I met Fiona Armstrong, a member of the Melbourne climate action group, Lighter Footprints, about a year ago. She was looking to develop an approach to community engagement on climate change that would work for people who might be confused by the current debate. And now she’s made it happen.
Last month Lighter Footprints ran their second Climate Conversations forum based on a package that she designed. It was held at a local school where students, parents and teachers joined in a program of presentations and discussion to learn more about the issue. The target group was local residents who don’t have access to information about climate change through their professions or through mainstream media. ‘People who might know a tiny bit about it and get information in bites. People who are disengaged but might be persuaded. People who are engaged but not active.’
An earlier forum in Hawthorn attracted around 80 people. They responded to flyers sent to every community group in the jurisdiction (Boorondara) and to lots of schools, and flyers displayed at Neighbourhood Centres, shops and farmers’ markets. The (then prospective) member for Kooyong, Josh Frydenberg thought he’d better be there, and brought along his staffers. Lighter Footprint pre-polled participants and discovered that 50% are already engaged with the issue. But the other 50% were new to it.
The trial of the forums has worked really well, and the EPA will now consider funding further forums in Victoria.
One of Fiona’s strongest influences on environmental issues was a book by David Suzuki ‘Good News for a Change’ and the Climate Conversations package* emphasises a positive solutions-focus. At the forums there were presentations from experts on the science, but also on what can be done at a societal level by business groups and individuals, and by government. Lighter Footprints members facilitated at each table.
Each participant had a workbook available to record ideas from the presentations and table group discussions, a vehicle for developing their own climate literacy. There was the opportunity to connect with other people and bounce ideas off each other. The style of engagement reflected Lighter Footprints’ values of community empowerment, and providing an opportunity to develop the level of climate literacy in the Australian community.
What were things the groups struggled with? ‘One of the strongest responses was that people don’t feel government is leading and that this is really necessary. People would also like to see businesses do a lot more, and make what they do a lot more visible. People do enjoy it. It’s an opportunity to tease out issues in more detail than you could over the dinner table or at a barbecue. It’s a non-threatening environment. People appreciate that.’
Fiona has had a longstanding interest in policy analysis and influencing policy, from her days as a nurse active in the ANF working to get the union to take a position on climate change. I asked her how she sees the Climate Conversation process connecting with policy?
‘One of the reasons the package and workbook has been developed is to create a voice for people in the community. It documents responses in a format that can easily be compiled into a report with a snapshot of people’s views. it’s a good summary, and we’ve provided it to local state and federal governments. This says clearly to participants: Your voice is being amplified and we’re making it possible for you to have an influence.’
* Fiona would like to acknowledge that the package draws on work undertaken with the Health Issues Centre, Conversations with Australians: The First Step.