Having an impact.

We have an election coming up in Australia, everyone's favourite time of year. Someone was saying today that shops are claiming their Christmas shopping is down because of the election, but I don't believe that. I personally would go shopping to avaid having to watch the endless screening of political backstabbing and attack that invades the television at this time.

However, I then thought about the potential to have an impact as an individual at a time like this. A lot of people prefer to do their world changing one seed at a time in their backyard, however there is an amazing opportunity for people who care about sustainability, the environment, the value of families, and workers rights to stand up and be counted. Politicians are out in the community holding forums and get to know you sessions. Why not try talking to them about the things that are important to you.

I think it's great to get out there and lobby your council and your politicians for the things you want to see, be it green waste bins, rebates on green power, community gardens. It may not happen, but then again, you might plant a seed, or be the nth person to talk about that issue and tip it over the edge.

I think a good way of raising an issue is letter writing. Write a letter to the editor of your local paper and send a copy to any councillors, politicians etc that you can locate, and then follow it up with a phone call. I have done this on a number of occasions and have seen people take notice of it. Make sure that your letter is brief, to the point and you back up your argument. Most newspapers like to have different topics to print.

Good luck and let me know if you are successful, or if you have any other ideas for ways of having an impact.