“For the Kids”. So true at the Ashburton Festival – climate volunteers getting out there for kids, families turning up with kids. This is why we step up and talk of all the good things that climate action can bring to communities, and listen deeply to parents, busy but very happy to learn more.
Chisholm Climate Action Network at the Ashburton Festival
Lighter Footprints is part of Chisholm CAN, running Vote Climate campaigns in the Chisholm area for better climate policy – think better public transport, a faster transition to clean energy, protecting nature and biodiversity, supporting EVs and electrification to lower energy bills.
High St Ashburton is closed for the annual Ashburton community festival which highlights local groups and traders and family friendly activities
Jenny Smithers paints a vivid picture.
“There’s a friendly vibe at the Ashy festival held usually the last Sunday in Feb. High St is closed to thru traffic and the locals can reclaim the street. Lots of young families, kids on bikes, teens cruising up and down, empty nesters leisurely strolling and older folks enjoying the energy from the crowd.
“Luckily a new imaging clinic was offering intricate face painting for kids nearby and the reptile display was further up the street so plenty of young families walked past our stall. Young mums were particularly receptive to our message, grateful we were out there, and often said they would join us if they had the time.”
“It’s important that those of us who have a little less pressure on our time, making time to be an advocate for a safe climate for the younger people who are really under the pump working and raising families, and their children and generations to come who have no voice.”
Jenny Smithers
Talking about climate action, and the Chisholm Candidate Forum to parents with young kids – busy but appreciative
Melbourne Weather
Liz said she rode her bike to the Ashburton Festival in High St Rd “to be a volunteer for the Chisholm and Kooyong stall”.
“The sun was shining and it was quite hot to start with. But it didn’t stop families from attending, strolling the street and chatting with us” she said. “Nor did the downpour in the middle of the day dampen everyone’s enthusiasm.”
Melbourne weather is getting hotter
David Hudspeth (who contributed these amazing pictures) says “Fossil fuel pollution emitted today is locking in worse outcomes for future generations and so my motivation is to back the solutions we have now to shift to clean sources of energy and address pollution in every sector. Join us to back a safer healthier future.”
Effective Climate Solutions
David Hudspeth said “As a volunteer it is always good to be able to work with people who care about their community to help build support for climate solutions”. i
“With cost of living a hot button topic at the coming election it was great to be out spreading the word that only renewable energy and electrification together can bring down household bills over the next decade”.
David Hudspeth
Supporting electrification is good climate policy – cuts asthma, protects lungs and hearts and reduces energy bills -who needs gas anyway! Thanks Electrify Boroondara volunteers.
Mary Mahoney said that she loves getting out on the streets and talking about the need for climate action. “Yesterday, at the Ashburton Festival, we did just that.”
Working with Allies
Jenny Smithers appreciated working closely with other local climate groups. “Our Lighter Footprints stall was sited amongst allies, ACF who were highlighting the need to care for our natural world on one side and Electrify Boroondara spruiking the benefits of electrification on the other side.”
Chisholm Climate Action Network is an alliance of local climate action groups working together for a safer climate
Nuclear – radioactive future or abundant clean energy?
Part of the conversations were about the LNP’s new idea of dotting seven reactors around the countryside, instead of moving smoothly along the shift towards powering Australia with the sun and wind.
“I can’t talk about the intricacies of solar power or nuclear fusion. I leave that to the experts. I can, however, talk about the urgent need for climate action to save the planet and our kids.’
Mary Mahoney
It is clear that not many people really understand the implications of the LNP’s nuclear proposal, although overall the community is concerned about it, didn’t understand for instance that it would be so expensive or take so long and were relieved to get some information. Many people then said to us “Thank you for doing what you are doing“.
Listening and then offering information – many people seemed unaware about the real costs of building seven nuclear reactors and were greatful for the nuclear and renewables flyer
Jenny is worried that many people seem to think that nuclear will get us out of trouble “with no idea it is likely decades in the future, will reduce deployment of renewables and is all to be paid for by us the tax payer”.
“Come and stand with us being out and making the case for climate and the opportunities of a rapid shift to renewables. This is essential to ensure we get leaders who will act on climate.”
Jenny Smithers
Got a couple of minutes? Total legend Dave Sweeney, ACF’s nuclear-free campaigner drills down on to what the whole reactor thing is about in this super quick video here. A must watch from someone who really knows his stuff on nuclear – Dave was a major force in the Nobel Peace Prize winning ICAN campaign!
You can also check out more on our nuclear info page here – good for a quick skim through expert opinion (we read it so you don’t have to) or you can dive into the links.
A visible presence in our community
“Let’s keep on being visible with vigils and street conversations leading up to the election. We need everyone to get involved. The planet and the kids will thank us!”
Mary Mahoney
Dogs are important too – and voting to protect our environment and for clean air and water matters to everyone in the household
Jenny said “We have a great crew of dedicated smiling climate warriors who canvassed for people to sign our petition to candidates to Chisholm and Kooyong asking them to commit to climate action.” Plenty of people were prepared to sign on.
“What is it that we are doing? We are out on the street making the case that urgent action on climate is needed and that there are solutions.”
Jenny Smithers
It’s time to step up for nature and for our kids
Are you concerned about climate damage, and want to seize the opportunities from better climate policy – like support for green spaces, public transport putting on solar and going electric to lower energy bills?
We’d love you to join our Vote Climate campaign in Chisholm. Voters deserve accurate information, and Vote Climate campaigns are powerful in shifting the vote towards representatives who would put better climate policy ahead of fossil corporate donor interests.
“I believe in the power of the people and actions like yesterday’s are a vital part of climate action. The good thing is that anyone and everyone can do it!”
Mary Mahoney
There is a lot you can do to help.
- Support us by attending our Chisholm Community Future Energy Forum – RSVP here.
- Exercise and help the climate at the same time – help us letter drop event invitations, flyers and scorecards.
- Pre-poll and polling day – help us place Candidate Scorecards straight into the hands of voters.
Sign up on our Chisholm Votes Climate 2025 campaign page!
“Making our presence felt is so important to get the message across. Still much work to do before the election date is set. Come and be part of the team!”
Liz Z
Chisholm Climate Action at the Ashburton Festival – voting for the kids