Time is running out for Australia to lift its 2030 climate target before the COP26 summit in Glasgow.
With Victoria's climate targets announced and the People's Climate Strategy delivered, Act on Climate are turning our attention to the Morrison government.
Here’s a quick update on our efforts over the last month and upcoming actions...
POLITICIANS ACROSS VICTORIA RECEIVE PEOPLE’S CLIMATE STRATEGY:
Friday 18 June was our statewide Delivery Day: the day community members met with political representatives from every political party in every region of Victoria to deliver them copies of our People's Climate Strategy.
We framed the climate crisis as something that is here and now for people in Victoria—not decades away, or only at the polar icecaps. And with personal stories and local community knowledge, we made climate change relevant to every MP.
Just days after receiving copies, the Leader and Deputy leader of the Victorian Nationals publicly noted the strong community support for tackling the climate crisis. Our message even made it into the federal parliament, with Labor MP Ged Kearney calling on members of the Morrison government to read the People's Climate Strategy (video).
Check out the Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for more delivery photos and the Ballarat Courier and Seymour Telegraph for articles on deliveries to regional MPs.
NEW CAMPAIGN TO INCREASE AUST'S CLIMATE TARGETS: 
Time is running out for Australia to increase its 2030 climate target for the critically-important COP26 summit. It's why we're throwing everything we've got at the issue for the next four months.
Act on Climate will be on the ground in Liberal heartland seats in the inner-east of Melbourne to ramp up pressure on Morrison government MPs. We need to see the Prime Minister match the targets set by the United Kingdom and United States or beat them!
We're going to need a lot of help to have impact in coming months, so please join us for two campaign info sessions to hear about our strategy:
- Thurs 5 Aug - Bargoonga Nganjin, North Fitzroy Library, 6:30pm to 8:00pm
- Thurs 12 Aug - Lido Cinema, Hawthorn, 6:30pm to 8:00pm
Help us build momentum by signing our new online petition and sharing our Facebook and Twitter posts.
BOOK NOW FOR 'GOOD GRIEF' SERIES:
Climate grief, eco-anxiety, despair, dread, overwhelm, paralysis, guilt, frustration, anger... These are just some of the heavy feelings that can be evoked by the systemic predicaments we find ourselves caught up in.
The Good Grief Network program, "10 Steps to Personal Resilience & Empowerment in a Chaotic Climate," creates a space for us to lean into and move through painful feelings about the state of the world together.
Starting in July, Liz and Anja from the Act on Climate collective will facilitate Good Grief sessions at Friends of the Earth in Collingwood and online. Join the sessions to share, be heard, and listen, to deconstruct cultural narratives, build skills and knowledge, and reorient towards meaningful efforts while growing resilient communities.
Places are limited so book now:
- Sunday afternoon sessions, weekly, in person in the Yami Lester Room at Friends of the Earth, starting 18 July.
- Thursday evening sessions, fortnightly, online via Zoom, starting 22 July.
LIGHTER FOOTPRINTS & THE FIGHT AGAINST FOSSIL GAS:
The powerhouse grassroots climate group, Lighter Footprints, is ramping up its campaign against fossil gas.
On Wednesday 28 July, Lighter Footprints will host The Fully Electric Home & The Fight Against Gas at the Marwal Centre in Balryn North. Attendees will hear from energy advisor Tim Forcey about transitioning to a fully-electric home as well as Friends of the Earth's own Cam Walker about resisting new gas developments.
Click here to register for the event.
DESIGN SELECTED FOR ACT ON CLIMATE'S FIRST T-SHIRT: 
Thanks to everyone who voted in our online poll, we have selected the following design as Act on Climate's first ever campaign t-shirt.
Whether it's marshalling a rally, attending a candidates' forum, hanging with the family, or doing the grocery shopping, you'll soon be able to do so sporting a 'Climate Justice' t-shirt designed by Bailey Sharp of the Workers Art Collective.
We're in the process of getting these t-shirts printed, so keep your eyes peeled for info on how to get your hands on one.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
The Climate Justice event calendar is packed this July. We'd love to see you at the following:
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July 4-11 - NAIDOC week, in your local area and online - July 8 - Corporate Cane Toads awards night, GLOU Sustainable Wine Dispensary, Collingwood
- July 11 - Workers for Climate Action working bee, Friends of the Earth, Collingwood
- July 14 - Cultural Responsiveness & Cultural Intelligences, Library at the Dock, Docklands
- July 17 - Global North-South in Climate Justice & Activism, Library at the Dock, Docklands
- July 18 - 10 Steps to Personal Resilience & Empowerment in a Chaotic Climate, Friends of the Earth, Collingwood
- July 22 - Climate Change & Pacific Sovereignty, Friends of the Earth Australia, online
- July 22 - 10 Steps to Personal Resilience & Empowerment in a Chaotic Climate, online
And remember, you're always welcome to join us for our weekly Act on Climate meetings.
In 2021 we're rotating between face-to-face meetings at Friends of the Earth's home base in Collingwood and online meetings via Zoom. Please email me for the Zoom link.
That's all from us for now. See you on the campaign trail...