Australians have already made amazing progress. We’ve adopted rooftop solar at world-leading rates, embraced recycling and composting schemes, and increased demand for ethical, local and sustainable products. These personal choices matter – but we shouldn’t have to carry this responsibility alone. We need big players – governments and corporations – to do their part too. And we can all play a role in encouraging them to act.
This year’s World Environment Day theme, Ending Plastic Pollution, is a great example of how personal and collective actions combined can have incredible results. Choosing reusable bags or avoiding single-use plastic is super important – but it was coordinated political pressure that helped deliver plastic bans across all states and territories, and consumer action that has driven major retailers like Coles and Woolworths to reduce plastic packaging. That’s the power of collective action.
There are loads of great ways we can encourage governments and companies to keep taking actions towards the kind of future we want to see. Here are just a few examples:
Give your time
Join a group that aligns with your interests – like the KV Environment Group, Landcare, Crop & Swap, Reconciliation Allies, Friends of the Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby or Resilient KV. Contribute to citizen science projects like the Annual KV Echidna Count or apps like iNaturalist. Become a wildlife carer or rescuer. Nothing out there that piques your interest? Start something yourself!
Raise your voice
Local and national elections determine who shapes environmental policy. When you vote, support candidates and policies that prioritise First Nations leadership and knowledge, climate resilience and biodiversity. Make sure your local representatives know about the environmental issues you care about – by contacting them directly or attending public events.
Share your skills
Whatever you’re good at, there’s a way to put it to good use. Maybe it’s cooking a sausage, fixing a fence or helping set up chairs. Maybe you’re great with computers or spreadsheets or social media posts. Campaigns and community groups often just need a little extra help – and maybe you’ve got just the skills they need.
Connect with your networks
We’ve all got people we can influence – whether it’s in a workplace, sports club or group chat. Talk about what matters to you. Friends and family are more likely to listen to someone they trust – and that’s one of the best antidotes to the noise and misinformation online. Sometimes it’s the quiet conversations that can have the biggest impact.
Use your money
Every dollar you spend is a vote for the kind of world you want to live in. Support businesses that treat people and the planet well – especially local ones! Look at where your Super or bank is invested – and consider switching to a fund with good environmental credentials. If you can, donate to environmental organisations. Even small, regular donations can make a big difference, contributing to conservation efforts, research, advocacy, education and Indigenous-led Caring for Country initiatives.
Ella Colley
Ella Colley is an environmental campaigner with more than a decade working with local, national and international environmental organisations. She was the Head of Creative at Greenpeace Australia Pacific and currently works in environmental philanthropy.
