What a year it's been campaigning on climate adaptation! AoC has been:
- facilitating grassroots discussions on climate adaptation in communities,
- engaging Vic Gov to secure more funding for locally-led solutions, and
- collecting and sharing examples of what preparing for climate impacts can look like to inspire Vic communities to start local initiatives that will keep people and Country safe.
Our beautiful banner made its way to all of the regional Vic Resilience Inquiry hearings and a Melbourne one to show support for our Vic Community Climate Adaptation Fund (VCCAF). We now wait for the recommendations. Did you know:
- 83.7% of submissions called for increased funding in climate adaptation,
- 49.6% called for ongoing funding, and
- over a third (39.6%) called for our VCCAF specifically?
You can add your support for the fund here. We'll continue our push for adequate and ongoing funding for climate adaptation in the new year.
Before we take a break, we have one more online Adaptation Activator call (focusing on heat impacts) and a Garage Sale Fundraiser! Hope to see you there!
SAVE THE DATE! We're kicking off next year with a Climate Adaptation Fair! Book out 8 February 2025 in your diary for this - it's going to be a spectacular day of celebrating and inspiring community-led climate adaptation.
Join the Act On Climate collective to campaign for grassroots climate resilience solutions in 2025! Come to a collective meeting if you're keen to be a part of our campaign or learn some organising skills - no experience needed, just passion for climate justice.
The Act On Climate collective have been working with communities across Victoria to talk about what they need to prepare for climate impacts.
By facilitating community climate resilience mapping, they've worked with communities to understand what climate impacts they are expecting, and what community resources they can rely on to look after each other when impacts hit.
They helped communities and individuals participate in the Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into Climate Resilience, and supported community members to attend inquiry hearings across the state!
Thanks to the Act On Climate collective, over a third of community submissions to the inquiry backed the call for a Victorian Community Climate Adaptation fund!
Central Vic, North East Vic & Melbourne Call for Funding Climate Adaptation
The last three Climate Resilience Inquiry hearings were held in Melbourne, Mount Macedon, and Wangaratta. Community members gathered outside all three to show support for government funding of community-led climate adaptation.
Read more about the climate impact concerns of people from Central Vic, North East Vic, and Melbourne, as well as the actions and solutions locals are calling for, on our blog.
Garage Sale Fundraiser
Support us by coming and grabbing a bargain at our Garage Sale Fundraiser on Saturday 7 December at Friends of the Earth HQ in Collingwood. More info here.
We are self sustaining, independent and never accept money from political parties, big banks, or extractive industries. Fundraisers and memberships provide vital campaign resources for us to continue campaigning.
Last Adaptation Activators Online Call of the Year
With this summer forecast to possibly be one of the hottest on record, we're doing a deep dive into adaptations for heat impacts/heatwaves.
We'll share examples of initiatives to keep people safe and consider how we can help those most at risk.
On these calls, we share resources and ideas to build resilience locally to keep our communities safe.
RSVP to this Adaptation Activator call on Thurs, 5 December at 6pm.
Save the Date:
Climate Adaptation Fair
A Climate Adaptation Fair is coming to town! It will showcase community-led climate adaptation through stalls, workshops, and talks.
More info soon! In the meantime, save the date!: 8 February 2025 at Borderlands Co-op in Footscray.
Keen to be involved in some way? Let us know! We want a wide range of stalls and speakers. Reach out to us with your ideas.
COME TO THE CLIMATE ADAPTATION FAIR
Summer Reading
Some adaptation-related reads and climate fiction for your summer reading list:
- The Ministry for the Future - Kim Stanley Robinson
- The Deluge - Stephen Markley
- The Walkaway - Cory Doctorow
- Climate Resilience - Kylie Flanagan
- Everything for Everyone: The Radical Tradition that Is Shaping the Next Economy - Nathan Schneider
- The Care Manifesto: The politics of interdependence - The Care Collective
- Mutual Aid: Building Solidarity During This Crisis - Dean Spade
Lend Your Voice: Help Protect Victoria's Trees
According to Make Victoria Greener, Victoria's trees are being subject to excessive tree trimming and removal due to outdated tree management practices, even when safer, science-based alternatives are available. Read more here.
Help protect Victoria’s tree canopy by reaching out to your local MP and council.
Stay safe this summer! Look after each other.
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:
- India Rowles: [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.