When we put a call out to our national local group network to host an event for World Environment Day, we weren’t sure exactly what would end up on the calendar. What we did know is that whatever our local groups decided to do would be fabulous.

And wow, we weren’t wrong!

Since May 30th, 10 events have been hosted around the continent, engaging more than 500 people, with three more planned for this coming weekend. Each event has been a beautiful opportunity to bring people together, build local relationships, and amplify community-led climate solutions.

Let’s be honest: between school runs, lunchbox prep, and the endless pile of laundry, "saving the planet" can feel like just another thing to feel guilty about. When we see news of rising temperatures, it’s easy to feel stuck. But the truth is, it isn't up to any one family to fix this alone; it requires a collective response. That’s why Parents for Climate exists - to empower us to take action together and build support networks in our communities.

With World Environment Day approaching on June 5th, this year’s global theme - The signals are clear. What comes next is up to us - feels especially relevant. It’s an opportunity to pause and think about the "signals" we are sending. The planet is signaling us through heatwaves, more intense rainfall and shifting seasons; in response, we can signal that our families care, that we are ready for change, and that we’re moving toward a cleaner future together.

What do you get when you combine two cardboard cubby houses, a roll of tin foil, a big box of Duplo, and a face painter with 16 kids and 25 determined parents?

You get Powering Our Kids’ Future, our first-ever Parents for Climate event held inside the halls of Parliament House.

It wasn't your typical political briefing. The halls of Parliament are usually filled with suits and stern faces, instead we brought high-vis vests, hard hats, and a healthy dose of "kid energy" to show our leaders exactly what a safe, powered-up future looks like.

Who says being a "prankster" has to land you in the principal's office?

I recently sat down with my daughter to read The Power of Positive Pranking by Australian author Nat Amoore (shout out to Rebecca Sparrow’s Rebel Readers Book Club for the recommendation!). Whether you’re a parent looking for a way to talk about the planet without the "doom and gloom," or a kid who thinks adults are moving way too slowly, this book is for you.

For many of us, "tackling climate change" feels like another impossible item on a never-ending to-do list. However, three Melbourne mums including Tan Allaway recently proved that you don’t need a specialized degree or endless free time to make a massive impact. You just need a few like-minded friends and a starting point.

At Parents for Climate, our inbox is usually a hub for advocacy and community organizing. But during a recent heatwave, a different kind of opportunity landed: a journalist wanted to investigate the dangers of astroturf and synthetic playground surfaces.

We are the Blue Mountains local action group of Parents for Climate—Australia’s largest parent-driven climate network—committed to climate justice for children, young people, families and future generations. Since November 2022, we’ve hosted quarterly kids’ clothes and toy swaps, redistributing 200–250 kg of clothing and 50–100 kg of toys each time, alongside free cloth nappy support and advice to families—reducing waste, easing cost-of-living pressures, and modelling sustainable practices across generations. We are on a mission to make reusing kids’ clothes and toy items the norm!

In July 2024, we were honoured with a Binfluencer Award from Blue Mountains City Council for excellence in waste avoidance and community leadership. Our swap is also a key case study in the Council’s Community Towards Net Zero Plan (2024-2033). Our highly attended swaps act as an accessible entry point for families into parent-led climate action. Through inclusive, practical, intergenerational events, we are transforming parental anxiety into meaningful climate action—for the wellbeing of children now and into the future.

How to Get Involved

We run our Kids’ Clothes and Toy Swaps each season at Katoomba Lighthouse, 126 Victoria St, North Katoomba. In 2026, our swaps will be held on: 

• Autumn – 7th March 2026
• Winter – 6th June 2026
• Spring – 12th September 2026
• Summer/Christmas – 5th December 2026
  

To stay in the loop, join our mailing list and follow us on [Facebook] and [Instagram] for updates and swap day reminders.

What to Bring

Bring along up to 10 good-quality, pre-loved items of children's clothing, and up to 10 good-quality toys, and or books. We also welcome donations in advance, particularly clothing in sizes 2 and up. 

Don’t have anything to swap? No worries. Please come along, we always have more items than families need. We especially want new and expectant parents to join us, start your low waste parenting journeys early. All are welcome! 

On the day, you’ll also find:

• Free cloth nappies and friendly advice from experienced users
• Maternity and postpartum wear available at the swap — feel free to bring any of your own to share too
• Refreshments - child friendly treats, plant based milks available
• Children’s play area and fun activities!

Why Swapping Matters

The fast fashion and fast toy industries are major contributors to environmental harm, fuelling overconsumption, waste, and carbon emissions. Swapping offers a simple yet powerful alternative. It’s more than a feel-good gesture—it’s a practical act of climate-conscious parenting. Every item exchanged is one less manufactured, one less sent to landfill, one less item bought, and one more chance to model sustainable, community-minded choices. By extending the life of clothes, toys, and baby gear, we reduce emissions, cut down on waste, and ease financial pressures on families. It all adds up—and it makes a real difference. Just as importantly, we’re teaching our children to be more thoughtful about what they consume and to resist the constant pressure to buy, buy, buy!

Thanks to Our Partners and Supporters

We’re grateful to Katoomba Lighthouse, the main venue for our swaps. With refreshments on hand and a beautiful children’s play area, our swap is more than a clothes exchange — it’s a welcoming family hangout where kids can play, parents can connect, and everyone can find some new-to-you treasures.

A big shout-out to all our incredible volunteers, whose dedication truly makes our swaps possible. In particular, Susan Robbins goes the extra mile—sorting and redistributing leftover items so they find loving new homes, ensuring as little as possible ends up in landfill. If you’d like to volunteer with us, please get in touch by email: [email protected] 

Special thanks to Health Tree Fit-Nest and Bub Hub Blue Mountains Inc for providing toys, activities, and bubbles for the kids — they help make the play area magical. And special thanks to Community Care Kitchen who often provide donations to make sure our swaps have plenty of clothes and toys for our families. 

And a big thank you to Blue Mountains City Council for supporting us with a community grant. This funding covers our running costs so we can keep the swaps free and accessible for all.

We acknowledge we run our swaps on unceded Dharug and Gundungurra lands. Sovereignty was never ceded and this always was and always will be Aboriginal land.

It is with great sadness and disbelief that we acknowledge the horrific act of terror that has targeted the Jewish community in Bondi overnight.

This is a very difficult day and we are standing in solidarity with the Jewish community. More broadly, it is a time for all Australians to come together in support of each other and the right to safety.  

What do you get when you combine a Men’s Shed, a bunch of high school engineering students and one very creative Climate Mum?

A Climate Action Wheel of Fortune, of course!

It started, as many good things do, with a few local mums and a shared concern for their kids’ future. Claire, Katy and Kelly from East Sydney decided they didn’t want to just worry about climate change, they wanted to do something about it.

Together, they are relaunching the Parents for Climate East Sydney group and finding empowering ways to speak up and positive, practical ways to engage with their community. 

October is Mental Health Month, a time when communities across Australia come together to learn, reflect and take action to support better mental health for ourselves, our families, and our communities. As parents, many of us are already aware that the climate crisis is no longer a distant concern. Our kids are living through a time of increasing extreme weather, uncertainty and change. And they are asking big questions. 

On a recent Saturday night, the music was humming, the kids were laughing, and the share plates were piling high with colourful, low-emission delights. For hosts David and Felicity, this twice-yearly scene has become something of a tradition — their “Climate Friends” dinners, where good food meets even better company. I've watched these events from afar over the years (often with a sense of FOMO) and David has kindly shared his inspiration and tips for bringing people together. 

Parents, grandparents and families across Australia are speaking up with a clear message: the government must set a science-aligned 2035 climate target to secure a safe future for our kids.

Help your school organise more sustainable events and operations.

We're excited to share something new that has been created by the Parents for Climate Northern Sydney chapter.

Introducing the Climate Friendly School Swaps Guide!

It started at a winter solstice party. Between cups of tea and conversation, a guest mentioned that she sometimes “rescued” food from supermarket bins. At first, it sounded shocking. But by the end of the night, curiosity had won — and so began my journey into a hidden world of waste.

Have you heard of Scott Reef? This remote and ancient coral atoll, 300km off the West Australian coast, is home to a breathtaking diversity of marine life. It’s one of the few truly wild and resilient reef systems left on Earth.

On a blustery Saturday morning in February, 30 Victorian Surf Coast families gathered on the sand with buckets, spades, and our federal campaign message: “Protect What You Love.” Together, they built sandcastles for climate action—watched by federal politicians, candidates, and local media.