Status: Inactive

Ministry of Imagination – Rob Hopkins

Since 2020, the fortnightly ‘From What If to What Next’ podcast has invited two guests to time travel into the 2030 that resulted from our doing absolutely everything we could possibly have done, and to describe that world to the listeners. In late March 2024, the podcast stopped at its 100th episode, but it remains…
Pop-up to cool down the vulnerable in Melbourne’s deadly heat

The City of Melbourne and community health organisation cohealth teamed up to create a temporary cooling relief centre at 227-229 Bourke St where vulnerable Melburnians can access a cool place on 35 degree days. The hub also had healthcare workers including registered nurses to provide support to visitors, on some days. Read more about it…
Adaptation in Action: Council projects and collaboration across Australia – Climate Emergency Australia

This playlist contains presentations from Day 2 of the Climate Emergency Conference 2024 hosted by Climate Emergency Australia, focussed on adaptation in action around the country. Check out the available videos here:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlIPYiojQOLkZYWrKsNMtQOQA4S08fwwQ
IDDRR: Empowering the next generation for a resilient future

In 2024, the International Day focused on the role of education in protecting and empowering youth for a disaster-free future. The theme is aligned with the upcoming Summit of the Future, planned for September 2024, where ‘youth and future generations’ will be one of its five priorities. The Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience and Natural…
Hotspots Kensington – a report on the living conditions of Government High-Rise Towers housing residents aged 55 years and older, during Melbourne’s Summer Heat

The three public housing towers located at 29 Crown Street, Flemington; 530 Lygon Street, Carlton; and 94 Ormond Street, Kensington provide essential accommodation for people aged 55 years and over, who are among the most vulnerable and marginalised communities. During Melbourne’s summer season (December-March), residents of these housing towers face various dangers associated with heat-related…
Hotspots Flemington – a report on the living conditions of Government High-Rise Towers housing residents aged 55 years and older, during Melbourne’s Summer Heat

The three public housing towers located at 29 Crown Street, Flemington; 530 Lygon Street, Carlton; and 94 Ormond Street, Kensington provide essential accommodation for people aged 55 years and over, who are among the most vulnerable and marginalised communities. During Melbourne’s summer season (December-March), residents of these housing towers face various dangers associated with heat-related…
Hotspots Carlton – a report on the living conditions of Government High-Rise Towers housing residents aged 55 years and older, during Melbourne’s Summer Heat

The three public housing towers located at 29 Crown Street, Flemington; 530 Lygon Street, Carlton; and 94 Ormond Street, Kensington provide essential accommodation for people aged 55 years and over, who are among the most vulnerable and marginalised communities. During Melbourne’s summer season (December-March), residents of these housing towers face various dangers associated with heat-related…
Darebin Neighbourhood House Network – Climate Inquiry Video Submission

This video is the submission made by Darebin Neighbourhood House Network to the Victorian Parliament Inquiry into Climate Resilience. It includes members of the Darebin community expressing the need for a greater focus on the utility of neighbourhood houses, and greater funding to help these places become adaptable to climate change, enhancing community utility, and…
Heat, Fire and Flood Forum

The Heat, Fire and Flood forum was organised by the Port Phillip Emergency Climate Action Network (PECAN) and Bayside Climate Crisis Action Group (BCCAG) in February 2020. PECAN, as a network, comprises a number of community groups, all concerned about real action on climate change. Check out the recording here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVe6DTJdtm0
Caring and Being Cared for Before, During & After Climate Impacts

How can we better set ourselves up to care and be cared for, especially in response to compounding climate impacts and disasters? The Care Through Disaster report from Women’s Health Goulburn North East and Australia ReMade answers this question. The report has clear recommendations for citizens, and local, state and federal government on how we…
Climate change and social capital: Professor Daniel Aldrich visits SEI

Visiting the Sydney Environment Institute at the University of Sydney, global social capital expert Professor Daniel Aldrich shared his wealth of knowledge and experience in the important role that social infrastructure plays in building climate resilience. His visit included two public facing events: a workshop with the University’s researchers and students, and an inaugural panel…
99% Invisible – Not Built For This

This is a series about climate change and how we prepare for the extremely bumpy ride ahead of us. Because right now we’re all living in a world that was just Not Built for This. This podcast is a 6-part mini-series from 99% Invisible. Listen wherever you get your podcasts… and check it out here:https://open.spotify.com/episode/1UBKPmt3PnFnWP17rSG3jh?si=h_3ERNqmQFiCDVUyLDAXVg&context=spotify%3Aplaylist%3A37i9dQZF1FgnTBfUlzkeKt&nd=1&dlsi=0538f3448fdd440e
ClimateReady Podcast – BUA Knowledge Platform

The ClimateReady Podcast features interviews and segments on emerging trends in the intersection of climate and water. Experts in policy, engineering, finance, and other sectors provide cutting-edge perspectives and narratives on climate adaptation challenges and opportunities. Seasons 1–3 each contain ten episodes. A special mini-series focusing on UNFCCC COP26 was released from October through December…
Resources for community-led disaster response and resilience initiatives – Shareable

This site collates all of Shareables resources on climate resilience – including its own how-tos, other resilience handbooks, disaster response guides, and resources on just recoveries and futures. Check it out here:https://www.shareable.net/resources-for-community-resilience-and-collective-disaster-response/
20 lessons from The Response: How communities are changed by disasters

What effect do natural and other disasters have on the underlying culture of a community? This was the driving question that led to the development of Shareable’s The Response project three years ago. Documenting stories from NYC, California, Mexico City, Puerto Rico, Japan, London and more, here are 20 lessons Shareable found in regards to…
Person-Centred Emergency Preparedness (P-CEP) Tools – Collaborating 4 Inclusion

This site, provided by Collaborating 4 Inclusion, is an extensive explainer on Person-Centred Emergency Preparedness, namely, how to put people and their support needs at the centre of disability inclusive emergency planning. It provides background info, examples of P-CEP in action, case studies and workbooks to help communities, organisations and even individuals adopt a more…
Toolkit: Building Community Resilience in Disasters

This toolkit, provided by Dr Foong is designed to allow councils and community groups and organisations to build resilience in their own communities. You can access a range of resources in the toolkit, including presentations templates, checklists and fact sheets in a variety of languages. Check it out here:https://public.3.basecamp.com/p/c64wss7hV5GFcsDbCcqKd6cF/vault/7964299358
Making sport safe in a changing climate: A guide for grassroots sport – Environmental Defenders Office

In recent years, extreme weather events have caused major interruptions and had serious health consequences at both elite and grassroots levels of sport.Grassroots sports is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change because local clubs and associations have limited resources to help them adapt. The Environmental Defenders Office has created a guide to help…
Gender in climate action training pack: A resource for practitioners – CDKN

CDKN has developed a pack of presentations and exercises for facilitators to use in training settings, to help climate and development professionals to integrate gender perspectives into climate projects and programmes. Specifically, the training aims to help participants: Check the pack out here:https://cdkn.org/resource/resource-gender-in-climate-action-training-pack-a-resource-for-practitioners
Climate Wise Communities – ‘What if…’ contingency planning

‘What if…’ scenarios prompt participants to think about unexpected situations that could occur during an emergency event. Participants are presented with a potential natural disaster scenario, and are encouraged to think about their course of action. During this exercise, ‘What if…’ cards are randomly distributed to each group. These present a range of likely incidents…
Climate Wise Communities – Neighbourhood strengths and vulnerabilities mapping exercise

In this activity, participants use everyday objects to visualise neighbourhood risks, vulnerabilities and strengths on a map. These may include physical features of the area, historical event impacts, escape routes and social networks. The Climate Wise Communities program commonly uses Lego® and pipe cleaners to represent each feature, but other artefacts such as toy animals,…
5 Climate Tech Tools to Build Community Resilience – APA

This article is the first in the “Tech Tools” series. It explores a handful of recent climate change and resilience datasets and tools, curated by members of APA’s Technology Division. These include risk maps, adaptation databases, and geo hazard evaluation tools. Check them out here:https://www.planning.org/planning/2023/winter/5-climate-tech-tools-to-build-community-resilience/
Los Angeles Community Resilience Mapping Tool – Sahana Foundation

This is an initiative within the Los Angeles County Community Disaster Resilience (LACCDR) project whose aim is to engage community-based organisations in providing leadership and partnership to promote community resilience in the face of public health emergencies such as pandemics and disasters. The tool will help communities to collect their own data on vulnerability, hazards…
Participatory Asset Mapping – Community Research Lab

This toolbox presents research concepts, methods, and tools through topical guides and toolkits that enable communities to undertake Participatory Mapping – the process of creating a tangible display of the people, places and experiences that make up a community, through community members themselves identifying them on a map. This exercise is particularly important in developing…
Steps to Resilience – US Climate Resilience Toolkit

The Steps to Resilience framework encompasses the team building, data gathering, and decision-making it takes for a local climate champion and a team of engaged community members to enhance their resilience to climate-related impacts. The framework is aligned with, and inclusive of, other efforts to reduce risk through adaptation. Check it out here:https://toolkit.climate.gov/overview-steps
Scotsburn Fire Game – Be Prepared

On December 19th 2015, a bushfire started on a forty-degree day. It affected Scotsburn and the surrounding community near Ballarat. The fire destroyed 12 homes, over 4000 hectares of bush and farming land, native and farm animals, fracturing lives. In response to the fire affected community, Emergency Management Victoria’s National Disaster Resilience Grants Scheme, Moorabool Shire…
Climate Board Games

This list, put together by Matthew Ballew, collates environmental and climate related board games that players can engage with to simulate climate disaster, and use as fun educational tools for kids. Check out the list here:https://matthewtballew.com/climategames/
Marae-opoly: supporting localised Māori climate adaptation decisions with serious games in Aotearoa New Zealand

Far from being passive and/or static victims of climate change, indigenous peoples are hybridizing knowledge systems, and challenging and negotiating new environmental and social realities to develop their own adaptation options within their own registers of what is place and culture appropriate. Our paper seeks to demonstrate how we, as guests on Māori land, were…
CDKN Climate and Society Game

How would you feel if you faced climate hazards – in someone else’s shoes? How would your age, your physical and mental abilities, your health, the way other people treat you affect how you could respond? What if different members of the community got together to tackle climate-related problems? What would your role be? How…
Mutual Aid: Building Solidarity During This Crisis (and the Next) – Dean Spade

This book is THE guide to mutual aid, and it is available free online. It describes mutual aid, critically reflects upon it, and provides lots of useful insight into making mutual aid work for you. Check it out here:https://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/dean-spade-mutual-aid
The Future We Choose – Christiana Figueres and Tom Rivett-Carnac

Christiana Figueres and Tom Rivett-Carnac outline two possible scenarios for our planet. In one, they describe what life on Earth will be like by 2050 if we fail to meet the Paris Agreement’s climate targets. In the other, they lay out what it will be like to live in a regenerative world that has net-zero…
Everything for Everyone: The Radical Tradition that Is Shaping the Next Economy – Nathan Schneider

Since the financial crash of 2008, the cooperative movement has been coming back with renewed vigor. Everything for Everyone chronicles this economic and social revolution—from taxi cooperatives that are keeping Uber and Lyft at bay, to an outspoken mayor transforming his city in the Deep South, to a fugitive building a fairer version of Bitcoin,…
The Care Manifesto: The Politics of Interdependence – The Care Collective

The Care Manifesto demands that we must put care at the heart of the state and the economy. A caring government must promote collective joy, not the satisfaction of individual desire. This means the transformation of how we organise work through co-operatives, localism and nationalisation. It proposes the expansion of our understanding of kinship for…
At Risk: Natural hazards, people’s vulnerability and disasters – Ben Wisner, Piers Blaikie, Terry Cannon, and Ian Davis

The term ‘natural disaster’ is often used to refer to natural events such as earthquakes, hurricanes or floods. However, the phrase ‘natural disaster’ suggests an uncritical acceptance of a deeply engrained ideological and cultural myth. At Risk questions this myth and argues that extreme natural events are not disasters until a vulnerable group of people…
Climate Resilience: How We Keep Each Other Safe, Care for Our Communities, and Fight Back Against Climate Change – Kylie Flanagan

In Climate Resilience, climate justice and resilience strategist Kylie Flanagan invites us to see and act beyond status-quo solutions, Big Tech promises… and everything we’re usually told about how to save the planet. Centering the voices of Native Rights activists, queer liberation ecologists, youth climate-justice organizers, Latinx wilderness activists, and others on the front lines,…
Red Cross RediPlan Template

This template can be used to collate emergency information, important numbers, important services, alternatives during emergencies, and any information regarding medical/animal/will plans for use during a disaster. Check it out, download it and fill it out here:https://www.redcross.org.au/globalassets/cms-assets/documents/emergency-services/rediplan-lite-interactive.pdf
Red Cross Emergency Survival Kit Checklist

This checklist provided by the Red Cross lets you know what you need to pack in an emergency, and what you should have in an emergency kit, should you need to evacuate or get through a disaster. Check it out here:https://www.redcross.org.au/globalassets/cms/emergency-services/preparedness/checklist-get-packing.pdf
Milkwood’s Top 10 Strategies for Household Resilience

At this site, Milkwood has compiled 10 strategies to get your household underway in being resilient for you and your community. They are doable and easy to get started on today. Check it out here:https://www.milkwood.net/2023/05/22/top-10-strategies-for-household-resilience/
Recovery Oriented Language Guide

This guide provided by the Mental Health Coordinating Council provides useful insight into how people can ensure their language is recovery oriented, and is informed by a respectful, non-judgemental, clear, consistent, sincere, trauma-informed and strengths-based approach. This is useful in disaster recovery and mental health contexts. Access the resource here:https://mhcc.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Recovery-Oriented-Language-Guide-3rd-edition.pdf
Storm recovery – Hepburn Shire Council

This website provides a log of storm impacts in Hepburn Shire Council, including recovery information, with many resources on personal, financial and material assistance. Find out more here:https://www.hepburn.vic.gov.au/Residents/Emergencies/Storm-recovery
Southern Cross U: protecting the communities it serves

This article tells the story of Southern Cross University academics who assisted during the Lismore floods, taking matters into their own hands and leading individual disaster recovery. It also details the ways Southern Cross University is becoming more attentive to the disaster resilience needs of the Lismore community, including establishing resilience hubs and resilience services…
CWRP – Northern Rivers Community Healing Hub

The Community Healing Hub and Mobile Healing Hub provides healing, cultural connection and trauma-based education and support services to First Nations people across the region who were impacted by the 2022 Northern Rivers floods. The Mobile Hub provides outreach services to isolated and remote communities. Check out their work here:https://hnc.org.au/cwrp/cwrp-northern-rivers-community-healing-hub/
South Bank Rain Bank

Retrofit of a stormwater harvesting scheme in a highly urbanised area for parkland irrigation in Brisbane, to long-term ‘drought-proof’ the iconic subtropical Parklands using innovative water strategies. Check out the full project here: https://watersensitivecities.org.au/solutions/case-studies/south-bank-rain-bank/
How can social imagination help us respond to climate change Insights from Southbank, Melbourne 2024

In 2023, the Centre for Public Impact Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand (CPI) ran social imagination workshops focused on belonging and climate action in Southbank, Melbourne. Together with individuals who live or work in Southbank, CPI worked to reimagine how we might respond to the emergency unfolding in front of us. Watch this webinar to…
In Braybrook, a community gathers to reimagine the streets they call home

At the Sustainable Living Festival, Regen Streets Lead Convenor Nina Sharpe was invited on a stroll through Braybrook – and asked to consider what a regenerated Ashley Street precinct could look like with people and nature at its core. Community members imagined more green spaces, water features, safer bike paths and more. Check out what…
Understanding climate change and health in Melbourne’s South East

A mixed-methods research project investigating understandings of the links between climate change and health within and among communities in City of Greater Dandenong, City of Casey and Cardinia Shire.The project builds upon the learnings of enliven’s (enliven – Part of Each) involvement with the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation (LMCF) funded “Hot Spots” initiative. Very little…
Climate Adaptation Requires Youth Action – CARYA

CARYA was launched in 2020, bringing together a courageous, cross-cultural group of young adults to learn about, discuss and take action on some of the key social and environmental issues impacting (and being impacted by) climate change. CARYA participants complete a 8 week training program, meeting expert speakers and discussing topics such as food security,…
Disaster Resilient: Future Ready – Burnett Inland

Disaster Resilient: Future Ready is a national initiative that supports remote, rural and regional communities to lead initiatives that improve wellbeing, increase preparedness and strengthen resilience, so they have greater capacity to endure, adapt and evolve positively when faced with the impacts of climate, disasters and other disruptions. In Burnett Inland: Over a three year…
Disaster Resilient: Future Ready – North Richmond/Kurrajong

Disaster Resilient: Future Ready is a national initiative that supports remote, rural and regional communities to lead initiatives that improve wellbeing, increase preparedness and strengthen resilience, so they have greater capacity to endure, adapt and evolve positively when faced with the impacts of climate, disasters and other disruptions. In North Richmond/Kurrajong:As a result of DR:FR…
Disaster Resilient: Future Ready – Wee Waa

Disaster Resilient: Future Ready is a national initiative that supports remote, rural and regional communities to lead initiatives that improve wellbeing, increase preparedness and strengthen resilience, so they have greater capacity to endure, adapt and evolve positively when faced with the impacts of climate, disasters and other disruptions. In Wee Waa: The Wee Waa community…
Disaster Resilient: Future Ready – Ocean Shores

Disaster Resilient: Future Ready is a national initiative that supports remote, rural and regional communities to lead initiatives that improve wellbeing, increase preparedness and strengthen resilience, so they have greater capacity to endure, adapt and evolve positively when faced with the impacts of climate, disasters and other disruptions. In Ocean Shores:The Ocean Shores Community Association…
Disaster Resilient: Future Ready – Whittlesea township and surrounds

Disaster Resilient: Future Ready is a national initiative that supports remote, rural and regional communities to lead initiatives that improve wellbeing, increase preparedness and strengthen resilience, so they have greater capacity to endure, adapt and evolve positively when faced with the impacts of climate, disasters and other disruptions. In Whittlesea:The CRC is keen to ensure…
Disaster Resilient: Future Ready – Myrtleford

Disaster Resilient: Future Ready is a national initiative that supports remote, rural and regional communities to lead initiatives that improve wellbeing, increase preparedness and strengthen resilience, so they have greater capacity to endure, adapt and evolve positively when faced with the impacts of climate, disasters and other disruptions. In Myrtleford: FRRR funding has been used…
Disaster Resilient: Future Ready – Korumburra

Disaster Resilient: Future Ready is a national initiative that supports remote, rural and regional communities to lead initiatives that improve wellbeing, increase preparedness and strengthen resilience, so they have greater capacity to endure, adapt and evolve positively when faced with the impacts of climate, disasters and other disruptions. In Korumburra:Korumburra is setting up Helping Hands…
Kin Kin set to better withstand the impacts of future disasters

Following the February 2022 floods and the devastation experienced by community members within and surrounding Kin Kin, in southern Queensland, the Kin Kin Community Group (KKCG) shifted its focus towards future planning and the inevitable impacts of another natural disaster on their community. They aim to be better prepared with improved emergency systems to enable…
Climate Action and Resilience Plan – Yarra Neighbourhood House Network

In 2023, the nine neighbourhood houses in the City of Yarra worked together to consider how they could make their houses more sustainable and resilient to the impacts of climate change, and support the community to do the same. The outcome was this Yarra Neighbourhood House Network Climate Action and Resilience Plan. By building sustainable…
Darebin Neighbourhood House Network Climate Action and Resilience Plan

In 2021-22 Darebin Neighbourhood Houses utilised funding from Darebin Council to develop a shared Climate Action and Resilience Plan. The plan outlines how they can take action both within their own houses and more broadly with and within their local communities to support actions that improve sustainability and reduce climate change emissions and also help…
Climate Emergency Conference 2024 – Councils and communities reclaiming the climate emergency

This conference presentation put on by Climate Emergency Australia in cooperation with Maribyrnong City Council details climate resilience activities by councils around Victoria. Each case study includes impacts, recommendations, examples of initiatives and outcomes. It has a great diversity of examples! Check out the range of examples presented here:https://www.climateemergencyaustralia.org.au/uploads/1/4/5/0/145015538/day_2_-_adaptation_in_action.pdf
The Next Economy – Latrobe Valley’s energy transition

Between February and June 2023, The Next Economy explored a range of perspectives among Latrobe Valley community leaders with regards to the energy transition. The project involved hosting a series of interviews and workshops that engaged 31 community members, including First Nations people and young people, people from the multicultural community, grassroots environment groups, small…
City of Melbourne – Docklands Resilience Assessment

City of Melbourne is working on a four-year Major Initiative on Community Disaster Resilience, which is included in the Council Plan 2021-25 to ‘engage and prepare residents and communities to enhance their resilience to hazards, disasters and the health impacts of climate change’. City of Melbourne conducted a Docklands community resilience workshop in October 2023 with 16…
City of Melbourne – North and West Melbourne Resilience Assessment

The City of Melbourne is working on a four-year Major Initiative “Prepare Melbourne” on Community Disaster Resilience, which is included in the Council Plan 2021-25 to ‘engage and prepare residents and communities to enhance their resilience to hazards, disasters and the health impacts of climate change’. North and West Melbourne have been prioritised to conduct…
City of Melbourne – Carlton Resilience Assessment

City of Melbourne is working on a four-year Major Initiative on Community Disaster Resilience, which is included in the Council Plan 2021-25 to ‘engage and prepare residents and communities to enhance their resilience to hazards, disasters and the health impacts of climate change’. City of Melbourne conducted community workshops in Carlton in May 2023 with 22 community…
City of Melbourne – Kensington Resilience Assessment

City of Melbourne is working on a four-year Major Initiative on Community Disaster Resilience, which is included in the  Council Plan 2021-25 to ‘engage and prepare residents and communities to enhance their resilience to hazards, disasters and the health impacts of climate change’. Kensington was the second neighbourhood community resilience assessment. With an active local community,…
City of Melbourne – Southbank Resilience Assessment

City of Melbourne is working on a four-year Major Initiative on Community Disaster Resilience, which is included in the Council Plan 2021-25 to ‘engage and prepare residents and communities to enhance their resilience to hazards, disasters and the health impacts of climate change’. At the end of 2022, they completed their first Community Resilience Assessment in Southbank. Recent…
City of Melbourne – Community Resilience Assessments

To better understand the physical and social vulnerabilities Melbourne communities face in the event of a disaster, and how we can build a more resilient community, in 2022 and 2023 the City of Melbourne met and worked with their neighbourhoods. The City of Melbourne is working on a four-year project called Prepare Melbourne, to ‘engage…
Get Techy, Get Ready – Emergency Apps Guides

This Dropbox folder is full of resources on how to equip yourself with the right emergency apps to withstand climate disaster. It provides guides, informative seminars and collated lists of the right apps to download in the right contexts. Check it out here:https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/b8cxs79tp2x77q97oeq9o/APm6WuWNsnMh0BdRPToLhek?rlkey=tdi5nta2c72b7pk5s5v1u4h9s&e=5&st=uelznw2z&dl=0
Cooling the City Masterclass – Penrith City Council

Around 350 built environment professionals joined together to be equally inspired and challenged by leading experts as they worked together to create a cooler and more liveable city. This site links to the Masterclass programs, all the presentations, event highlights, and even audience contributions. Check out all the resources here:https://www.penrithcity.nsw.gov.au/waste-environment/resilient-penrith/cooling-the-city-masterclass
Climate Wise Communities and Simtable 3D bushfire simulator – East Killara and East Lindfield

Climate Wise Communities provides insight into what bushfires may have looked like if they were not contained, helping communities prepare for the future. It includes simulations of North Turramurra, Lane Cove National Park, East Killara and East Lindfield. They are viewable here:https://climatewisecommunities.com.au/simtable-bushfire-simulations/ North Turramurra: Lane Cove National Park: East Killara and East Lindfield:
Climate Wise Communities and Simtable 3D bushfire simulator – Lane Cove National Park

Climate Wise Communities provides insight into what bushfires may have looked like if they were not contained, helping communities prepare for the future. It includes simulations of North Turramurra, Lane Cove National Park, East Killara and East Lindfield. They are viewable here:https://climatewisecommunities.com.au/simtable-bushfire-simulations/ North Turramurra: Lane Cove National Park: East Killara and East Lindfield:
Climate Wise Communities and Simtable 3D bushfire simulator – North Turramurra

Climate Wise Communities provides insight into what bushfires may have looked like if they were not contained, helping communities prepare for the future. It includes simulations of North Turramurra, Lane Cove National Park, East Killara and East Lindfield. They are viewable here:https://climatewisecommunities.com.au/simtable-bushfire-simulations/ North Turramurra: Lane Cove National Park: East Killara and East Lindfield:
Home grown climate resilience – connecting with local place/environment

Addressing climate change can seem overwhelming and complex, but at the community level the solutions are surprisingly simple. This article provides insight into how we can connect with our local place and environment. Dr Jennifer Hamilton and Dr Sujata Allan give insight, after having looked for ways to help their community adapt to a changing…
Table Talks Project: Heat and Hazards in Far North Queensland

The Table Talks Project invites locals to share their stories and experiences of Far North Queensland’s climate extremes – from floods to heatwaves, and the ways our lives are impacted by these events. The stories from the 2023 Barron River floods have now been compiled into a community report to support advocacy for solutions. Check…
Resilient Kids – Healthy North Coast

Good mental health is important for every child’s development, to help them deal with challenges, feel good about themselves, build healthy relationships, and enjoy life.  Healthy North Coast has partnered with schools, communities, and mental health professionals to deliver mental health and wellbeing supports for children and young people across the Northern Rivers as part…
ACYP Flood Awareness Consultations with NSW Northern Rivers Children and Young People

In 2023, over a period of nine months, the ACYP Recovery Youth Support Service had the privilege of consulting with more than 500 children and young people affected by the NSW floods as many continue to deal with the lasting trauma the floods caused. Check out their outcomes here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYX4aK4mki0
Make a Change – BIG Weather

Let’s Talk About the Weather is a comprehensive communications, engagement, collaboration & skills building program. To raise awareness for & support the development of local solutions to the impacts of extreme weather. The program listed here was delivered in the Loddon Mallee region in 2024 and has finished, but the site still contains useful links…
South Hobart Resilience Fair 2024

The South Hobart Resilience Fair occurred in November 2024, and was an opportunity for the community of South Hobart to come together and discuss climate resilience, featuring sessions on: the science of resilience, sparking conversations about bushfire, and activating neighbourhoods. It also featured a huge seed swap, NITA Education sharing dreaming stories and traditional dance…
Community Climate Resilience Forum

This event’s aim was to support the community in building their resilience and preparedness in the event of a climate disaster. As we see an increase in climate-related emergencies and climate stress on the Australian community, it is important that everyone feels empowered. Strength during these uncertain times comes from community readiness, awareness and action.…
Palaces for the People: How to Build a More Equal and United Society by Eric Klinenberg

This review provides an overview of Eric Klinenberg’s book ‘Palaces for the People: How to Build a More Equal and United Society’, which has a central subject matter of what makes a good city – namely, public spaces like libraries and parks. Klinenberg stresses the adaptability and essentiality of these spaces, and their importance for…
‘Knowledge keeps the fires burning’: how ancient Indigenous wisdom can transform our battle against climate change

This article articulates the different ways in which Indigenous knowledges can support Australia in adapting to a changing climate. It points to the need for respectful inclusion of Indigenous voices, valuing of Indigenous peoples abilities to identify and adapt to climate changes, sharing this information inclusively with all via influential platforms, and using the Aboriginal…
Woy Woy Peninsula Climate Change Adaptation Study

The Woy Woy Peninsula is located within the Brisbane Water catchment, in the Central Coast Local Government Area. Previous studies of Brisbane Water [Brisbane Water Foreshore Flood Study (Cardno Lawson Treloar, 2013) and the Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan (Cardno, 2015)] have shown that low-lying portions of Woy Woy Peninsula will become increasingly untenable…
Marks Point and Belmont South Local Adaptation Plan tidal flaps trial

Marks Point is a low lying area that experiences frequent tidal inundation from Lake Macquarie. Local tidal inundation is projected to increase as sea levels rise due to climate change. As part of the Marks Point and Belmont South Local Adaptation Plan, the community proposed to address this risk by using tidal flaps (or valves)…
Trialling tidal gates at Swansea

Swansea is a picturesque town perched on the edge of Lake Macquarie, the largest coastal saltwater lake in the Southern Hemisphere. Tidal inundation is already a challenge for the town and predicted sea level rises are expected to increase the impact of high tides. Lake Macquarie City Council is trialling three tidal gates to determine…
RetroSuburbia Bushfire Resilience Extract

This is an extract from the book RetroSuburbia: the downshifter’s guide to a resilient future, a 550 page richly illustrated manual that has become a best seller since its publication in February 2018. The production and availability of this extract as a free and sharable download is part of the response to the Australian bushfire…
Tenterfield Bushfire Learning Review: Summary Findings – Fire to Flourish

After the 2023 bushfires in Tenterfield, Fire to Flourish worked with community members to complete a post-bushfire review – an essential way to learn from a disaster about what worked, what didn’t and what can be improved. This Research Summary outlines the findings of the Review and presents five community-developed strategic priorities for future resilience…
Ku-ring-gai Simtable bushfire modelling tool

The NSW Government, in association with LGNSW, is providing funding assistance to NSW councils to address identified climate risks and increase resilience. Case studies and videos of completed projects demonstrating some of the great work being undertaken that can be applied to other councils can be found on LGNSW’s website (see the page Building Resistance…
Cobargo Community Bushfire Recovery Fund Independent Review – Fire to Flourish

This report documents and shares the story of the Cobargo Community Bushfire Recovery Fund (CCBRF), to reflect on its experience, celebrate its achievements, and to offer the lessons learned to other communities preparing for, or recovering from disasters. These lessons are also relevant to government agencies, philanthropic and not-for-profit organisations who wish to support communities…
Fire-smart farming: how the crops we plant could help reduce the risk of wildfires on agricultural landscapes

This article discusses the use of plants whose properties help mitigate fires. It finds many common crops and pastures are low in flammability and could be used to redesign agricultural landscapes to help suppress wildfires. Check out the full article here:https://theconversation.com/fire-smart-farming-how-the-crops-we-plant-could-help-reduce-the-risk-of-wildfires-on-agricultural-landscapes-215703
Choose your model – land ownership

Want to buy land? Who’s going to own it? Important stuff. This article helps users decide which model of land ownership will work best for their intentional community, based on their group’s ethics, budget, closeness, etc. Check it out here: https://www.ecovillages.au/post/2-choose-your-model-land-ownership
Grounded Community Land Trust – DIY Affordable Community Housing

This is Karl Fitzgerald, Managing Director, Grounded Community Land Trust Advocacy’s presentation at the DIY Affordable Housing webinar held on 25 September 2024. The Tasmanian Housing Conservancy recently hosted a free public webinar featuring Grounded’s Karl Fitzgerald and Linda Seaborn from the Business Council of Cooperatives and Mutuals (BCCM).The event offered practical advice on establishing…
Grounded Australia 2024

GROUNDED is a cross between a world class conference, an informative field day and a cracking food festival. The first one was run in the beautiful Huon Valley in Southern Tasmania in December 2024. Inspired by Groundswell in the UK, and run with their blessing, GROUNDED is reimagining farmer learning by running multiple talks and…
Fork in the Road: Impacts of Climate Change on our Food Supply – Farmers for Climate Action report

This report, published by FCA, highlights the different climate impacts on the agrifood sector, the associated risks, and the opportunities emerging from them. It comprehensively covers the whole food supply chain, from inputs, to transport, to processing, storage, retail and consumption, before sketching out some proposals on how industry and governments should respond. Check out…
Land Studio in Capertee Valley and Hartley

Land Studio is a program that mingles art, science and land restoration. Land Studio camps tend to be 3-4 days in length and take place on farms and other rural landscapes. They bridge the city/country divide and bring together students, volunteers, farmers, Indigenous custodians, scientists, local community, artists and anyone else interested in regeneration. Each…
Wollondilly Shire Council – Mapping Sydney’s foodsheds

Local food production in the Sydney basin provides many benefits and underpins the resilience of the city. Yet competing priorities for Sydney’s fertile farmland and the impacts of climate change could threaten future supplies of fresh, local food. By mapping Sydney’s current and future food production, an evidence base was created to support effective policies…
GWYMAC Landcare – Preparing for the next Big Dry

GWYMAC Landcare coordinates projects across 40,000 sqm of land that spans the Macintyre and Gwydir catchments and the communities of Inverell, Delungra, Ashford, Yetman, Tingha and Bundarra. With the help of a grant from the NSW Government, GWYMAC Landcare recently staged a series of workshops so landholders could learn about regenerative agriculture. A rehydration workshop,…
ANU – Innovating access to local produce

Kayleigh Sleath is an undergraduate Bachelor of Engineering Research and Development student at The Australian National University (ANU). Kayleigh has developed an app, called Ohna, that allows people to look through the produce available at the Capital Region Farmers Market in Canberra and pre-order their groceries. Kayleigh is working with the Market organisers, stallholders, and…
GUIDE: Heat action plans – Scaling up India’s ambition to protect the climate-vulnerable

This CDKN Guide presents the story of how an action research initiative in a single city in India has evolved into contagious policy action in 17 cities and 11 states, with interest from national leadership. By starting small and learning by doing, heat-wave planning and response has become increasingly ambitious in Ahmedabad, the capital of…
Sweltering Cities – Greater Melbourne Heat Alliance comes together for heatwave adaptation and transformation priorities

This video and report details an event held by The Greater Melbourne Heat Alliance, where community organisations and leaders came together with a few objectives in mind: meet people outside their usual networks and make connections that would better prepare them for cooperation and communication, take a deep dive into how risk and vulnerability are…
Campbelltown Cool Spaces for Summer 2023/2024 Trial

Campbelltown City Council trialled trialled The ARC Campbelltown and Campbelltown Public Library as Cool Spaces during summer of 2023/24, and it was a success! Check out the full presentation here:https://www.climateemergencyaustralia.org.au/uploads/1/4/5/0/145015538/day_2_-_adaptation_in_action.pdf
Western Sydney modular smart shelter for buses

A modular bus shelter with design features such as shade panels, self-watering gardens, adjustable seats and recycling bins has won a public design competition seeking “smart” shelters that better cope with urban heat from climate change. Check out the design here:https://www.australiandesignreview.com/designwall/climate-adapted-people-shelter/
Dubbo urban heat island amelioration project

An urban heat amelioration project in Dubbo, NSW, that intended to reduce Bultje Street’s LST during heatwaves: from 58C hard surfaces including buildings, roofs and asphalt to 38C under and near tree canopies. Tree pits also intended to provide a stormwater function by reducing water quantity and pollutant loads discharging to the Macquarie River, and…
Bega Valley Shire Council Cool Spaces

Communities of the Bega Valley rural villages of Bemboka, Quaama and Wyndham are identified as vulnerable to extreme heat events due to the age of residents, distance to health providers, and design of community infrastructure. Council has been awarded a grant through the NSW Government’s ‘Increasing Resilience to Climate Change’ (IRCC) program to develop solutions…
Cool Streets© Blacktown, NSW – Pilot Project

The pilot project is a community – led implementation project developed by Gallagher Studio in collaboration with CRED Consulting, supported by Blacktown City Council. The project, undertaken in late 2015 and early 2016 was designed to empower residents to take the lead in deciding on the layout and type of trees on their street, with…
Bendigo Health – Cool Spaces

This report endorses the establishment of more Cool Spaces in and around the Bendigo area. It provides an explainer on why they are important, where they could be located, what the key components of one are, and a case study of Foster, Mirboo North and Poowong library, who offer 24-hour access to facilities for approved…
Growing Green Guide – City of Melbourne

The Growing Green Guide is the first comprehensive guide to green roofs, walls and facades in Australia. It explains how to create and maintain successful green roofs, walls and facades. The guide also contains case studies and technical information about design, planning, construction, installation and maintenance. The guide is for use by homeowners, developers, governments…
Galada Tamboore, Campbellfield

Melbourne Water worked with Merri Creek Management Committee and Hume City Council to design a project that will enhance amenity and public use of the shared path through Galada Tamboore, while protecting remnant grassland vegetation and biodiversity values within the reserve. The project will create tree canopy over a 1.2 km stretch of the Merri…
Maribyrnong River – Melbourne Water project

In partnership with Maribyrnong City Council, Melbourne Water planted 250 native trees (mix of eucalyptus species) at: That’s six hectares more shade trees for greening and cooling the Lower Maribyrnong that are now growing well. Check it out here:https://www.melbournewater.com.au/water-and-environment/climate-change/urban-cooling
Edithvale Wetlands, Edithvale

Melbourne Water worked with the Friends of Edithvale-Seaford Wetland to select plant species and planting locations to create shade for walkers and joggers, enhance biodiversity and retain lines of sight across the area. As part of this project, supported by Kingston City Council, they planted: Check it out here:https://www.melbournewater.com.au/water-and-environment/climate-change/urban-cooling
Jacana Wetlands, Gladstone Park

With support from Hume City Council, Melbourne Water collaborated with the Friends of Moonee Ponds Creek to enhance natural biodiversity of parklands and a major bicycle commuter route along a key waterway. In mid-2018 they planted: 170 native Red Gum trees to create shade for walkers and joggers12,500 native shrubs to create understory garden beds…
Sweltering Cities – Inquiry into Climate Resilience submission

This submission from Sweltering Cities to the Victorian Legislative Council Environment and Planning Committee is for the Inquiry into Climate Resilience. It illuminates the work done by The Greater Melbourne Heat Alliance (GMHA), aiming to improve heatwave resilience in Greater Melbourne, and highlighting the ways extreme heat as a public health crisis is impacting Melburnians,…
Using Community Spaces to Manage Heatwaves – The Royal Society of Victoria

This article provides an overview of work recently delivered by the Western Alliance for Greenhouse Action (WAGA), a partnership of councils in the west of Melbourne, with support from Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) and Yarra Energy Foundation (YEF). The project included selection and assessment of a range of community buildings, views…
Sweltering Cities – submission to the Victorian Government’s rental crisis inquiry

In 2022, Sweltering Cities was collecting stories from renters across Victoria about what it feels like to live in a hot home. They compiled these stories into a submission to the Victorian Government’s inquiry into the rental and housing affordability crisis. These powerful stories paint a stark picture of the struggles that renters are facing…
City of Melbourne HeatLab Evaluation Report

This report evaluated the innovation sandbox project addressing heat vulnerability and risk in urban neighbourhoods by the City of Melbourne known as ‘HeatLab’. FirstPerson Consulting has developed this particular evaluation, helping to understand HeatLab’s effectiveness, lessons for delivery, and which interventions have impact and which should be rolled and scaled into future summers. Check out…
Fleet of EVs feeding power back into Australia’s electricity grid

Vehicle-to-grid technology enables electric vehicles to contribute their large batteries and high (dis)charging powers to power systems reserves. In this report, the first demonstration of a fleet of vehicles discharging to support system security after a frequency contingency in a national grid was tested. The results highlight the potential of vehicle-to-grid, with vehicles discharging within…
Heyfield MyTown Microgrid

MyTown Microgrid was an innovative, multi-year, multi-stakeholder project undertaking a detailed data-led feasibility study for the historic town of Heyfield. The objective was a better energy future for the people of Heyfield, and a role model for other communities. Over the three-year duration, the project aimed to undertake a detailed data-led microgrid and energy solutions…
ANU – Neighbourhood battery impact framework

To facilitate these evaluations, the Australian National University (ANU), in collaboration with the Victorian Government, has recently released the ANU neighbourhood battery impact framework. This comprehensive tool prepared by Dr Wendy Russell, Louise Bardwell, Dr Hedda Ransan-Cooperand Dr Marnie Shaw serves as a guide for conducting effective evaluations, particularly for battery projects funded by taxpayers.…
FFOLK (East Gippsland) and Energy Innovation Co-Operative Ltd. – Renewable Energy in Resilient Communities – Bemm River

FFOLK partnered with Energy Innovation Co-op Ltd to deliver a component of the Resilient Community Energy Smart Grids Pilot, exploring how regional communities can co-design and develop community energy assets for smarter energy transition and greater resilience planning. This report details how the project went. Check it out here:https://energy-innovation.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/1.-Resources-page_Renewable-Energy-in-Resilient-Communities.pdf
FFOLK (East Gippsland) and Energy Innovation Co-Operative Ltd. – Renewable Energy in Resilient Communities – Buchan

FFOLK partnered with Energy Innovation Co-op Ltd to deliver a component of the Resilient Community Energy Smart Grids Pilot, exploring how regional communities can co-design and develop community energy assets for smarter energy transition and greater resilience planning. This report details how the project went. Check it out here:https://energy-innovation.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/1.-Resources-page_Renewable-Energy-in-Resilient-Communities.pdf
Caring for Country as a Cultural Landscape – Damien Bell FRSV

Gunditjmara man Damein Bell FRSV outlines the role of First Peoples relating to the health of Country, exploring reconnecting people to the land remaining in the public estate and the social, governance and resourcing challenges of access and management of land as a Cultural Landscape. Check it out here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLAZH7r_0k0
National First Peoples Gathering on Climate Change Report

This report was produced after the Earth Systems and Climate Change Hub hosted the National First Peoples Gathering on Climate Change (the Gathering), to collaborate, learn from and enhance First Peoples-led climate action. They set out to strengthen kinships, cultural identity, and well-being, and to strengthen caring for Country by using both Indigenous and scientific…
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ voices and engagement in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

This is an independent report to the Australian government, commissioned by the government to illuminate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ knowledges and perspectives, and ensure they are represented by accurately by First Nations scholars and Knowledge holders themselves. Check it out here:https://public-health.uq.edu.au/files/25162/IPCC-Voices-Report.pdf
Neighbourhood Houses Victoria – Inquiry into the 2022 Flood Event in Victoria

This submission details lessons learnt by neighbourhood houses during the 2022 Victorian Floods, contributed by Keir Paterson. The submission focuses on recommended measures to strengthen the natural role already played by neighbourhood houses in disaster response and recovery. It provides valuable insight into both current approaches, and ways the system can be improved looking to…
Women Rising: Empowering Flood Recovery Report

This report, written in response to the 2022 Victorian Floods, fits within a broader body of flood recovery work undertaken by Women’s Health Loddon Mallee to apply an intersectional feminist lens to flood recovery and utilise the Gender and Emergency Management (GEM) guidelines. It informs the development of a recovery model that centres the mental…
Cardinia Hills Youth Fire Readiness Program

The Cardinia Hills Youth Fire Readiness Project was a behavioural change program designed to enable peer led cultural change in the attitudes and readiness of local youth towards fire safety. It sought to build skills, values and capacity of young people to encourage a pro fire safety culture. The areas in which participants lived included…
Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance – Retrofitting for Resilience Research Project

The Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance partnered with the Castlemaine Institute on this 12-month research project to understand the barriers and identify practical options for households in the Loddon Mallee region to upgrade their homes and properties to be more resilient to climate-related extreme events. The project was funded by Loddon Mallee Adapt, a program of…