Queensland Climate Movement

This workshop identified a series of ways and means for groups and individuals within the Queensland Climate Movement to work together more effectively. It noted the current successes of climate emergency networks around the country, and posed a series of questions about the needs and possibilities for collaborative campaigning.

Questions about collaboration

Participants in this workshop agreed that working locally with communities is a good and important place to start, but we need to connect with others that are working in other regions if we are to be more effective. From this premise, however, a series of questions necessarily arise, including:

• Do we need to get consensus on key issues, for example environment or climate change focus? Can we work with together with different objectives or different approaches to key issues?
• Do we need a co-ordinating entity?
• What is the role of political parties in this? Do we want or need to participate in electoral politics?
• What level of community mobilisation is required? Whole of community? War-time mobilisation?
• Do we need some form of co-ordination? Can this be done online? How will it be resourced?

What is working at the present time

Alliances, networks and covenants are currently being developed and acted upon at all levels. The Summit itself is a reflection of this.

Of particular interest in this group was the recent emergence of Climate Emergency Networks. Climate Emergency Networks have developed in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. These groups are developing online presence, co-ordinating actions and events. These networks represent an important interface between the multiple groups with multiple interests and objectives. These alliances and networks need to extend and facilitate actions from a local to a global level.

Learnings from these networks include the need for clear messages and the identification of common rallying points, communication, providing for a hub of exchange of information and knowledge, resource and experience.

What happens next?

• Do we need all Queensland groups to get togeher to plan a joint strategy?
• Should this occur at a national level?
• Who will co-ordinate this process?
• What are the infrastructure needs for a state-wide or national strategy?