We want to extend our deep solidarity with those affected by the devastating fires that occurred across Victoria last week. Our thoughts are with everyone affected by these fires. We're collating resources from the ground and ideas on grassroots initiatives for people to support. Please add any missing in the comments so we can amplify local needs.

And the mental health impacts should also not be underestimated. This includes that of those directly impacted by the bushfires through having to evacuate, loss of property, or their travel being impacted, as well as people not directly impacted by a bushfire event. People living thousands of kilometres away also experience solastalgia and poor mental health following bushfires. We have also included resources for mental health wellbeing below.

There may still be future fires this season, with more hot weather forecast for late January, bringing with it an increased fire risk. We encourage everyone in fire‑prone areas to ensure their bushfire survival plan is up to date and to have conversations in their community about how the community as a whole can prepare.

Solidarity through mutual aid ensures that we support communities directly during climate disasters. Below is a collection some grassroots initiatives you can support, as well as support available for those affected.

If you're donating, please consider the functionality of items and the context they're being received in, to ensure you're adding value rather than hindering the recovery. Make direct donations via the links below. Please send additions for this list to [email protected].

On Saturday, 6 December 2025, a devastating bushfire swept through Koolewong, Phegans Bay, and Woy Woy Bay. The blaze was fuelled by extremely hot and windy conditions, spreading with alarming speed and burning more than 129 hectares. Tragically, over 16 homes were destroyed, and many others were damaged.

The impact of bushfire smoke should not be underestimated. Smoke from the Black Summer bushfires killed nearly 450 people and affected 80 per cent of the population. It harms human health even when the fire is burning hundreds of miles away. It can exacerbate health conditions like asthma and reduce lung function in ways that can worsen existing respiratory problems and even heart disease. If you’re in a susceptible group, decrease your exposure to smoke in the air.

And the mental health impacts should also not be underestimated. This includes that of those directly impacted by the bushfires through having to evacuate, loss of property, or their travel being impacted, as well as people not directly impacted by a bushfire event. People living thousands of kilometres away also experience solastalgia and poor mental health following bushfires.

With summer only just beginning, we may be facing a challenging bushfire season. We encourage everyone in fire‑prone areas to ensure their bush fire survival plan is up to date.

Solidarity through mutual aid ensures that we support communities directly during climate disasters. Here is a collection some grassroots initiatives you can support, as well as support available for those affected.

Solidarity with those affected by the devastating Grampians fire.

Victoria has faced one of its most dangerous fire days in years, with authorities evacuating people from areas in central and western regions. For more than a week, a fire has been burning in the Grampians National Park, with more than 74,000 hectares of bushland, roughly the size of Singapore, being scorched. “Considerable environmental damage” has been done and while thankfully no deaths have been reported and no houses had been lost yet, as of last night, the fires are still burning and this emergency is not yet over, with emergency management stating, they “wouldn’t be surprised” if houses were lost through this fire.

In February 2024, we wrote about Grampians communities experiencing out-of-control fires after what was the worst day for fire conditions since the Black Summer. Only nine months later, the Grampians has again faced "the worst bushfire conditions since 2019’s Black Summer".

In addition to wide environmental damage and large number of wildlife affected, the fire has damaged crops and beehives, reports from farmers indicate 100s of kms of fencing burnt and stock losses, and downed powerlines and towers providing mobile networks for emergency services, as well as Optus and NBN services.

The impact of bushfire smoke should not be underestimated. Smoke from the Black Summer bushfires killed nearly 450 people and affected 80 per cent of the population. It harms human health even when the fire is burning hundreds of miles away. It can exacerbate health conditions like asthma and reduce lung function in ways that can worsen existing respiratory problems and even heart disease. If you’re in a susceptible group, decrease your exposure to smoke in the air.

And the mental health impacts should also not be underestimated. This includes that of those directly impacted by the bushfires through having to evacuate, loss of property, or their travel being impacted, as well as people not directly impacted by a bushfire event. People living thousands of kilometres away also experience solastalgia and poor mental health following bushfires.

Solidarity through mutual aid ensures that we support communities directly during climate disasters. Here is a collection of resources and some grassroots initiatives you can support, as well as support available for those affected.

Friends of the Earth Bangaldesh AKA Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association or BELA, have made calls for an independent investigation into the shooting of coal plant workers by police back in April that left 7 people dead.

A person's gender and sexuality should not affect their access to marriage in Australia, nor should it impact their human rights in any other way.

Friends of the Earth stands in solidarity with the LGBTQI+ community in the face of this attack on your rights. We also recognise that there are many other significant struggles that LGBTQI+ identifying people face daily because of your gender or sexual identity.

The election of Donald Trump, the Brexit vote in the UK, and the continued rise of Right wing populist parties across western Europe is a huge concern for anyone who wants to see action on climate change and protection of the environment. Closer to home, the election of similar parties – notably Pauline Hanson’s One Nation – underscores how this worldview is gaining acceptance in the mainstream.

This requires progressive organisations to think about how they campaign.

Friends of the Earth Melbourne kicked off the first of our Summer Stalls at Stacks On Festival at CERES on Saturday 14 January. Over the summer, we’ll be visiting a number of festivals across Melbourne and surrounds to connect with new members and let people know about our new Act on Climate Campaign.

It is expected that the majority owners of the Hazelwood power station will make an announcement about the future of the plant later this week. Reports in the media have suggested it could be closed as soon as April next year.

Friends of the Earth has partnered with Ethical Switch for an 8 week fundraising campaign to focus on the impact that a household’s energy choices can make on the environment. The more we make the move to renewable energy, the more pressure is placed on the unconventional gas industry and the cleaner our country becomes.

Ethical Switch presents a comparison of all electricity providers within an area in terms of carbon emissions, renewable energy investment and customer satisfaction. By choosing one of their high rated providers, customers are directly supporting investment in renewable energy in Australia.

The Andrews government opened the first tranch of its New Energy Jobs Fund in Blackburn today. 

The launch comes in the lead up to the release of its Renewable Energy Action Plan that will set Victorian Renewable Energy Targets for 2020 and 2025.