AWE Women in Emergencies for Climate Action

Information

Women in Emergencies for Climate Action is a chapter of the Australasian Women in Emergencies Network (AWE) https:///awenetwork.org.au 

Membership of the chapter is free and open to any member of AWE. You can subscribe to the group to get information about meetings, news, events, resources. If you would like to receive emails, resources, news and events about the Women in Emergencies for Climate Action chapter, please sign up using the form at the bottom of this page

The Chapter meets bi-monthly, usually on the third Wednesday of the month. Details and links to the online meeting invitation can be found on the AWE Events Calendar https://awenetwork.org.au/events.

Further details about the group are below.

For further information, please contact Amanda Lamont, Chapter Lead at amanda@amandalamont.com or send an email to info@awenetwork.org.au.

Position Statement

AWE and AWE Women in Emergencies for Climate Action recognise the significant impacts of climate change on our lives, and specifically in the changing disaster landscape, through more extreme, frequent and compounding emergencies and the long term cascading flow on consequences. Women have an important role to play in emergencies and we believe it is our role and responsibility to act on climate change and to mitigate against and adapt to the immediate and long term consequences.  

Women in Emergencies for Climate Action also recognise the specific impact and consequences that climate change has on women, both in the disaster context, and generally in women’s lives.

The AWE Women in Emergencies for Climate Action Chapter has five focus areas, considering climate change in the context of:

  • women working and volunteering in emergencies
  • communities
  • environment, conservation and biodiversity
  • gender 
  • research 

There are many active groups in Australia, New Zealand, and globally, contributing to the growing movement and taking action against climate change. We believe it is important to add the voice and actions of women who work in, volunteer, or play a role in emergencies and disaster resilience. Members of AWE represent a very diverse, inclusive and far reaching cross section of organisations, sectors, governments, communities and groups, all of which have a key role to play in taking action against climate change.

We have members who represent the following groups:

  • Emergency services agencies
  • Emergency management sector
  • Local, state, territory and national governments
  • First Nations People
  • Health and well-being and social services
  • NGOs and not-for profit and for-purpose organisations
  • Education
  • Research
  • Environment and biodiversity
  • Community groups
  • Volunteer organisations
  • Corporate and private sector
  • Transport and industry
  • Households and individuals

Action and Opportunities

Women in Emergencies for Climate Action aims to be a strong and inclusive voice in climate change advocacy and action, sharing experience and expertise, and leveraging our partnerships and networks to add our voice and commitment to the climate emergency.

In recognising the climate emergency we are currently facing, we also recognise that there is much already being done to mitigate and adapt to climate change and our contribution to promoting and celebrating advancements in this work is key to supporting the groundswell of activity and climate action.

Some examples of the activities members of this group can support include:

  • provide advice and resources about climate action – mitigation and adaptation
  • represent our organisations and AWE where relevant and appropriate
  • use our database to survey and understand and add our voice to the conversations
  • connect with other women in climate action groups and work together, share and support
  • learn from and partner with First Nations People
  • concentrate on local opportunities – place based

Some examples of the ways this group can support AWE members include:

  • develop an AWE climate change position statement
  • we can share information, resources, templates, links, events with each other
  • be a support group when we face challenges and blockages in our work and personal life with respect to climate change
  • support and share research
  • help each other do our job – eg I need to write a climate change adaptation plan, has anyone else done one who can help me? share draft or template
  • networking and making connections

Key Stakeholders

Meeting information 

The Chapter meets bi-monthly, usually on the third Wednesday of the month. Details and links to the online meeting invitation can be found on the AWE Events Calendar https://awenetwork.org.au/events.

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