tailieunhanh - COMMUNITY CLIMATE ACTION AN AUSTRALIAN GUIDE

The earth’s atmosphere is made up of a delicately balanced layer of ‘greenhouse gases’. This layer acts like a blanket, trapping enough heat to sustain life. Humans are burning huge amounts of fossil fuels – adding more and more greenhouse gases to the atmosphere and making this blanket thicker. This traps more and more heat, warming the globe and throwing our climate into chaos. Climate change is already underway. The most recent (2007) report of the world’s most authoritative body of climate scientists, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)1, confi rmed that:2. | JW COMMUNITY CLIMATE ACTION AN AUSTRALIAN GUIDE Right now Australians from all walks of life are coming together to help reduce Australia s contribution to climate change. Action starts at home but there s only so much we can do as individuals or families. To avoid dangerous climate change we ll need larger scale action - led by government. That s why communities around Australia are teaming up to ask their political leaders to do the right thing. They re also learning how to work with their local media and encourage others in their community to get on board. The Australian Conservation Foundation hopes this booklet provides a helpful guide to community climate action in Australia. Published by the Australian Conservation Foundation First published July 2007 Updated September 2008 Reproduction in whole or in part may only occur with the written permission of the published. For more information on the content of this booklet please contact Phil Freeman - Climate Campaigner Australian Conservation Foundation Phone 02 8270 9909 Mobile 0438 043 049 Tollfree 1800 332 510 Email 2 COMMUNITY CLIMATE ACTION AN AUSTRALIAN GUIDE CONTENTS Climate Change - the nuts and bolts 4 Climate change - the problem 4 What is Australia s contribution to the problem 4 The future is in our hands 5 What will happen if we don t take action 5 How can we solve the climate crisis 5 Australia s natural role - a leader on climate change 6 Leadership from Government 6 Why should Australia be a leader 6 True leadership on climate change means. 7 Some useful facts and figures 10 Action at home Case study simple savings at home 11 Making your voice heard - by those who represent you 13 Step 1. Pick up the phone 13 Step 2. Get Ready Preparing to visit your MP 13 Step 3. Do it How to make the meeting a success 14 Step 4 After the meeting - feedback and follow-up 14 Talking to politicians - common questions and answers 15 Let the media be your messenger 17