Information on Yarra's response to the climate emergency including actions we can take as individuals and as groups to bring about change.
We recognise the climate emergency presents an unprecedented challenge, one where incremental change or a business-as-usual response is inadequate.
Our Climate Emergency Plan sets out our response to the climate emergency, including our role in bringing the community together and building capacity to work together for change.
We're not alone in recognising the scale of the climate emergency. Over 1,600 governments across 30 countries representing more than 820 million people have declared a climate emergency.
There are many actions we can take as individuals and as part of our neighbourhoods, families, workplaces, friendship circles and community networks to bring about change.
Read more in each section below.
We offer training, activities and events to build community skills for climate action and assist people to make low emission lifestyle choices.
The ‘Money Talks, Money Walks: divesting from fossil fuels’ webinar with Market Forces and Ethical Investment Services explores divestment and how to engage with banks, superannuation and insurance companies to align your financial behaviour with your values.
The Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility (ACCR) discusses how to use a small shareholding to influence big polluting companies in their webinar.
There are many sources of credible information on the science of the climate crisis. These include:
Through conversations with family, friends, neighbours and colleagues you can discuss your concerns about the climate emergency. Talking to someone you trust (and who trusts you) helps you both process complex and confronting information and share your feelings. It also gives you an opportunity to talk about potential responses and collective action.
Get Up, Australian Conservation Foundation and Climate for Change host climate conversations or provide training and information about how to have conversations.
We hosted a ‘Climate conversations’ webinar that featured speakers from Common Cause, Australian Conservation Foundation and Climate for Change on how to hold effective conversations about the climate crisis to motivate others to take action.
You can join a climate strike and/or write to or request to meet with Members of Parliament to demand stronger climate policy and action.
There are many groups across the City of Yarra (and Melbourne) taking action on the climate emergency, such as:
Australian Conservation Foundation (Inner Melbourne Group)
Encourage your family, friends, neighbours and colleagues to join too!
There are many organisations leading climate and environmental campaigns to reduce carbon emissions, strengthen environmental laws and protect forests and waterways including:
Reduce your carbon emissions by reducing your energy use, buying 100% renewable energy, embracing a plant-based diet and divesting your bank and superannuation funds from fossil fuels.
Many organisations offer advice about just how to do this including:
Regenerating our natural world and restoring a safe climate is going to take perseverance, patience, collaboration and strong communities – none of which we can foster without first connecting and caring for ourselves and each other.
In this webinar Environment Victoria's Communications Coordinator shares tips to help get your message right and how to use social media platforms and other digital opportunities to increase awareness.
Connect with local people, volunteer or visit sustainable spaces.
3000 acres empowers communities with the skills and knowledge to grow fresh healthy food, transforms underutilised land into food growing spaces and influences the regulatory environment to make it easier to grow food in more places.
Abbotsford River Bankers advocates for and nurtures the Yarra riverlands in Abbotsford.
Collingwood Children's Farm offers country experiences to city people with educational activities, community events and more.
Cultivating Community is a not-for-profit organisation working with diverse and low-income communities to create fair, secure and resilient food systems. They support public housing community gardens, community food centres, school food gardens, cooking classes and have volunteering opportunities for the community.
Friends of Merri Creek is a community group that is working to restore and protect the Merri Creek. The Friends organise regular creek-side activities and encourage community participation in regenerating the Creek.
Merri Creek Management Committee is an environmental coordination and management agency working to restore and preserve the ecological health of the Merri Creek.
Neighbourhood Houses and Learning Centres provide a variety of programs and activities for local communities. They offer services to help you live more sustainably, such as compost hubs, gardens, workshops, clothes swaps, and places to recycle items such as phones and batteries.
Streets Alive Yarra is a resident and ratepayer action group with a vision for more trees, wider footpaths and vibrant businesses in thriving neighbourhoods.
Victorian Indigenous Nursery Cooperative is community owned and run for over 30 years and is passionate about locally indigenous plants and habitat.
Yarra Bicycle User Group promotes urban cycling through supporting campaigns to improve cycling conditions, raises awareness of sustainable transport issues and encourages people to join in the fun of bicycle riding.
Yarra Climate Action Now (YCAN) is a local climate action group who want to see much stronger action on climate change.
Yarra Energy Foundation (YEF) is an independent, Council funded organisation working towards a zero-carbon future in Yarra. YEF delivers energy efficiency and renewable energy programs to support households, schools, community groups and businesses.
Yarra Riverkeeper monitors the health of the Yarra River and keep track of the many activities affecting it. They run river tours and give presentations to educate students, community groups, government and businesses.
Electrify Yarra is a community group supporting the community to get off gas and experience the benefits of electrification.