Community action
Energy permeates every aspect of our lives. Individual and community actions will be needed in order to confront the challenges posed by climate change, and will underpin a more sustainable way of living. MEFL wants to help build resilient communities which are equipped to respond to these challenges and which continue to flourish in a changing environment.
Energy permeates every aspect of our lives. Individual and community actions will be needed in order to confront the challenges posed by climate change, and will underpin a more sustainable way of living. MEFL wants to help build resilient communities which are equipped to respond to these challenges and which continue to flourish in a changing environment.
Communities are taking seriously their responsibility to address climate change. People are taking action, individually – for example, by installing insulation or changing to more sustainable modes of transport – and communally through the formation of organisations such as climate action groups and “sustainability streets”. Climate action must cross boundaries, with people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, youth, elders, the unemployed, renovators, renters and everyone in between working to ensure future generations inherit a safe and healthy planet. Communities are leading by example and are frustrated by policy inaction.
MEFL believes that individuals and communities can be better equipped to deal with climate change through active engagement in programs. Information alone will not produce the step-change required to move to a sustainable path. We need programs that work with communities to stimulate behaviour change and encourage sustainable and equitable community development.
Policy opportunities
- Fund a comprehensive behaviour change program to be delivered alongside the One Million Homes campaign so that residents are able to take full advantage of their retrofitted homes.
- Ensure that all government policies relating to sustainability and climate change are accompanied, where appropriate, by well-funded and lasting behaviour change strategies.
