In the lead up to the 2022 Federal Election, we need to build climate awareness in all candidates and in every electorate, regardless of their party or previous political alliances.

By emailing your MP and other candidates, you can ensure that all candidates know that voters in your community want climate action!

We want to open a respectful dialogue with all candidates – ideally they will reply and this becomes a conversation, potentially even a meeting with you and other community members in the future.

Step 1: Read through the template on the right of this page.

Step 2: Take 5 minutes to personalise your email – it will be so much more powerful if candidates hear from you, rather than from us!

Read on for some suggestions on how to personalise your email...

SUBJECT LINE: Catch the attention of your candidates with a punchy subject line that is different from everyone else's!

AFTER THE FIRST PARAGRAPH: Include 2-3 sentences about you

Your name, where you live/your connection to your electorate, a little bit about you so they know you’re a real person (maybe your industry, your local connections to schools, ages of your kids, etc.)

e.g. I’ve been a resident of <my suburb/electorate> for <#> years, and I care deeply about our community and the environment. My kids attend <this school> and I'm part of <this community group>.

THEN: Include 2-3 sentences about climate change 

This should be less about stats and facts, and more about how it makes you feel. Are you excited about the opportunities that will come as we invest in clean energy? How do you think climate impacts will affect you and your community? Does it keep you up at night? Tell the candidate. Be honest and don’t be afraid to put emotion in.

FINALLY: Check your ask

It’s always important to have a clear ask in any email you write to a politician  – what do you want them to do? Then you’ve got something to hold them to when they reply (did they answer your question?)

In our template, we’ve included a few questions for your candidates: “What is your plan to tackle climate change if you are elected? And what specifically will you do about it?”

If you would like to reword this question, or ask them to meet with you or to do something else  – go for it – edit away! Your letter will be more powerful if it is direct and personalised.

Then you're done – great job! Hit send, and don't forget...

• Follow up with the candidates if you don't get a reply. They might be busy but they should get back to you eventually.

• If they do reply, keep the dialogue going and ask to meet them and talk more!