Australian households generate a fifth of our greenhouse gases. But our small actions can lead to big improvements just by making some practical day-to-day changes.
Fight for Planet A
The ABC's Fight for Planet A series explores how we can all reduce our greenhouse gases in three key areas – energy, transport and food.
Get ready to Fight for Planet A
Darebin Council is dedicated to working with our community to take action on the climate emergency. We know that when we work together, we can achieve so much more and protect the health of people and the planet.
Most of us are concerned about the climate emergency, but many of us feel overwhelmed and don’t know where to start. Luckily, the ABC series ‘Fight for Planet A: Our Climate Challenge’ can provide some great tips! You can watch the series on ABC iView.
Fight for Planet A explores how we can save greenhouse gas emissions in three key areas – energy, transport and food – while also calling on our leaders to protect people and our planet.
Start the Darebin Community Climate Challenge
Below is a list of suggestions for how you can take action here in Darebin, grouped under the three themes.
Energy
Learn
- Go to ABC Your Planet for climate-related stories and resources
- Get all your Climate Change 101 questions answered with this Climate Council’s explainer
- Watch our video series about how Darebin businesses are saving energy
- Check out our Energy and Climate page for more tips and suggestions
- Subscribe to our Sustainable Darebin e-newsletter for all our events, workshops and tips
Do
- Review household utilities providers and consider investing in solar panels
- Make your home as energy efficient as possible
- Review your banking, superannuation etc. to ensure they are not supporting fossil fuels
Connect
- Join local climate groups or support campaigns to advocate for investment in renewable energy
- Consider hosting a Climate for Change conversation
Transport
Learn
- Check out our Sustainable Transport page for info about bikes, public transport, electric car stations and more
- Go to ABC Your Planet for climate-related stories and resources
- For more detailed info, the local Institute for Sensible Transport has some great modelling and information
- Check out our 'Darebin Loves Bikes' e-newsletter for bike tips and support
Do
- Review ways you could use your car less often – for example, by riding a bike, walking, using public transport
- Use Darebin’s Travel Smart maps to plan your routes
- Look at car share options or ebikes as alternatives to car ownership
- Where you need to drive, consider low emissions options such as electric cars
- Talk to your school about supporting active travel to school
- Get active on climate by writing to your local state MP to support investment in sustainable transport
Connect
- Support campaigns around investment in sustainable transport – for example, Friend of the Earth’s Sustainable Cities campaign
- Consider joining local groups such as Darebin Bicycle Users Group
Food
Learn
- Check out these great resources:
- Darebin Council Sustainable Food page featuring Backyard Harvest Stories videos
- Gardening in Hard Times videos on Kat Lavers's Facebook page
- Good Life Permaculture Crisis Gardening videos
- Sustainable Gardening Australia resources and workshops
- ABC Your Planet for climate-related stories and resources
- Subscribe to our Sustainable Darebin e-newsletter for all our events, workshops and tips
Do
- Grow your own organic food!
- Check out the gardening section of our website featuring our newly revised Sustainable Gardening Guide and Sow What When Guide
- Buy local seasonal produce and support your local farmers
- Alphington Farmers' Market
- Grow Source Eat veggie boxes
- CERES Fair Food veggie boxes
- Open Food Network
- Reduce your food waste and make sure any food scraps are composted, either:
- At home
- Via your council green bin
- Via Sharewaste or community compost hubs
- Think about the carbon-footprint of the foods you eat, try to reduce energy-intensive options and support sustainable options
- Check out our food fact sheet
- Check out Sustainable Table’s sustainable shopping guides
- Try Meat-free Monday to cut back on red meat
Connect
- Swap your homegrown produce at food swaps
Save and swap seed, get involved in our Darebin Seed Libraries and become a Seed Saver Champion!
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Join a community garden. Check out Darebin Food Harvest Network’s community garden map to find the garden closest to you
- Volunteer:
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DIVRS Urban Food Program
-
Lentil as Anything Thornbury
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Contact us
Need more information, or have some ideas for how we can support you to take action? Email us at climateemergency@darebin.vic.gov.au.
