Individuals and groups can influence the policies of government and business by speaking out on issues that concern us like climate change.

As individuals we can also influence the people around us – our family, friends and the local community.

Share your personal journey

Sharing the environmentally sustainable changes we have made in our own lives with family and friends is a powerful way to spread the message that action must be taken on climate change.

Because people are more likely to act on what people they know and trust tell them, individual advocacy is an effective way to influence those around us.

In his book The Tipping Point social researcher Malcolm Gladwell argued that once around 5 per cent of people have made a particular change, this changed behaviour will spread exponentially through society. He calls this the 'tipping point'.

If we can build a group of people around us who are committed to action on climate change, we create a network of support for ourselves which can also can become an effective instrument for spreading change even further.

Speak out in your community

Change at a community level is vital in the fight against climate change. Firstly, it is often easier to influence people that we know in our neighbourhood and make changes at a local level. Also, significant changes to business and government policies and practices often depend on the evidence available that a community wants this change to occur.

No better proof can be found for people wanting business and government to take action, than for the individuals in that community to take action themselves.

Join a Climate Action Group

A Climate Action Group is a collection of individuals concerned about climate change who meet in their local area to discuss what they can do to make a difference.

Why not make a difference in your local community by joining a climate action group (link to http://www.climatemovement.org.au/)

Advocate to business

Businesses can play an influential role in curbing climate change through their own practices and their interactions with government.

Tell a business it is doing well

Many businesses are beginning to identify that being sustainable is not only more ethical, but also makes good business sense. These companies often lobby the Government for better guidelines or tighter regulations. These companies need to hear from the community that we are pleased with their actions.

Tell a business it needs to do more

Some businesses will only move towards environmentally sustainable practices when not doing so will threaten their profits. These companies need to hear from us that reducing their emissions is important, and that their practices will affect the way we shop and spend our money.

Speak out against unsustainable business

Other companies are very resistant to changing the way they do business because they are more concerned about their short-term profits than climate change. These companies often have powerful lobby groups that urge our politicians not too make changes that will foster a more sustainable future. These organisations in particular need to hear from us, as do the politicians they lobby.

Advocate to government

Governments often shy away from taking bold steps to curb climate change unless they know they have community support. That is why it's important to speak out to our politicians and let them know this is an issue we care about.

You could advocate the government to:

• Implement policies that encourage Australian businesses and households to make changes to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This includes policies for 'mitigation' that prevent or reduce climate change by addressing its causes. It also includes 'adaptation' policies that aim to lessen the impact of climate change by adapting to the changes that are already happening
• Create incentives (through the taxation system or by direct investment) to develop sources of renewable energy or increase the efficiency of existing uses of energy. These incentives can also encourage individuals and communities change their practices
• Educate and inform the individuals, communities and businesses to be environmentally sustainable
• Implement legislation and regulations that protect the environment.