Aug 29, 2026 | Biodiversity, Forests, Legal action, State election
Protecting Victoria’s Forests with A/Prof Philip Zylstra and Natalie Hogan, EJA Fire scientist and forest ecologist A/Prof Philip Zylstra shares stories of cultural burning for food, and shows us results from years of scientific data that show that...
Aug 1, 2026 | Lighter Footprints Events, State climate policy, State election
Every voter deserves accurate information about each candidate’s climate policies This November, so much is at stake Subsidies to change over to clean, efficient electric appliances Large scale renewables build out A commitment to move away from expensive,...
Jul 19, 2026 | Carbon markets, Clean Energy, Climate Policy, Electric vehicle, Lighter Footprints Events
Going electric improves exports and increases resilience Right now we are experiencing how vital it is for Australia to have a resilient energy system. Australia has world-beating renewables resources. Dr Monique Ryan MP along with financial analyst Tim Buckley,...
Jun 2, 2026 | Electric vehicle, Electrification, EV, No category
Get going with an EV – all you need to know! Are you wondering when to buy an Electric Vehicle (EV)? At the recent webinar co-hosted by Lighter Footprints and Electrify Boroondara, the consensus among experts was clear: for most drivers, the right time was...
May 9, 2026 | Electrification, Heat pump hot water, Lighter Footprints Events
Electrify your hot water for real savings! Have you wondered how to save money on your energy bills and where to start? Switching to heat pump hot water is a fantastic option – better for your hip pocket as well as the planet, with an even bigger savings bonus...
Apr 12, 2026 | Communicating climate change, Lighter Footprints Working Groups, Volunteering
Join us in working towards a safer climate for our kids! Thanks so much to Lighter Footprints volunteers who talked to so many people at the recent Glenferrie street festival and to those who have signed up for our events on getting off gas, affordable heat...
Feb 27, 2026 | Clean Energy, Climate Policy
Clean economy, expanding green exports Superpower 2026 with Simon Holmes à Court and Reuben Finighan Energy analyst and renewables expert Simon Holmes à Court outlined Australia’s progress in transitioning to renewable energy and green exports. Dr Reuben...
Feb 21, 2026 | Carbon offsets, Climate Policy, Environmental protection, Forests
What is really going on with Victoria’s forests? An update from veteran forests campaigner Luke Chamberlain In our recent webinar Why Forests Matter, Luke Chamberlain from Environmental Justice Australia gives us an inside view on what is really happening to...
Feb 9, 2026 | Communicating climate change, Lighter Footprints Working Groups, Volunteering
Climate action, learning and community advocacy! Thanks so much to Lighter Footprints friends and volunteers who came to our recent planning afternoon workshop, generously giving us their ideas and commitment for what is shaping up as a very successful...
Feb 8, 2026 | Biodiversity, Environmental protection, Forests, Lighter Footprints Events
Forests are a vital part of Earth’s well being If you’re reading this blog, you’re probably already a forest lover – and for good reasons! Forests are beautiful and awe-inspiring landscapes, which lower our blood pressure and promote feelings of peace and...
Nov 13, 2025 | Clean Energy, Climate Policy, Economy, Environmental protection, Kooyong
Ambition, levers, supporting policy for a safer climate future For our last public meeting of 2025, Lighter Footprints asked the Federal member for Kooyong, Dr Monique Ryan MP, to speak about her climate priorities for her second term in Parliament, and her...
Oct 25, 2025 | Biodiversity, Climate Policy, Court action, Environmental protection, Forests
Trees are essential for our health, for biodiversity, and for protecting our climate. Forests Working Group The Forests Working Group highlights and supports forest conservation efforts, research, as well as informing the public what is really going on with forests –...
Oct 10, 2025 | Electrification, Heat pump hot water
Save money on your hot water with a timer With thanks to the Energy Transition Group and Electrify Boroondara More and more households in Boroondara and across Victoria are switching to hot water heat pumps – either to replace old gas systems or because they’re one of...
Oct 6, 2025 | Clean Energy, Climate Policy, Electrification, Forests
How do we effect change for a cleaner and safer environment? 2025 first preference votes suggest the major parties are struggling to represent the people of Australia. Background In a recent blog we explained why many Australians have felt seriously let down by...
Sep 30, 2025 | Climate change, Climate change and health, Communicating climate change, Sport and Climate
Sport and Climate Lighter Footprints was delighted to welcome Nicola Barr, Tom Campbell, Lexi Lynch and Lizzie Hedding to be on a panel discussing sport and climate change. The panelists are all committed to raising awareness in our community about the impact of...
Aug 11, 2025 | Biodiversity, Boroondara Council, Climate Policy, Environmental protection, Forests, Tree Canopy, Urban forests
We depend on trees! We all learnt so much more about the amazing benefits of our neighbourhood trees to our health and community, and what we can do to improve biodiversity. Watch Dr Greg Moore and Dr Judy Bush on our video highlights here and Chris Spencer and Amy...
Jun 29, 2025 | Electric vehicle, Electrification, Home battery, Lighter Footprints Events, Solar
“90% off your bills” says Chris Bowen With the solar and the right tariff, home batteries can really drop electricity bills. And the good news is that the government is pumping an extra $5bn into the Cheaper Home Batteries Program, due to its runaway...
May 21, 2025 | Chisholm, Climate Policy, Federal election, Kooyong
Voters chose solar over nuclear and gave a strong climate mandate in Melbourne’s inner east Late in 2024 we wondered when the election would be. Would they go before Christmas on the back of a rates cut? What about February? Then it was going to be March 8th...
May 14, 2025 | Biodiversity, Boroondara Council, Calendar of events, Carbon, Clean Energy, Climate change, Climate Policy, Energy, Energy Efficiency, Federal election, Forests, Gas, Nuclear, Volunteering
Labor was returned with a very large majority, and Greens hold the balance of power in the Senate. We have read through some expert responses and given you a comprehensive look looking at opportunities for climate action and potential challenges in what could be a...
Apr 28, 2025 | Climate Policy, Federal election, Menzies
An evening of democracy The Menzies Candidate Forum was an evening of real contrasts – with candidate statements varying from “We’ve already seen what 1.5 degrees looks like, Black Summer bushfires, forever floods and rising insurance premiums. What happens at...
Apr 15, 2025 | Carbon, Climate change, Lighter Footprints Forum
Telling it like it is The Convenor of Lighter Footprints, Jenny Smithers, started off the 2025 Kooyong Candidates Forum with a brief overview of the state of the climate. “My professional life has been working as a GP, so no surprise, my first message is from...
Apr 9, 2025 | Federal election, Lighter Footprints Events, Meeting with MPs, Vote Climate
Kooyong Candidates Forum Blog Under three banners ‘Engage’, ‘Influence’ and ‘Advocate’, the Convenor of Lighter Footprints, Jenny Smithers, welcomed the large audience in the Hawthorn Town Hall to the Kooyong Candidates Forum. This event has become a much-anticipated...
Mar 25, 2025 | Chisholm, Federal election, Lighter Footprints Forum, Nuclear
Find out what the Chisholm candidates said about climate and energy! Short on time? Check out our comparative candidate quotes pdf! Dive into the Facebook Album for images, quotes, links to expert argument and full candidate transcript as comments under the images as...
Mar 7, 2025 | Clean Energy, Climate Policy, Lighter Footprints Events, Nuclear
Held for the first time in the Malvern Town Hall, the Lighter Footprints annual energy transition event featuring Simon Holmes à Court and Ric Brazzale was a big success. The 400 attendees were treated to an inviting array of community organisation stalls, an engaging...
Mar 1, 2025 | Communicating climate change, Family activity, Lighter Footprints Events, Volunteering
“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...
