How to engage with your MPs

Make your MP work for you! Your MP represents you in Canberra, so if you’re passionate about climate change, let them know - they don’t know unless we tell them! You don't have to be an expert. The simple fact that you care is reason enough to contact a politician. Contacting MPs helps them to show their party that there is social support and license to take more ambitious climate action.

Emails and letters are taken seriously and counted. We’ve been told by staffers that one email can be counted as representing the views of 20 constituents. If they receive lots of correspondence on a particular topic, it gets discussed in policy meetings and can have an effect on decision-making. Keep your message short (a page or less) and personal. Write what you feel. Explain why the issue matters to you and, most importantly, what you want your MP to do about it.

Here are some climate issues to get you started

Browse the climate briefings below. Each one includes background notes, suggested questions, and an email example to give you encouragement and guidance. Choose an issue that appeals to you and click on it. When your MP replies (or doesn't), follow up and keep them accountable. Check out the tips in the speech bubbles below. If you'd like to have some company while you're writing, join one of our Climate Action Clubs. For regular tips to help you engage with your MPs subscribe to our monthly Climate Action Update.

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Log your contact with your elected representatives here

Climate and energy policy in Australia

Australia needs bold leadership and strong policies from our governments to reduce carbon emissions and ensure the just transition away from fossil fuels across all sectors of our economy and community.

Urge the government to exceed our emissions reductions targets

Implement a carbon price to incentivise clean technologies

Ask the government to reform and tighten this Mechanism

Renew our energy systems for the benefit of all Australians

Demand an end to government subsidies for fossil fuels

Carbon dumping diverts funding from real emissions reduction

Gas cooking, heating and hot water is cooking the planet

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Climate polluting projects

Every fossil fuel project that is rejected makes the business case for future fossil fuels harder and harder, and keeps dangerous climate pollutants in the ground. Below are a few of the most consequential projects currently up for approval in Australia.

Stop this huge carbon polluting proposal from going ahead

Ask the federal government to stop Middle Arm and Beetaloo fracking

Demand a stop to gas drilling near the 12 Apostles

Stop Viva’s proposed floating gas terminal in Corio Bay

Say NO to the polluting Narrabri gas project

Climate and environment

Climate and environment are inextricably linked. Carbon emissions trap heat, and rising global temperatures accelerate habitat loss, species extinction, extreme weather, and ocean acidification, destroying the ecosystems that sustain human life and biodiversity.

Tell decision-makers Australia needs strong nature laws

Demand protection for our Great Barrier Reef

Demand an end to native deforestation and protect our forests

Ban bottom trawling to protect oceans and reduce emissions

Demand an end to seismic blasting and damage to ocean ecology

Ask the government for more support for regenerative agriculture

Strengthen environment laws for salmon farming in Tasmania

Climate justice and community

The first duty of a government is to protect its people and this includes protecting all Australians, including future generations, from the escalating effects of global warming. To achieve this, our governments must make bold decisions for transitioning away from fossil fuels to ensure social justice and intergenerational fairness.

We must phase out fossil fuels to protect health

Enshrine a duty of care for future generations

Protect Australia's food security from global warming

Human Rights claim due to Australian inaction on climate

Demand intergenerational rights to climate justice

Support Pacific Island Nations right to climate justice

Ask your MP to advocate for climate resilience solutions

Demand action to protect Australian sport from extreme weather

Reduce emissions and strengthen resilience to climate impacts

Climate democracy and governance

Peripheral policies and legislation can be crucially important to climate outcomes, such as laws on the right to protest, donations to political parties, and misinformation. Ask your MP for reform on these issues.

Ask the Australian Government to release the Climate Security report

Repeal draconian anti-protest laws in most states

Stop the influence of the fossil fuel industry on politics

Advocate to increase transparency & accountability

Visit your MP and speak with them face-to-face

Congratulate and connect with a new or re-elected MP

Climate submissions and petitions

Parliamentary inquiries are often set up to consider climate policy proposals. Part of this democratic process involves a public submission period to which any Australian can respond. It's easier than you may think to make a submission and they carry a lot of weight as every one must be considered and counted.

Links to climate-related projects accepting public submissions

Quick and easy tasks - support an online campaign or petition

Log your contact with your elected representatives here

Writing help and tips Speaking or writing to MPs can feel daunting but is surprisingly simple. Here are some tips to make it easier.

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