Sports, Arts, Culture & Community

How we fare in transitioning away from a fossil fuelled society is going to depend on the strength of our communities. Strong communities are built through the myriad of social interactions we have with our neighbours, our towns and our regions, whether through the local footy & netball club, community gardens and houses, art spaces and churches, or any other congregations of people. Central to these forms of social cohesion is the availability of common spaces and public funding.

Importantly for a Just Transition, strong communities are also vehicles for practising democracy and tackling climate change. It is in our communities that we develop particular cultures, record and interpret our histories, and allow for voices and viewpoints that don’t make their way into the national conversation.

Our communities are already home to numerous practices of care unattached to wage labour. Thus, they offer both a starting point and a blueprint for transitioning to a more equitable and inclusive society in which we view each other as friend rather than foe.

But how can we harness that power and create a community commons? What types of institutions, clubs and societies align with a Just Transition? How can we make these community spaces financially secure and welcoming places for all?