UPDATE RE COVID-19:  When we started preparing the letter you've received in the mail, bushfires and climate change was the big topic on everyone’s minds. Now, of course, we’re all very worried about the escalating COVID-19 situation. (For information on how you can help others during this pandemic, click here.) 

While responding to COVID-19 must be the world’s primary focus for now and possibly for many months to come, we must also remain vigilant in the fight to tackle climate change - so that we can avoid further catastrophic impacts like this summer's fires. So, thank you, for supporting bushfire-affected communities and for helping to keep the climate crisis on the agenda. 

Bushfire-affected communities across Victoria are calling out for help. Here in inner Melbourne, we can support them.

People I’ve spoken to from bushfire-affected communities have told me we can help from Melbourne by calling for stronger action on climate change.

Right here in Victoria we still get 70% of our electricity from mining and burning local brown coal, which is the biggest source of emissions in Victoria, causing climate change and making bushfires worse.

I’m calling on the Victorian government to urgently transition away from fossil fuels and to a prosperous, clean-energy future. Add your voice to the chorus calling for climate action and sign our petition to phase out coal in Victoria. 

Further, we can help support bushfire-affected communities by supporting local businesses, visiting bushfire-affected areas (when it’s safe to do so), donating or volunteering.

Here are some valuable ways you can help:

• Visit bushfire-affected areas and support local businesses. For some suggestions, visit Roadtrip for Good and the Spend with Them Instagram page.
• Donate to help our wildlife recover. Some good organisations include the Australian Conservation Foundation, Zoos Victoria and Wildlife Victoria.
• Donate to help those directly affected by the bushfires through the government’s Victorian Bushfire Appeal.
• Volunteer to help rebuild fences with Blaze Aid.
• Volunteer to help environmental recovery through Conservation Volunteers Australia.
• Donate to an organisation that advocates for stronger action on climate change, such as The Climate Council, the Australian Youth Climate Coalition, SEED Mob or Friends of the Earth Victoria.

The road to recovery will be long but together we can help get affected communities back on their feet and restore damaged ecosystems.

With hope,

Ellen