COMMUNITY CLIMATE ACTION AN AUSTRALIAN GUIDE

The earth’s atmosphere is made up of a delicately balanced layer of ‘greenhouse gases’. This layer acts likea blanket, trapping enough heat to sustain life.Humans are burning huge amounts of fossil fuels – adding more and more greenhouse gases to the atmosphereand making this blanket thicker. This traps more and more heat, warming the globe and throwing our climateinto chaos.Climate change is already underway. The most recent (2007) report of the world’s most authoritativebody of climate scientists, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)1, confi rmed that:2...
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COMMUNITY CLIMATE ACTION AN AUSTRALIAN GUIDECOMMUNITY CLIMATE ACTION AN AUSTRALIAN GUIDE 1COMMUNITY CLIMATE ACTIONAN AUSTRALIAN GUIDERight now Australians from all walks of life are coming together tohelp reduce Australia’s contribution to climate change. Action startsat home, but there’s only so much we can do as individuals or families. To avoiddangerous climate change, we’ll need larger scale action– led by government.That’s why communities around Australia are teaming up to asktheir political leaders to do the right thing. They’re also learning howto work with their local media and encourage others in theircommunity to get on board.The Australian Conservation Foundation hopes this booklet providesa helpful guide to community climate action in Australia. Published by the Australian Conservation Foundation First published July 2007 Updated September 2008 Reproduction in whole or in part may only occur with the written permission of the published. For more information on the content of this booklet, please contact: Phil Freeman - Climate Campaigner Australian Conservation Foundation Phone: (02) 8270 9909 Mobile: 0438 043 049 Tollfree: 1800 332 510 Email: p.freeman@acfonline.org.au www.acfonline.org.au2 COMMUNITY CLIMATE ACTION AN AUSTRALIAN GUIDECONTENTSClimate Change - the nuts and bolts 4Climate change – the problem 4What is Australia’s contribution to the problem? 4The future is in our hands 5What will happen if we don’t take action? 5How can we solve the climate crisis? 5Australia’s natural role – a leader on climate change 6Leadership from Government 6Why should Australia be a leader? 6True leadership on climate change means… 7Some useful facts and figures 10Action at home 11Case study: simple savings at home 11Making your voice heard – by those who represent you! 13Step 1. Pick up the phone 13Step 2. Get Ready! Preparing to visit your MP 13Step 3. Do it! How to make the meeting a success 14Step 4: After the meeting - feedback and follow-up 14Talking to politicians – common questions and answers 15Let the media be your messenger 17Talkback radio tips 17Local newspapers – waiting for your story 18National and state newspapers - letters to the editor 19Case study: Canberra Mothers Group 19Working together – community climate action 20Join or start a climate action group 20Tips on running a local climate action group 20Success stories: climate action groups around Australia 21Organising community climate change events 21Get your friends and family on board 23Find out more 23Attachment 1 - sample press release 24Attachment 2 - community climate action checklist 25 COMMUNITY CLIMATE ACTION AN AUSTRALIAN GUIDE 3CLIMATE CHANGE – THE NUTS AND BOLTSClimate change – the problemThe earth’s atmosphere is made up of a delicately balanced layer of ‘greenhouse gases’. This laye ...