Climate change is with us and fighting against us, yet amidst the gloom of the doomsayers' predictions there's plenty to give us hope.
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That might sound terribly nihilistic, but thanks to the permeation of social media in our lives it's hard not to be swamped by the bad news.
Even though we vote them in, ordinary people have scant ability to exert the influence needed to sway decision makers on the big-ticket items; on effective policies to reduce carbon emissions, on setting the right goals by investing heavily in research into alternate green energy options.
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What we are left with are those small steps we can take together to effect change.
He listened to people, could relate to them and wanted to be on their side as he work extraordinarily hard to bring about the changes needed to make everyday lives better.
With climate change, the most that any of us can do is take part at that community level, a force that Tim Fischer deeply understood for its genuine ability to make a difference.
That community approach can be seen, in of all places, the Albury tip.
The work that Albury Council has invested in the Albury Waste Management Centre has been significant, to sort the wheat from the chaff - or, to the point - the recyclables from the rubbish.
It is, the council proudly and quite rightfully says, its "legacy" for the next generation.
This alone won't make a difference to what many councils have declared to be our "climate emergency".
But it is significant for the way it helps to change mindsets, so our communities' many small steps can combine to create a new, optimistic future.