resources to work with climate emotions, built in collaboration with The All We Can Save Project.