With COP26 around the corner in early November, this is a huge moment for change and a real commitment from the Coalition and all political parties. Many community members and organisations are pushing for greater emissions reduction targets, but we always need more people to add their voices to the call for climate action. Every letter we write and conversation we have with our MP, and with others in our communities, makes a difference.

So, the MPEGS team would like to invite you, our MPEG hosts and group members, to our October MPEGS Week of Action, Event #2 — a chance for our wonderful community to meet, learn from each other and come away with new ways to take action on climate with your local group!

Our first guest speakers this week is Gerard McEvilly, who is part of a multi-faith group with the Australian Religious Response to Climate Change. His group has recently had a meeting with Trent Zimmerman, sitting MP for North Sydney, so he will share his experience and tips for meeting with your MP face-to-face or on Zoom.

Sue Dwyer will also share her experiences of developing a relationship with her Federal MP Ged Kearney, and meeting other various senators and councillors while she has been running our MPEGs program over the last few years. There will be plenty of time for questions! 

For some background reading, here is a great resource from Lighter Footprints on Lobbying for Australia to step up at COP 26.

MPEG hosts and all group members can choose to attend one or both of these sessions (you might like to send a few representatives to each session, then report back to your group):

• Monday Oct 11th, 7pm-8.30pm AEDT. Theme: Writing to the Media, with guest speaker Ray Peck from Lighter Footprints {RSVP here for the Monday 11th event}
  
  
• Monday Oct 18th, 7pm-8.30pm AEDT. Theme: Meeting with your MP, with guest speakers Gerard McEvilly from Australian Religious Response to Climate Change (ARRCC), and our very own MPEG volunteer Sue Dwyer. 

We hope to see you there!