Halting damage to our climate requires new laws at every level of government, which requires politicians to take the issue seriously. As Katerina Gaita says in Issue 52 of Dumbo Feather, “In the end, politicians have to feel that if they don’t act on this, they can’t survive as a politician. They can’t get elected. It’s as unacceptable to support fossil fuels as it would be to put a cigarette vending machine next to a school…We have to be able to engage with the issue as citizens by talking to our politicians and putting pressure on institutions.”

As citizens, we have the power to shape political opinion beyond voting every three years. We can book an appointment to speak to our State and/or Federal MP. We can also make change from the inside by joining a political party, and getting involved with a group within the party that advocates for stronger climate action. A surprisingly small number of people can influence pre-selections and party decisions. In Australia, Labor has some good climate policies, but still a way to go. The Liberals and the Nationals have far too many climate blockers, so they really need people advocating inside them for change. The Greens have the best climate policies, but the fewest elected representatives. (And unfortunately, no, you can’t join all three.)

ACT NOW

• Join a political party and/or a climate action sub-group.
• If you join the Liberals or Nationals, get involved with Conservatives for Conservation.
• If you join Labor, get involved with Labor Environment Action Network.
• If you join the Greens, you don’t need to join a sub-group because the whole party is, well…Green