What we do Projects Climate Change and Environment Program We are partnering with Museums Victoria and The Royal Society of Victoria to make climate action a priority for neighbourhood houses in 2021. The aim of the Climate Change and Environment program is to generate community conversations and greater local action on the issue of climate change, through a number of initiatives taking place across the year: National Science Week Grants Thriving Future Workshops Expert Connections Forums Share your climate change story Climate Action Award Important dates of recognition Resources Watch the information session to find out more: National Science Week Grants Grants have been made available to help neighbourhood houses deliver events for National Science Week in August. As part of Inspiring Victoria's National Science Week theme, ACCLIMATISE, the events will showcase local initiatives or projects in any of the sciences associated with sustainability. Congratulations to the following neighbourhood houses: Alphington Community Centre Anglesea Community House Aspendale Gardens Community Services Balla Balla Community Centre Castlemaine Community House Charlton Neighbourhood House Greenhills Neighbourhood House Haddon Community Learning Centre Hamilton Community House Iramoo Community Centre Japara Neighbourhood House Kerang Neighbourhood House Living and Learning Pakenham Rosewall Community Centre South Kingsville Community Centre The Centre: Connecting Community in North and West Melbourne Whittlesea Community House Wycheproof Community Resource Centre Yarram Neighbourhood House Read up on these exciting events Thriving Future Workshops This short workshop series takes a conversational approach to understanding the many faces of climate change and its local impacts. Together the course participants will answer ‘What can we do for a thriving future and how do we get there?’ Perfect for houses who are keen to make a change but are not sure where to start. Expert Connections Forums Expand your knowledge about the impacts of climate change with these free webinars facilitated by expert guest speakers: 1 April: Platypus and the changing environment - what's needed to help populations thrive in future? 27 May: Frogs, bogs, bushfire – how will Australian frogs survive climate change? 4 June: The Cosy Project: how to save energy, reduce greenhouse gases and stay warm this winter You can register here and watch previous recordings of the above forums. More to be announced across the year. Share your climate change story Inspire other community organisations and get the recognition you deserve by sharing your story on the Museums Victoria website. Climate Action Award A new category as part of our 2021 NHVic Awards, this was for projects, programs or initiatives which address the climate emergency on a local level. The winner was announced in May. Congratulations to Anglesea Community House. Their Anglesea Resale Shed has played an important role in helping the local community understand the benefits of the circular economy and creates opportunities for the community to participate in climate action. The Resale Shed helps divert an estimated 144 tonnes of non-organic material from landfill each year. Volunteer community groups, including disability support services groups, manage the day to day sales and to date, the Resale Shed has raised over $200,000 for local community groups. Read about the finalists Important dates to recognise Plan activities and/or promote these important dates: 27 March: Earth Hour (8.30pm-9.30pm AEST) 22 April: Earth Day 5 June: World Environment Day 1-31 July: Plastic Free July 1 August: National Tree Day 14-22 August: National Science Week 8-14 November: National Recycling Week Resources Social Media tiles We have developed a series of social media square tiles which you can download and share to your social media channels to demonstrate the practical ways individuals and local communities can combat climate change. Download the social media tiles Useful links to learn more about climate change: Sustainable Development Goal 13: Climate ActionThe United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals includes taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. State of the Climate 2020State of the Climate draws on the latest climate research, encompassing observations, analyses and projections to describe year-to-year variability and longer-term changes in Australia’s climate. Recent State Government announcements: Victoria set to deliver cash for cans (12 April) Mordialloc Freeway recycled plastic noise walls a world first (1 March) Victoria taking action on single-use plastics (27 February) Electric vehicle technology pulls in to Maryborough (16 February) Regional Victoria a step closer to four stream recycling (16 February) Neighbourhod Houses Victoria is proud to be partnering with Museums Victoria and The Royal Society of Victoria, with support from Inspiring Victoria.