Climate action doesn’t always look the same. For some, it’s taking to the streets with a sign. For others, it’s showing up at school or community meetings. And sometimes, it’s about creating something lasting that can reach people in a different way - through words, stories, or art.

In this piece, we hear from one of our co-founders, Leanne Brummell. What started with knitting in the main street to spark conversations about gas has grown into a new chapter: writing books that give voice to the hopes, fears and resilience of parents navigating the climate crisis.

Leanne’s journey is just one example of how parents are finding their own paths to action - whether through protest, print, or everyday acts of courage.

You used to sit in the main street knitting to alert your community about issues the gas industry would create, now you’ve published a book.  What happened?

I always loved reading, always thought I’d love to write a book one day, but never in my wildest dreams thought I’d actually be writing, or writing with the climate in mind.

Then I had a year where I was pretty much housebound and thought let’s give it a go. A writing group had started in my town and I was encouraged to publish some of what I’d done.

Why climate?  

It’s funny, out here we’ve always been told that climate change wasn’t real, our MPs have consistently given us that message.  It’s actually their job under Article 12 of the Paris Agreement to educate us about climate change, but I guess they’re busy with more important things.  Anyway, after talking with some other mums on a zoom in about 2019, I looked into it, thinking this climate change stuff all seems very far fetched, it can’t be real.  What I found was mind blowing.  Like something so serious was happening, we had a window of opportunity to do something about it, and at the same time we’re being told by those trusted to look out for us that it’s a croc. So henceforth I became a climate mum and helped the other mums start an org Parents for Climate which now has over 25,000 members Australia wide.  I also got involved with the global climate parents movement.  

Why a book of affirmations?  

Being in contact with so many parents for such a long time, listening to their stories, their hopes and fears for their children was enriching but also sad.  Watching my daughter turn into an adult before my eyes, telling me she doesn’t want to bring a child into this world, and still seeing our governments arguing if climate change real, instead of pulling out all stops to work together to fix it, caused me a lot of distress.  I needed to hold myself together.  It’s how I coped.  Waking up every day, getting something positive into my head, reminding myself of the tiniest thing I’d done to do something about the problem (even if it was only tweeting an mp) and I think importantly, just acknowledging those feelings of rage, disbelief, scaredness, anger, sadness, loss etc.  When stuck at home I wrote a list of 100 positive affirmations. 50 are in this first book.  I hope it helps other people cope with their feelings about climate.

You also wrote children’s books?  

Yes I have 2 stories for children, but they’re probably directed just as much to the adults in their lives who’d be helping them to read.  And I’d love to send copies to the real children in the room, the MPs playing games with our kids futures.  These 2 stories will be published soon. 

Can you give us a hint?  

I’m thinking to make these as “Draw your own illustrations” books.  It’s good for kids to use their imaginations and to develop their fine motor skills.  In this day and age of AI, I worry that art will become a lost art.  I think kids might like to engage with the books in a creative way.  First talking in the library, now drawing in books, what next haha.

Where can we find your books?  

I’ve self-published with a fairly new Australian place called Books.by.  I have my own online print-on-demand bookstore there where people can order and they’ll be posted straight to them.  You’ll find Positive Affirmations for Climate Concerned People there and soon my other books too. They print in the US, UK, Europe and Australia, and can ship worldwide. It’s all in $US sorry. My bookstore is at https://books.by/leanne-brummell

Anything else? 

From the smallest things, big things can happen.  Find what works for you.  The Qld Government has released more land for gas exploration in my Shire, I’ll be back out in the street knitting again soon.

Leanne’s story reminds us that there’s no single way to take climate action. Whether you’re writing, knitting, speaking up at work, starting conversations with friends, or showing up at rallies — every act matters. Together, these different voices and actions add up to a powerful movement of parents determined to protect our kids’ future.