Here is the Act on Climate crew's update on what we're up to, what's coming up, and ways you can get involved!
What does climate adaptation look like in action? And, how do we get the Vic Gov to increase action on adaptation?
This month, we amplified action already being taken by communities to keep each other safe. Alongside this, we helped further the discussion around adaptation gaps and opportunities in East Gippsland.
We also joined the call for a right to a safe climate to be included in Victoria’s Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities. The Government acknowledging that Victorians have this right will lead the way to recognising the risks we face. After which, supporting Victorians to be safe will become compulsory.
Communities will be safest and best supported through unavoidable climate impacts if they have the tools to determine their own adaptation pathway.
That's why we are:
- Supporting communities to identify and develop their own adaptation solutions. This increases local resilience to withstand threatening climate impacts, and
- Calling on the Vic Gov to fund communities' adaptation solutions - see our proposal for a Vic Community Climate Adaptation Fund.
RSVP for a collective meeting if you're keen to be a part of our campaign or learn some organising skills - no experience required, just passion for climate justice.
Or, join our Frontline Climate Alliance Vic (FCAV) - we would love to have you involved if you are keen on progressing climate adaptation in your local community.
East Gippsland Climate Resilience Mapping
Last week, Act on Climate facilitated Community Resilience Mapping in East Gippsland for EGCAN. This emergent project is part of the visioning work launched with Frontline Climate Alliance Vic members.
The event brought together community members and representatives from local stakeholders to brainstorm local exposures, sensitivities, assets, and adaptation gaps. Many opportunities for improvement and development were identified. These will be progressed by EGCAN's Climate Ready Communities collective.
Visioning the future that we want to create is critical for adaptation to locked in climate impacts. What does adapting to a changing climate look like in your community? What do you need to make your visions for a safe climate future come alive?
If you want to start the conversation around climate adaptation in your community, we can help you facilitate or teach you to facilitate community resilience mapping. Or simply use our facilitation guide and go ahead and run a session yourself.
Read more about resilience mapping
SEEKING: Climate Adaptation Activators
Act on Climate's Frontline Climate Alliance Vic (FCAV) is seeking local leaders in Victorian communities wanting to help progress community-led climate adaptation locally.
Over the past 9 months, the alliance has been exploring climate adaptation in Victoria and bringing people together to learn about, amplify, and action community-led climate adaptation.
Now, the FCAV space is ready to step up local Climate Adaptation Activators wanting to make their community resilient in the face of unavoidable impacts. Community catalysts ready to take their region along on the journey of adaptation will be aided by the alliance to accomplish this.
We will work together to share ideas, resources and solidarity for building this resilience locally to keep those most at risk in your community safe.
Want to progress your local community's climate adaptation?
Sign up to the FCAV to help your community become resilient and keep everyone in it safe.
Keen to progress climate adaptation in your community?
WATCH: Cool Safe Space Video
Logan Shield joined us at AoC's 6th Frontline Climate Alliance Vic (FCAV) call to tell us about about Moonee Valley Sustainability's Cool Safe Space project. The project is a way of keeping people safe and healthy as the temperature rises. Using a staged approach, a community space is being turned into a cool safe space run on renewables.
Watch the recording to hear how this inspiring initiative is being implemented and the learnings MVS has to share for others wanting to do the same in their community.
Watch the recording of our Cool Safe Space call
Right to a Safe Climate
On 30 July, the ‘Right to A Safe Climate Bill’ was tabled in Parliament. AoC joined an action at Parliament calling on Victorian Labor to enshrine the ‘right to a safe climate’ in Victoria’s human rights charter. In the words of Anjali Sharma, “The right to a safe climate is universal and inalienable, and to legislate this in Victoria is long overdue.” Victorians, young and old, deserve a safe climate!
AoC strategy session #3/3: Campaign story-making
Our third strategy session is coming up, where we'll curate our campaign story. We will sew together our vision and ideas into a message to share with others.
Join us in creating our campaign story at the last of three strategy sessions on 20 August at 6pm.
Come along to share your thoughts and ideas over a warm dinner at Friends of the Earth in Collingwood!
Together we can help prepare communities for now unavoidable climate impacts!
Get in touch if you'd like to get involved or hear more about what we're doing:
- Alee Hanczakowski: [email protected], or
- Vicky Ellmore: [email protected]
Remember, you're always welcome to join Act on Climate's weekly meetings. Our organising and action meetings will take place on the alternative fortnight to the Organising Training Workshops.
All weeks include dinner. Register here for an upcoming Tuesday.