When it comes to action on climate, November 2020 will be remembered as an EPIC month. The community and the state government is building momentum for Victorian climate leadership. And PM Scott Morrison is starting to crack under the pressure.
Here’s a quick update on our efforts over the last month and upcoming actions...
100 LAPS ENDURANCE FEAT SENDS GOVT A POWERFUL MESSAGE ON CLIMATE:
On Thursday 26 November, Act on Climate cycled 100 laps of Parliament House to put the community's call for Victorian climate leadership on the Andrews govt's radar. And that's exactly what we achieved.
The 100km endurance feat helped us secure a meeting with a delegation of Labor government MPs. Thanks to Meng Heang Tak, Chris Brayne, Kat Theophanous, Gary Maas, and Katie Hall for meeting with the relay team and promising to deliver our key message to Premier Dan Andrews:
"When it comes to Emissions Reduction Targets, Victoria needs a climate champion, not a climate coward."
Thanks also to Ministers Jill Hennessy, Ben Carroll, Jaclyn Symes, and Cabinet Secretary Mary-Anne Thomas for saying g'day, and Greens member Tim Read MP for joining us for a lap.
The endurance feat also raised over $6,000 to help keep Act on Climate on the campaign trail in 2021. A massive thank you to the relay team and all those who generously donated to the cause.
CLICK HERE to watch a video as we kicked off the relay.
DAY OF ACTION SHOWCASES COMMUNITY EXPECTATIONS ON CLIMATE TARGETS:
On Sunday 29 November, community members across the state participated in a Day of Action on Victoria's Climate Targets.
Those who participated nominated the Emissions Reduction Targets they'd like to see Premier Andrews deliver.
The government's imminent decision on the targets is a nationally significant moment in climate policy.
Targets that are bold and ambitious will accelerate the rollout of renewables, drive more investment towards Public Transport, require greater protection of native forests, and help prevent worsening climate impacts.
CLICK HERE to take a look at the online photo gallery.
WIN FOR OUR CLIMATE - VICTORIA'S BUDGET INVESTS IN CLEAN RECOVERY: 
The Andrews government’s 2020-21 budget will deliver a clean recovery for Victoria with a record $1.6 billion to accelerate the renewable energy transition and over $5 billion for Public Transport.
In contrast to the Morrison government’s budget, which failed to deliver climate and energy initiatives, the Victorian Labor government has made renewable energy and energy efficiency a key pillar of the state’s economic recovery.
Read our responses to the Budget, the record energy efficiency package, investment in the Suburban Rail Loop, and energy innovation fund that will kickstart a jobs-rich offshore wind industry in Victoria.
The logical next step for the government is to act decisively on climate.
CLICK HERE to email the Premier to acknowledge the Clean Recovery and call for science-based Emissions Reduction Targets.
PEOPLE'S CLIMATE STRATEGY UPDATE:
November saw us pass a milestone in our People’s Climate Strategy for Victoria project: We gathered over 1,000 surveys responses to our climate impacts and solutions surveys.
Community members from every corner of the state have shared vital information with us.
We've recorded details of climate impacts that are already occurring and captured creative ideas for what the Victorian government can do in response. We have sent a briefing on the interim findings to all Victorian Labor and Greens MPs to summarises the results so far.
Keep your eyes peeled for the next stage of the People’s Climate Strategy for Victoria that will be launched soon...
SCOMO STARTING TO CRACK UNDER CLIMATE PRESSURE: 
Prime Minister Scott Morrison may have ignored our open letter calling for increased ambition on climate & jobs, but it's clear he saw it and felt compelled to cede ground.
The Morrison government has ruled out using so-called "Kyoto carry-over credits"—also known as cheating—to meet its meagre 2030 Emissions Reduction Target.
Global efforts to tackle the climate crisis have gained fresh momentum in 2020. The globe’s largest economies and Australia’s largest trading partners have ramped up commitments to cut emissions ahead of next year's COP26 meeting in Glasgow. The Morrison government is facing direct pressure from the UK government to lift Australia's ambition ahead of that crucial meeting.
Our efforts in Victoria can ensure that the Federal government feels pressure on the home front.
'GOOD GRIEF' WORKSHOPS CULTIVATE RESILIENCY:
Act on Climate stalwarts Liz Wade, Sarah Powers, and Will Hargreaves co-facilitated a ten-week workshop series exploring climate grief and cultivating personal resiliency strategies. The sessions received positive feedback and have no doubt enhanced the resiliency of the broader Act on Climate community.
"We expanded our understanding that there are many different ways we can show up and invest in meaningful efforts," said lead facilitator Liz Wade.
Would you like to participate in Goof Grief workshops in 2021?... If so, email [email protected] with "Good Grief" as the subject line.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
There are plenty of informative online events coming up in December. We'd love to see you at the following:- Dec 5 - Bruce Pascoe: The Climate Emergency & Indigenous Land Practice, Green Left Weekly
- Dec 8 - Kickstarting Offshore Wind, Friends of the Earth Melb
- Dec 9 - 'I am Greta' - Documentary & Panel Discussion, Friends of the Earth Melb
And remember, you're always welcome to join us for our weekly Act on Climate meetings.
We'll be returning on Monday 11 January for a mid-summer check in and resuming weekly meetings online from 1 February. Please email [email protected] for the Zoom info.
That's all from us for now. See you on the campaign trail...