ABOUT CLIMATE ACTION TEAM
We are a group of ordinary citizens from many backgrounds committed to advocating for and initiating climate action in our community. We are an incorporated, not-for-profit and politically unaffiliated association, supported by donations and grants. CAT is managed entirely by volunteers with a Steering Committee which meets fortnightly. We welcome all who would like to work with us.
OUR VISION
The Climate Action Team is motivated by the evidence of climate science. While we share a common fear about the consequences of 'business as usual', we believe that all-of-society urgent action is still possible to reduce emissions and prevent an environmental and social catastrophe. We work to empower people and to influence our local government to protect our land, waterways and biodiversity for a healthy and flourishing future.
OUR PURPOSE
Guided by the science, our purpose is to: encourage, support and facilitate the transition away from the fossil-fuel based status quo, and enhance biodiversity protection in our shire, in pursuit of a liveable environment into the future.
OUR VALUES
A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT: take care of the natural environment, including its land, waterways, air and biodiversity for the benefit of all species and future generations.
SCIENCE AND REASON: use evidence-based science and reason to formulate policies and actions.
COMRADESHIP: work together respectfully and inclusively in non-violent, peaceful ways to accomplish the changes needed.
CAMPAIGNS & ACHIEVEMENTS
Gellibrand Market
Township meetings with speakers including youth and local MP in Colac and Gellibrand led to call for Petition – late 2019
Team and supporters gather 3,249 actual signatures on Petition to requesting Colac Otway Shire
(COS) Council May 2020 to “acknowledge the climate and biodiversity crisis” (voted down)
Team member Susan Langridge runs for Council and lands a few votes short – October 2020
Fridays for the Future in Memorial Square – 18 months from summer 2020
Research and submit to council “A Call for Action for a Climate and Biodiversity Action Plan” with 67
actions – June 2021
Protest alongside OCEAN (Otway Climate Emergency Action Network) against seismic blasting – from March 2021
Co-hosted with LAWROC (Land and Water Resources Otway Catchment Landcare) Forrest event “One Hundred Years of Environmental Damage” – March 2022
Ran Wannon Candidates Forum + ads in Colac Herald – March – May 2022
Energy Efficiency Forum COPAC with Colac Otway Shire grant – Sept 2022
Ran Polwarth Candidates Forum – October 2022
Team calls for a Climate Change Action Plan – from early 2023
Council acknowledges the climate and biodiversity crisis – May 2023
Calls to electrify Bluewater Leisure Centre (Council’s largest emissions’ source) – from Sept. 2023
Calls for council to provide extreme weather options for residents – from Sept. 2023
Urban Greening project with nationally regarded Urban Forester Meg Caffin begins, with grant from
COS – October 2023 – Final Report January 2024
Council endorses Climate Change Action Plan 2023-33 + Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2023-33
Lobbying council to cut red tape for local urban greening
Much lobbying leads to Council applying for matched federal funding for Bluewater – March 2024
Climate Cafes with a focus on adaptation – series of 3 run throughout local townships – from May
2024
Collaboration with Central Otway Landcare Network to host “Getting the Dirt on Carbon” workshop
series to explore on-farm carbon cycle and sequestration with experts – from March 2025
Collaboration with Climate Action Network Australia to run “Bushfire in the Colac-Otway Region”
forum at COPAC with speakers including Emergency Leader for Climate Greg Mullins – April 2025
Team issues pre-Federal election publicity for politicians to take climate action – April 2025
Response to National Climate Risk Assessment in Colac Herald
Fridays for the Future
