Many people are worried about climate change but don’t know what they can do about it. The problem seems too big for individuals to be able to make a difference. But you can make a difference. As state and federal elections draw closer, it is the work of grassroots communities that will get climate change on the national and NSW agenda.

Here are just a few campaign ideas to help galvanise support in your local area and show people that there is something they can do about climate change.

Hold a social event like a film screening, trivia night, sporting match, concert or theatre show

• By holding a social event you can draw in people from the community who wouldn’t normally come to a public meeting
• Decide what type of event you do by what skills you have in the group – if you have a number of keen cricket players from the local team, consider a charity match to raise some funds for the group.  If you have some people from the local theatre group, put on a play.
• An event can be a really fun way to raise some funds for the group.  As well as charging a ticket price you can also hold raffles, auctions etc on the night.

Organise a community challenge and get people working together to a target

• For instance, you could aim to reduce greenhouse emissions in your town by 10% over the next year.  
• There are online calculators where you can determine your household greenhouse gas emissions.  Use these calculators to determine how much energy residents in your town use per household, then take measures to reduce that by switching to accredited zero emissions green power, changing to energy efficient appliances, car pooling etc.
• Get the local paper on board and create a central register measuring how much energy households have saved.
• If it is a success in your town you could challenge a neighbouring town to beat your record.

Lobby your local MPs

• Climate change won’t be an election campaign issue unless local MPs are hearing that their constituents are concerned.
• Write to your local state and federal MPs outlining what you want governments to do, and request a meeting with them.  For ideas on key points in your letter, go to resources.
• Respond to media stories as they come up by calling talkback radio and writing letters to the editor.
• When state and federal elections draw closer, organise a “meet the candidates forum” where all candidates are asked about what they will do on climate change if they are elected.

Organise a Walk Against Warming protest

• On November 4th 2006, many towns and cities around Australia organised protest walks called Walk Against Warming and over 95,000 people attended.
• Walk Against Warming is happening again in 2007, and you could organise one in your town, using the same logo and flier templates that have already been designed. Keep an eye out for the 2007 date here on Climate Movement.
• Register as an individual or group member of the climate movement community and share ideas with other people who are organising Walk Against Warming events in their town or city.
  

Run an urban underground campaign

• If you live in an urban area, you could run an urban underground campaign.
• First, decide what you main (very simple) message or slogan will be, then get out and spread the word.
• Some ways you can spread your message could be:
• Chalk messages on the street
• Stickers on pedestrian crossing buttons
• Posters or banners in people’s windows/balconies
• T-shirts
• Projections on buildings
• Bumper stickers
• Badges

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