Intro and Process
One of the objectives of the inaugural summit was to develop at least one campaign that community climate action groups could work on together in 2009. Through the campaign strategy and development stream we fulfilled this objective. The process included an open stream over three days, which more than 100 people participated in, with a report back and consensus building decision-making session at the end of each day with the whole summit. Together we as a summit agreed to a vision for what we want to achieve together, three campaign objectives for 2009 and six common tactics to co-ordinate nationally during 2009. There was more detailed planning and discussion which is being honed into a campaign development stream outcomes document, that will be made available on this website.
Our Vision
We face a climate emergency. Our vision is to work together at emergency speed to restore in a just way a safe climate in time for all people, all species and all generations.
Our 2009 Campaign objectives
- To prevent the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) from becoming law.
- Build community-wide action to demand green jobs, a just transition and 100% renewable energy by 2020.
- To build community support for a goal of stabilisation at 300ppm CO2 and strong international agreement in line with what science and global justice demands. To communicate this position to Copenhagen Conference of Parties, and advocate for the Australian government to adopt that position.
We note that these objectives were not agreed to with complete consensus, with a few key points of dissent being noted. However, we did not have to fall to a majority vote - dissenters either abstained or were satisfied with having their dissent noted. These points of dissent can be found in detail in the outcomes document on this website.
Tactics
We agreed we need to come up with a slogan or name for this campaign that would be strongly branded and well communicated, but not owned by any one group. The slogan/name has yet to be agreed to but we had some discussion at the summit. We agreed that all tactics should seek to build the capacity of climate action groups, and that we should utilise a diversity of tactics to engage different types of people to achieve our objectives. Based on these ideas, we came up with five nationally co-ordinated moments for actions during 2009, and at least two key initiatives or tools to be utilised across Australia.
The key initiatives include:
- A Petition for a Safe and Just Climate Future to build in the lead-up to the Copenhagen International Climate Negotiations
- Campaign manual for climate action groups. Manual to include information/fact sheets on the three objectives, including safe and just climate information, tips, tools and tactics for community engagement, building this campaign in your community and talking to people and getting them involved.
Actions Timeline
- March 27 and the day after Rudd tables the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) legislation in the Lower House of Parliament - Actions at Corporate Offices and MP's offices calling for their opposition to the CPRS
- June 6 - World Environment Day - Rallies in each major city and actions in regional areas launching the 100% Renewables by 2020 campaign
- Mid September to coincide with the peak melt of the Arctic Summer Sea Ice (and school holidays) - 3-day Climate Direct Action Camps at polluting infrastructure in each state
- In the week leading up to and during the Copenhagen International Climate Negotiations - Actions in communities across the country.
Other Tactics
There were many other tactics and initiatives brainstormed at the summit - a comprehensive list of these can be found in the outcomes document. Some key ideas that have momentum behind them include ways to engage local governments in this campaign, and union and workers' engagement including organising conferences with unions and climate action groups.
Get involved
These objectives won't be reached without you. We invite you to get involved. Some ways you can do that:
Join your local Climate Action Group or start your own
Help organise one or many of the actions outlined above, through joining one of the regional organising working groups that are in the process of being established as part of the national network - email actions[at]climatesummit [dot] org [dot] au to express your interest.
Help build and develop this campaign including the petition and campaign manual by joining the campaign working group we are in the process of establishing as part of the national network - email campaigns[at]climatesummit [dot] org [dot] au to express your interest and find out more.
Contact Geoff Evans - geoffrey [dot] r [dot] evans[at]bigpond [dot] com or Holly Creenaune - hollycreenaune[at]gmail [dot] com to get more involved in the Unions and Just Transitions initiatives being developed out of the summit.
Keep checking www.climatesummit.org.au in the next week for more information about the climate summit campaign outcomes including contact details for people working on different tactics and initiatives.