People For Nature

Tag: Climate action

  • What an extraordinary first AlterCOP in Australia.

    What an extraordinary first AlterCOP in Australia.

    While we may have lost COP31, we want to take a moment to recognise our peers — the organisations and individuals who worked tirelessly to pursue a positive outcome for hosting it on Australian soil.

    At the same time… what an extraordinary first AlterCOP in Australia.

    Powered by volunteers, grounded in community, and radiating active hope for Australia’s climate and nature movement, AlterCOP showed what happens when citizens lead with purpose and imagination.

    According to Carbon Brief, Australia sent 494 delegates to Brazil this year. Meanwhile, across Australia, we brought together more than 1,400 people in discussions aligned with the COP30 agenda — raising awareness, forging alliances, and building collaboration, all while keeping a minimal footprint.

    We even worked alongside our Pavilion with live interventions from Belém, demonstrating an inclusive and impactful model to expand the COP green zones while truly walking the talk.

    And this is just Year 1.
    We’re so excited to see this movement grow — alongside the incredible organisations and wonderful humans who are part of it.

    We want to thank the thriving ecosystems of collaboration and the growing chorus of citizen voices who champion our message: Cultivating Hope, Driving Impact.

    We can’t wait to grow this momentum even further next year.

    AlterCOP 30 Australia — By the Numbers

    📍 42 events nationwide
    🌅 10+ Sunrise Actions
    👥 1,400+ participants registered

    🏙 A main 4-day gathering in Brisbane, with major satellite events in Sydney and Melbourne, and additional events in Huon Valley (TAS), Bright (VIC), Wollongong, Newcastle, and Narara (NSW)

    🤝 33 on-site volunteers in Brisbane, and 37+ more supporting events across the country
    💡 A core team of 15 volunteers driving the entire program across Brisbane and the satellite cities

    🌏 A Giant Climate Fresk reaching at least 200 participants across 8 locations in Australia and New Zealand — supported by 25+ facilitators

    🎤 85 speakers in Brisbane alone, and well over 100 nationally
    🏛️ 49 organisations backing this movement — 15 partners and an ecosystem of 34 collaborations

    How We Shaped This Year’s Program

    Our work was structured around five core working groups:
    🌡 Climate 

    🌿 Biodiversity 

    🏙 Sustainable Cities 

    🧠 Health 

    🧒 Youth

    Through strong collaborations with organisations and communities across the country, these working groups didn’t just shape the main Brisbane program — they also enabled satellite events nationwide, all running in parallel with the same overarching agenda.

    Each local hub explored the same themes through its own community lens, grounding the discussions in local realities, challenges, and opportunities. This meant that whether people gathered in Sydney, Melbourne, Huon Valley, Bright, Wollongong, Newcastle, or Narara, they contributed to a unified national conversation while elevating the unique stories and solutions of their region.

    These groups didn’t just curate sessions — they embedded the values that make AlterCOP what it is: collaborative, community-led, and rooted in both science and lived experience.

    What’s Next?

    Register your interest to volunteer, partner or speak at our events. 

    Please take a few minutes to complete our AlterCOP 30 Australia feedback survey. Your reflections and testimonials are invaluable. This survey isn’t just about improving our future events — it also serves as a citizen pulse, capturing the voices and perspectives of Australians. Your input will be included in our Insights Report to help reflect what matters most to our communities.

    What Makes AlterCOP Different?

    AlterCOP stands on a set of non-negotiable values:

    ✨ Inclusive — ensuring First Nations perspectives and Youth voices were present on every panel.

    ✨ Citizen-powered — designed, led, and delivered entirely by volunteers.

    ✨ Walk the talk — no flights, no waste, and only vegetarian catering in our first year.

    ✨ Free and independent — open to all, without corporate influence or paywalls.

    ✨ Positive and solutions-focused — grounded in science, driven by active hope, and inspired by community action.

    A big thank you to the organisations who believed in AlterCOP from day one — especially our partners who supported us with the simple, practical logistics that make an event like this actually work. Your trust and collaboration truly mattered.

    This movement is only just beginning. And together, we’ll keep building it. Thank you for being with us on the journey.

    Donate and Help us Stay Independent

    This initiative is proudly citizen-powered, collaborative, and inclusive. It came together thanks to the dedication of an extraordinary group of volunteers, working with almost no budget but a shared commitment to climate and nature action. As we look ahead, we’re excited to grow this momentum even further — and for that, we need your support. By contributing to People For Nature, you help us continue expanding this movement while remaining independent and accessible to all. People For Nature is a registered charity with DGR status, and donations are tax deductible.

  • Introducing Gunter’s Fables

    Introducing Gunter’s Fables

    Climate education using storytelling, creativity and imagination

    At People For Nature, climate literacy is at the heart of what we do. We firmly believe that education isn’t just about understanding the problem, it’s about inspiring people to act. Because, when people understand, they care – and when they care, they act.

    That’s why we love Gunter’s Fables, a bilingual (French and English) collection of educational stories that help children see nature not as something fragile and separate, but as a source of solutions for humanity’s biggest challenges. 

    Climate education needs to start with those that are already at the frontline: our youth. Teaching children and young adults about the science of climate change, its impacts, and potential solutions can inspire a new wave of climate-conscious leaders, entrepreneurs, and activists who will shape Australia’s future. Early education fosters a sense of responsibility and urgency, ensuring that the next generation is ready to tackle the challenges ahead.

    Download the presentation to learn more.

    A collection of 365 fables

    Gunter’s Fables were created by Gunter Pauli, a Belgian-born climate visionary, who has dedicated his life to the radical transformation of business and society. He is the founder of the Zero Emissions Research Initiative and author of The Blue Economy, a framework adopted by the United Nations, governments, and industries worldwide. 

    Aimed at children aged 3 to 15, Gunter’s Fables evolve in depth and complexity as readers grow, showing how nature already holds the answers to many of our sustainability problems. 

    Each set of fables explores a different theme: water, health, food, energy, housing, work, and education / ethics.

    Just like People For Nature’s educational workshops – Climate Fresk, Biodiversity Collage and Circular Economy collage – Gunter’s Fables are fun and interactive. They encourage curiosity, questioning and experimentation, cultivating the mindset that we can all make a difference.

    Combining storytelling with science and action

    What makes Gunter’s Fables so powerful as an educational tool is the way it blends storytelling with science and action. Inspired by educators like Maria Montessori, Rudolf Steiner, and Paulo Freire, the series awakens five kinds of intelligence: scientific knowledge, emotional intelligence, artistic expression, understanding of complex systems, and the ability to take action. Children aren’t just learning facts; they’re exploring, questioning, and discovering how they can make a difference.

    Each fable is a guided exploration that encourages reflection, creativity, and reinforces the innate desire to contribute to the good of all. The fables turn sustainability from an abstract topic into a lived experience. Each one ends with real-world examples, helping young readers see that change is already happening and that they can be part of it.

    Empowering tomorrow’s leaders

    Gunter’s Fables are a great tool to equip our future leaders with the knowledge, skills, and passion to drive meaningful change.

    In a world where climate headlines can feel overwhelming, Gunter’s Fables offer something rare: hope grounded in understanding. By nurturing imagination and action, these stories help raise a generation of thoughtful, empowered “planet protectors.”

    Whether you are a parent, a grand parent or an educator, these books are a great tool to pass on important messages to the next generation.

    Interested in finding out more or getting a copy of Gunter’s Fables?

    Contact us today.

  • Grassroots climate summit, AlterCOP, coming to Australia from 17-20 November

    Grassroots climate summit, AlterCOP, coming to Australia from 17-20 November

    Local charitable social enterprise, People For Nature, is bringing the 4-day conference to Brisbane, with satellite events in Sydney, Melbourne and beyond.

    Brisbane, 5 November 2025 – While world leaders are getting ready to attend COP30 in Belèm, Brazil, Australian charitable social enterprise, People For Nature, is putting the spotlight on local climate actions and innovations with AlterCOP 30 Australia.

    AlterCOP is a volunteer-powered, free and inclusive grassroots climate summit, happening from 17-20 November in Brisbane, with satellite events in Sydney, Melbourne, and beyond. 

    It brings together diverse communities, scientists, First Nations voices, youth, businesses and innovators to explore and act on climate justice, decarbonisation, and resilience, offering an inclusive, science-based platform for localised climate action. 

    Extending the green zone beyond Brazil 

    As a remote alternative to COP30 and a local extension of the Green Zone, AlterCOP enables Australians to engage with climate dialogue and innovation without travelling across the world. 

    Audrey Barucchi, CEO and Co-Founder of People For Nature, commented, “As Australia prepares to potentially host COP31, we wanted to give all Australians a voice in the climate and biodiversity conversation. 

    “Climate change doesn’t belong to politicians or business leaders; it belongs to everyday Australians who are already dealing with the impact – from floods to fires, extreme storms to droughts. 

    “AlterCOP is a unique opportunity to open up climate dialogue to everyone and show that local actions to mitigate and adapt to climate change are already happening across the country.”

    Globally Connected, Locally Grounded

    AlterCOP was co-founded in 2024 by The Matcha Initiative and The Transmutation Principle in Singapore. Last year it attracted more than 2,000 participants, with over 250 speakers across 130 sessions. This year, the summit has expanded to more than 10 new countries, one of which is Australia. 

    Anne Langourieux and Thibaut Meurgue-Guyard, co-founders of AlterCOP, commented: “We’re excited that People For Nature is bringing AlterCOP 30 to Australia. We’re continuing our mission of making climate dialogue accessible to regional communities without air travel while raising awareness of the official COP summit. 

    “The theme for this year is ‘Cultivating hope, driving impact’. Even if reaching global climate targets is out of reach, every cent of degree matters. That’s why AlterCOP 30 highlights alternative models and local initiatives that are creating an impact and inspiring change.

    “We’re also excited about the possibility of Australia hosting COP31 as we know this will help accelerate the climate transition in APAC, benefiting all of us in the region.”

    A local lens on global action

    Running alongside COP30, AlterCOP brings the climate conversation home, showcasing how Australian communities are leading with practical, place-based solutions. In total, more than 35 different sessions are scheduled featuring close to 100 local speakers and facilitators. 

    The agenda aligns with the official UN COP agenda and covers the following topics:

    Day 1: Climate Change, Social Impact & Resilience

    Day 2: Sustainable Cities

    Day 3: Biodiversity, Bio-economy & Nature-based solutions

    Day 4: Generation Now: Youth Leading the Climate Shift + Thriving Together: Health in a Changing Climate 

    The main event is held at The Precinct in Brisbane, with satellite events happening in Sydney, Melbourne, Newcastle, Wollongong, Bright, Huon Valley, and Narara, with some online sessions as well.  

    A climate platform for everyone

    True to its values, AlterCOP 30 Australia is:

    ✅ 100% volunteer-driven: Organised by a dedicated group of volunteers supported by community and corporate supporters. 

    ✅ Free & inclusive:  Sessions are free to attend, ensuring accessibility for all and amplifying voices often excluded from formal negotiations.

    ✅ Sustainable by design: A no-flight, zero-waste and vegetarian event that integrates sustainability practices into every aspect of the event.

    Audrey Barucchi concluded, “AlterCOP celebrates collaboration, practical solutions, and the power of collective effort. It’s a space for positive change, where every voice matters and everyone can contribute to building a healthier planet – together.

    “People For Nature is proud to help activate a community-powered space that builds engagement, showcases real solutions, and connects Australians to the global climate conversation.

    “We are grateful to our ecosystem of collaborations for their support, and thankful to our passionate volunteers, without whom this event could not have come together.”

    AlterCOP 30 Australia would not be possible without the generous support of its partners: 

    – SAP, our Blue Partner; Queensland Decarbonisation Hub, Mott MacDonald and CO2 Australia, our Green Partners; Green Socials and Greenscope Productions, our Activation Partners.

    – Advance Queensland, hosting us at The Precinct and serving as our Brisbane Venue Partner. 

    – UTS, Canva, City of Melbourne, Ecomind, Narara Ecovillage, Protect Our Winters, Psychology for a Safe Climate and Susgain, our other Venue and Satellite Event Partners. 

    More details about the program and speaker line-up are on the AlterCOP 30 Australia website. Tickets are free and can be booked via Humanitix.  

    For all media enquiries, please email Aye Verckens (aye@blog.peoplefornature.org.au). 

    About AlterCOP 

    AlterCOP is an independent, volunteer-led conference designed as an accessible alternative to the United Nations COP, making climate action discussions available to communities, professionals, and youth across Asia. Since its inception, AlterCOP has grown into a unique knowledge-sharing platform where regional voices, grassroots solutions, and cross-sector collaboration converge to accelerate sustainability action and raise awareness on COPs. More info: altercop.com and altercop.com/australia 

    About People For Nature

    People For Nature is a Queensland-based charitable social enterprise empowering citizen-led action for nature across Australia. Co-founded by three French-Australian women, the registered charity helps individuals reconnect with the natural world and take meaningful action to protect it. 

    People for Nature turns complex science into engaging, accessible learning experiences that inspire people to care and act. Through a simple train-the-trainer model, it equips ambassadors nationwide to share knowledge on climate, biodiversity, and the circular economy — driving local citizen-led conservation and science initiatives while creating meaningful opportunities for those transitioning into purpose-driven work. More info: https://www.blog.peoplefornature.org.au/ 

  • Meet our ambassadors: Virginie Rubio

    Meet our ambassadors: Virginie Rubio

    Climate Fresk Facilitator, NSW

    Virginie is a Climate Fresk facilitator in NSW. She joined the Fresking community a few years ago and has loved being a part of it ever since.

    “I’m passionate about how climate education can spark change even for those who already have a strong knowledge of climate science. There’s always another layer to uncover. Every workshop leaves me inspired by the rich, honest conversations that unfold. They help all of us (me included) see more clearly the paths we’re on, and the choices we can make, together or individually, for a more sustainable future.”

    “I’m genuinely excited to guide others through these workshops and share what I’ve learned, so they leave feeling empowered, just as I do after every single session, to take on more climate action.

    I’m equally excited to keep learning alongside this caring community, who bring such a wealth of ideas and perspectives. It’s a powerful group from all over Australia, with different mindsets and backgrounds, coming together to turn knowledge into meaningful action, one step at a time” 

    🤝 Connect with Virginie on LinkedIn 💚

  • Our Team

    Our Team

    People For Nature harnesses the power of people and the strength of collaboration and science to take meaningful steps to create a more resilient planet and sustainable future. 

    We’re on a mission to empower all Australians to actively protect biodiversity and build climate resilience. We champion a citizen-centred approach, empowering communities to take action through education, action and science. Nature belongs to everyone, and we share a collective responsibility to safeguard it for future generations. 

    Founded by three Certified Environmental Practitioners (CEnvP): Audrey Barucchi, Dr Fanny De Busserolles, and Olivia Woosnam, People For Nature brings together a group of like-minded individuals and organisations. Together we’re all working towards the goal of keeping the planet habitable for all. 

    Read on to find out more about the amazing people who are helping us create positive ecological change:

    Meet Our Board

    Kylie Flament | Chair

    Shiva Prasad Bebarta | Treasurer

    Audrey Barucchi | Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer

    Dr Fanny de Busserolles | Co-Founder & Chief Program Officer

    Mylene Turban | Non-Executive Director

    Germain Briand | Non-Executive Director

    Meet Our Team Members

    Olivia Woosnam | Co-Founder (read her story)

    Aye Verckens | Communications Leader (read her story)

    Carole Defago | Climate Fresk Program Lead (read her story)

    Meet Jenni Philippe | Circular Economy Collage Program Lead (read her story)

    Mélanie Ducros | Climate Literacy Facilitator & program lead VIC

    Meet our Ambassadors

    Ambassadors are the heart of our initiative, running workshops year-round and reaching people of all ages, from schools and communities to businesses. Together, we’re helping to bridge knowledge gaps, inspire action, and create a more sustainable future for all.

    About Our Ambassador Program

    Our Ambassador Program is part of a rapidly growing movement, with ambassadors across the country working to spread climate and biodiversity education, action and impact. Through this program, passionate people are trained and empowered to host workshops that drive meaningful action and understanding of environmental issues.

    If you’re interested in hosting a workshop or becoming an ambassador, get in touch and join us in making a difference!

  • Join the Nature Oasis initiative 

    Join the Nature Oasis initiative 

    Nature is disappearing around us – quietly, rapidly, and often unnoticed. But together, we can reverse this trend.

    To bend the curve before 2050 and reduce biodiversity loss, we must pair ambitious conservation efforts with sustainable practices and behaviour change.

    That’s where the Nature Oasis initiative comes in

    The Nature Oasis network empowers all Australians to create and celebrate all vibrant spaces for native wildlife.

    What is Nature Oasis?

    Nature Oasis is a citizen-led initiative by People For Nature that enables Australians to turn any space – balconies, gardens, schoolyards, private properties, parks – into habitats supporting native biodiversity.

    Whatever the size, a Nature Oasis is a space where biodiversity flourishes, where nature is respected and allowed to thrive.

    A few flowers are enough to bring back Christmas beetles, native bees, and butterflies!

    So, say goodbye to uniform mowed lawns, long hedges of yew, and other ‘green deserts,’ as well as pesticides and other harmful practices… 

    Nature Oasis is not a gardening platform, it’s a network of people-powered actions to halt the decline of local biodiversity. 

    Join the Nature Oasis initiative

    1. Start here by signing the Nature Oasis Charter. This is a voluntary commitment to adopting best practices that support the flourishing of native wildlife and flora.

    2. Register your Nature Oasis (new or existing) and share its location on the map (coming soon!).

    3. As you expand your Nature Oasis, update the details (for example, if you currently have a pollinator garden, in future you may update to include you have also created a bee hotel).

    4. Inspire others to follow your lead – embrace your role as a nature ambassador!

    The Nature Oasis Charter

    Follow these 6 principles and help restore Australia’s rich ecosystems, one patch at a time 💚

    About the Nature Oasis network and app

    We’re building a national network of Nature Oasis spaces, creating the largest repository of citizen-powered conservation and regeneration spaces. 

    Inspired by French NGO, Humanité and Biodiversité, Nature Oasis aims to build a global network of these spaces. We’re creating a platform to connect citizens’ environmental actions to national conservation outcomes, powered by accessible, user-friendly tech.

    People For Nature is creating an app that will:

    💚 Build community through shared stories, actions, impact stats, and local nature challenges

    🗺️ Map and visualise each oasis across Australia

    📸 Foster and enable user participation. People will be able to register their oasis and share photos, data, or actions taken

    🌳 Gather ecological data to support research, species tracking, and restoration goals

    By leveraging technology and collaboration, we will connect individual actions to a national effort, gathering data to support scientific research, restore ecosystems, protect species, and foster a deeper connection to nature.

    Why it matters: Empowering Citizen Conservation

    Nature Oasis is more than a project—it’s a citizen-led movement, aligned with Australia’s Nature Strategy 2024–2030, that empowers everyday Australians to take meaningful action where they live.

    “97% of Australians want more environmental action, but fewer than 5% volunteer in conservation. Nature Oasis flips the script—bringing conservation home and inviting everyone to get involved.”

    Together, we’re reconnecting people to nature through accessible tools, inspiring workshops, and local action

    🌿 Join us and create your Nature Oasis today! 🌿

    Read some of our other blogs on this topic:

    🐨 How Citizen-Led Actions Support Australia’s Nature Strategy 2024–2030

    🧑‍🌾 Citizen Conservation in Australia

    🪴 How to teach sustainability at home