We’re officially living in a warmer climate. 

According to the UN, our planet has heated 1 degree, since the industrial revolution. The fires, floods, rising sea levels and extreme temperatures due to climate change are just beginning.

It’s time to re-imagine the way that we live in our homes and with our communities as the fabric of our planet is changing.

Supply your own water for the garden

Keen to create an oasis of veggies, flowers and space for native animals to enjoy? According to the CSIRO, Canberra’s climate is predicted to be drier, so you’ll need water. Luckily, we have a few options.

A rainwater tank is perfect for people who want good quality water that can be directly applied to plants. Capturing your greywater—the water that you’ve used to shower, bath and wash clothes is a perfect way to make use of water that would have been treated and sent off down the Murrumbidgee River.

Greywater is not for your veggie patch, but it’s perfect for plants that you don’t eat. Capturing greywater is also pretty cheap—costing as little as $30 for a hose that connects up to the end of your washing machine.

Insulate against temperature extremes

More and bigger extremes, both hot and cold, are expected as a result of climate change.

To create an oasis at home, no matter what the temperature, you can insulate—the ceiling, walls and floor. There’s almost always room for more insulation. Don’t stop until you’ve run out of space to put your insulation materials.

If you’re insulating, you’ll also want to seal up the cracks that leak hot or cold air. Check out Lish Fejer’s DIY video on how to draught-proof your home.

Live with 100% renewable energy

Congratulations—because we live in Canberra, our government is making this possible for every Canberran.

From 2020, Canberra will be 100% powered by renewable energy due to wind and solar farms across Australia. Super keen to be independent and powered by renewables? Get yourself home solar panels and a battery.

And… all of us need to say goodbye to gas. There are cost-competitive alternatives for gas heating and cooking. Make the switch when your current appliances reach their end of life. 

Waste less stuff

Every piece of stuff that we buy new was created from our planet. We extract minerals from the ground, grow crops for food and fibre, manufacture and transport—all using energy and water. When we created less stuff, there’s a global energy and water-saving.

Try a buy nothing new challenge…for a week, a month or a year (excluding food and essential medicines) and see how this changes the way you think about new things.

You can still source the things that you need to live, just buy second hand with Gumtree, join the buy nothing Facebook network to give and receive free stuff and scour local thrift stores.

Live simply and be inspired by Marie Kondo’s clutter-free life.

Be an emergency services volunteer

Rural firefighters and state emergency services are staffed by the community. The training is pretty cool and you’ll meet other like-minded people. You can also be confident that your volunteering time will make a difference, to life and death situations.

We’re going to need many, many more volunteers as our climate continues to change and natural disasters become more frequent.

Love our wildlife

Better understanding populations of wildlife is not just the domain of scientists.

Citizens are increasingly being welcomed to the team with programs like frog watch, bogong moth tracker and climate watch.

You can be part of the solution to climate change adaptation for wildlife, without needing to work in the field full-time.

Be part of the movement for climate change action

Connect with organisations like one million women, 350.org and student strike for climate action.

One million women was founded by Natalie Isaccs, who started out as a cosmetics manufacturer, had an epiphany and turned her life upside down.

Add your voice and your money, so that these movements can be stronger.

We can create an oasis in the changing climate, it just takes a little creativity and the desire to change.