Media and Messaging

Facilitator: Tim Hollo, advisor to Greens Senator Christine Milne

In order to make change, we need to tell a story that speaks to people's values. And it is not enough just to tell a story; we need to amplify it. This requires navigating through the filters of the media. Come along to learn to communicate your message effectively through the channels of the mainstream media, learn to give an effective interview; and develop strong messaging.

Understanding International Negotiations

Faciliated by Georgina Woods, International Coordinator, Climate Action Network Australia

 The only way we can avoid dangerous climate change and its impacts is by undertaking mitigation and adaptation simultaneously around the world. Getting rapid and effective climate action happening in Australia is hard enough: spare a thought for just how tricky it is to push recalcitrant governments and businesses around the world to do it. If you have questions about what happened in Copenhagen, what’s going to happen internationally this year, and what Australian activists and campaigners are doing about it, come along and find (some) answers, and many more questions.

Alternatives to the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme

Last year the Climate Action Summit resolved to oppose the government's Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme, and since that time many groups and individuals have been working on alternative policies. This workshop will give participants an overview of three of these proposals: the Greens interim carbon price (presented by Tim Hollo, The Greens), Plan B, a proposal from a group of non government organisations (Cate Faerhmann from the New South Wales Conservation Council), and direct investment in renewable energy (Chris Breen, Save Solar Systems campaign).

Building our base: strategies for organising existing and new people

Facilitated by Kate Lee (Australian Services Union)

In this workshop we will look at some key strategies for growth and activism of members within organisations (as well as reaching out to new people) using some of strategies developed in the last 15 years by Australian unions and community organising strategies used overseas.

Sustainable Activism

Facilitator: Holly Hammond, the Change Agency

 Climate activism can be challenging and emotionally demanding. This workshop encourages activists to prioritise their health and happiness while working for change. Includes: reflecting on current practices; developing an understanding of stress and burn-out; sharing strategies and resources for self-care, and support; and tips for setting up climate action groups to reduce the likelihood of burn-out.

NB this workshop sometimes involves a level of emotional sharing. This is natural and welcome, and anything disclosed will be treated confidentially.

Critiques of carbon trading, technology and the growth economy

Facilitated by: James Goodman, Rebecca Pearse, Rick Flowers, Climate Action Research Group

The workshop questions the role of markets and technology in climate policy. How are climate movements approaching these big questions of climate policy? Are market incentives the best way of reducing emissions: can direct measures be more effective?  Can renewable technology decouple growth from
carbon dependence? If growth is the problem, what does sufficiency look like, beyond consumer society? The workshop draws on outcomes of the 5 March Sydney conference on climate action.

“That population growth is not an important factor in climate change? - the arguments for and against"

Faciliated by Annie Nielsen from ParraCAN 

Simon Butler and one other speaker will present views in the affirmative and Tom Gosling and Mark O’Connor, author of ‘Overloading Australia’ will present views in the negative. With population and the environment being an issue discussed in the media lately this should be a lively workshop. After the debate the participants will together decide on a population policy to take to the plenary.

Sorting fact from fission: Can nuclear power solve climate change?

 Presented by Dr Jim Green (Friends of the Earth Australia), Natalie Wasley (Beyond Nuclear Initiative) and Natalie Lowrey (Conservation Council WA).

 There is a worldwide push by governments and nuclear industry advocates to brand nuclear power as a ‘clean, green’ solution to the climate crisis. But what contribution can nuclear power realistically make to climate change abatement? What assumptions go into those calculations? How does nuclear power compare to renewable energy alternatives? Can renewables supply 24/7 baseload power? How does the threat of nuclear warfare (and nuclear winter) compare to the threat of global warming? Should we support nuclear power as a 'bridging' energy source? Do 'generation 4' reactors solve some or all of the problems with existing reactors?  The nuclear push has huge ramifications for Aboriginal and remote communities in Australia, who are increasingly being targeted for uranium exploration, mining and waste dumping. This workshop will also examine the environmental and social impacts of the industry and highlight the ongoing resistance from affected people.

Justice, ethics and organising the climate movement

Facilitated by: Rick Flowers. Rebecca Pearse, James Goodman, Climate Action Research Group

The workshop centres on the questions of what we are ‘for’ and how we get there. What are the values of the climate movement? If we believe in climate justice, what does that mean, locally and globally? How do movements campaign for these values? What is the place of  public education, advocacy, organising, agitation? The workshop draws on outcomes of the 5 March Sydney conference on climate action.

Climate litigation

Facilitators: Keely Boom of the Australian Climate Justice Program (ACJP), Felicity Millner of the Environmental Defender’s Office (EDO).

The workshop will discuss the pros and cons of litigation, assist campaign groups to put in place objectives for using climate litigation, and increase understanding and engagement by campaign groups in climate litigation. Topics will include Australian case studies, recent developments in US climate litigation and what is involved with bringing a case.

The faith scene - strengths and opportunities

Facilitator: Miriam Pepper, Australian Religious Response to Climate Change

The presenter/s will outline how various faith communities have demonstrated an interest in climate change. The emphasis  will be on the scene in Australia. They will introduce the Australian Religious Response to Climate Change (ARRCC) and strategies ARRCC employs to inspire action, both at a local level by raising awareness and reducing carbon footprints, and through lobbying. Participants will be invited to reflect on why faith communities in their local areas may be interested in participating in actions, and how they might be engaged.

Protecting forests: how do we get it right?

Facilitators: Gemma Tillack, The Wilderness Society, Ellen Roberts, Friends of the Earth Australia

The workshop will explore why protecting forests and reducing emissions from deforestation and logging in developed and developing countries is vital to solving climate change problem. It will present a critique of the current efforts to reduce forest emissions, including the REDD mechanism, and outline and discuss the priorities for forest and climate policies and what safeguards are required to get it right.

Organising for the election in your community

Facilitator: Damien Lawson, Coordinator of the Victorian Climate Action Centre.

The Federal election will be an important opportunity to comunicate the messages of the climate movement. It is also a time when we can grow our local groups by using the election as a platfomr to organise in our community. This workshop will look at community organising and other tactics that local climate groups can use in their community leading up to the Federal election. We will share examples of sucessful tactics used by climate groups across the country.

There will also be opportunity to work in small groups to hothouse ideas for election plans that can be used by your local group.