It has been a difficult time for the community. Yet our movement has shown incredible resolve and commitment to climate action in the face of these challenges.
Friends of the Earth's Act on Climate collective has been keeping a watchful eye on the state of play. We're making sure that—despite the Federal government's refusal to act—Victoria's steps to tackle the climate crisis are bigger and bolder than ever.
Here’s a quick update on our efforts over the last month...
LAUNCHING A NEW CAMPAIGN - THE PEOPLE'S CLIMATE STRATEGY:
Act on Climate has championed the call for science-based Emissions Reduction Targets for years now. We're not going to sit idle while we wait for the targets announcement. We're getting started on the next phase of our campaign: The People's Climate Strategy.
Join us on Wednesday 2 June for the campaign launch featuring special guest speakers Kate Auty (former Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability), Neil Morris (Yorta Yorta artist, musician, and activist), Mark Ogge (The Australia Institute and Beyond Zero Emissions), and more.
The Victorian government is required by law to complete a Climate Change Strategy by October 31 this year. But with the government busy leading the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, there's a risk the strategy won't receive the attention it deserves.
Act on Climate will enlist the support of community climate champions and allies to write a People's Climate Change Strategy to deliver to the state government. We need your help in coming months to ensure it's robust, capable of getting us to zero emissions as-soon-as-possible, and leaves no Victorian behind.
CLICK HERE to register and get the login link for the online event.
PUTTING CLIMATE IMPACTS ON THE AGENDA:
Act on Climate's work with coastal communities over the last year and a half is paying off. Just one week after sounding the alarm about the impact of rising sea levels on Inverloch and Apollo Bay in The Age, the Andrews government announced $11 million worth of funding to help communities tackle coastal erosion.
The government's media release acknowledged this coastal erosion as a climate impact, with Minister for Climate Change Lily D'Ambrosio stating that "our precious coastline is facing significant climate challenges and we’re working hard to address this in the short and long term."
While the government's response is a step forward on climate and funding to support communities is welcome, we have more work to do to shift the government from 'band-aid' responses to preventative measures such as ambitious Emissions Reduction Targets. Our full response is available here.
We're continuing to deepen our work with communities on the frontline of climate impact. A donation will help us to continue this high-impact work.
ONLINE FORUM SUCCESS - VIC CLIMATE SOLUTIONS: 
Act on Climate joined forces with the Yes 2 Renewables collective to host a well-attended forum on Victorian climate solutions. With bad news stories blanketing the media coverage, we thought it was time to showcase some of the good news stories happening right here in Victoria.
We were pleased to have Peter Marriot of Osmi detail the proposal for a wind farm in the Latrobe Valley; Kristina Yan of Neoen to update us on the community-led solar farm in northern Victoria; and Penny Howard of the Maritime Union of Australia to outline the benefits of a jobs-rich offshore wind energy sector.
CLICK HERE to watch the forum.
ACTION ANNOUNCED - VIRTUAL PADDLE OUT TO STOP OFFSHORE GAS: 
Polluting companies are desperate to drill for gas & oil in the coastal waters of southwest Victoria. They're prepared to put their profit ahead of the community and our climate.
If we're to have any chance of keeping global warming below 1.5°C, then governments must rule out new fossil fuels... And that includes fossil gas!
We're supporting Friends of the Earth's call for Premier Dan Andrews to rule out offshore gas on Victoria's spectacular southwest coast. You can too.
Join the No New Gas Virtual Paddle Out on World Oceans Day (Mon 8 June).
ACT ON CLIMATE'S END-OF-FINANCIAL-YEAR APPEAL:
The end of the financial year has arrived. And Act on Climate will be calling for supporters to give generously to keep us on the campaign trail.
We have a huge impact despite running on the smell of an empty muesli-bar wrapper. Over the last year we have built huge momentum for the Andrews government to set science-based Emission Reduction Targets. We're poised to do it again for the state's first Climate Change Strategy with the People's Climate Strategy (see above for the launch event).
Please CLICK HERE to make a tax-deductible donation and keep your eyes peeled for some fun fundraising events in coming weeks.
EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST - CLIMATE GRIEF DISCUSSION GROUP:
Act on Climate collective member Liz Wade will run the Good Grief Network's program, 10 Steps to Personal Resilience and Empowerment in a Chaotic Climate, in the second half of the year with all proceeds donated to the campaign.
The program provides a nurturing safe space to engage with the heavy feelings many are now experiencing, such as climate grief or eco-anxiety. The '10 steps' allow for deep exploration, sharing and connection, as together the group brings words and understanding to our shared and varied experiences, and the opportunity to explore ways to take care of ourselves and others.
If you're interested in participating, please email [email protected] with the subject heading 'Good Grief' and we'll be in touch.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
There are plenty of informative online events coming up in June and beyond. We'd love to see you at the following:
- June 2-Aug 6 - Rapid Response to Emissions Reduction Targets announcement
- June 3 - Launch of the People's Climate Strategy for Victoria
- June 8 - No New Gas Virtual Paddle Out
- June 8-12 - Friends of the Earth Melbourne Membership Drive
- June 15 - Global Wind Energy Day
And remember, you're always welcome to join us for our weekly Act on Climate meetings which we're now holding online via Zoom (Mondays at 6pm).
That's all from us for now. See you on the (virtual) campaign trail...