On Wednesday November 11, and Thursday November 12, 2009 Connectors came together with members of GetUp! to take part in A Call for Climate Action.

A crash course in democratic participation, those who took part were able to call our political representatives on the phone before they headed back to Canberra to decide our climate future.

What was it all about?

"Two weeks ago I went to a community workshop where the group called politicians about climate change. At first we dithered and mumbled about who we'd call. My heart boomed and my palms sweated as I dialed my local member's number.

'Voicemail,' I said, a bit disappointed and relieved. 'I'll hang up.'

'No, no! Leave a message!' urged the others.

'Umm, I live in your electorate and I just want to say...' I begun hesitantly."

- Kathryn - Union Climate Connectors Team

What was achieved?

In the four workshops, two in Sydney and two in Brisbane, Connectors and GetUp members banished all shyness,
found those right words, and by the end felt like an old
hand at talking with politicians about climate action.

Telling their own stories, and asking for a commitment
from the politician to take actions themselves whether it
be to call back, or mention it in the partyroom, in
question time or in front of the media.

There was an amazing buzz afterwards as the group came
back together to let everyone know how they went, almost
jumping out of their seats with excitement at what they'd achieved.

Over the course of the two days, there were 150 calls made to MPs and Senators across NSW and QLD telling them that climate action creates jobs and that Australia should be a leader in creating a clean energy economy.

The feedback after the session was so positive, people felt empowered to phone their local member - no matter what level of government - about ways to tackle the climate crisis!