Our Story
Who We Are
Climate Justice Alliance Northern Rivers formed in February 2024 on Bundjalung Country. We bring together people from across the Northern Rivers — Lismore, Murwillumbah, Byron, Ocean Shores and beyond — connected by shared values and a commitment to climate and social justice.
We operate as an autonomous alliance with affinity and working groups, connected to Rising Tide's broader network. Our wider movement includes Sea Shepherd, SS4C, XR, Save Wallum, SOAR, North Lismore Commons, Byron Env. Ctr, Knitting Nanas, NEFA and Reclaim Our Recovery.
What We Stand For
Our Values
Justice
First Nations justice, social justice and climate justice are inseparable. We centre decolonisation and apply an anti-carceral lens to all our organising.
Connection
Deep connection to Country and community. Linking regional campaigns and groups across the Northern Rivers and beyond.
Community
Building capacity and engaging broadly. More doing, less meetings — nourished by food, conversation and co-creating meaning.
Care
Protecting the earth and each other. A regenerative culture that holds strong NVDA with joy, love and fun.
Where We're Going
Our Vision
A Climate Justice Alliance with deep connection to Country and people — engaging the broad community with joy and creativity, and building real power for change.
- Deep connection to Country & people
- Creating genuine alliance across the NR
- Engaging the broad community
- Joy & creativity at the heart of our work
- Logistics support for big actions
- Local action with real impact
- Small, strategic & effective action
- Political accountability
- Diversity of tactics
- Strong communications & promotions
- Capacity building & mutual aid
- First Nations & Free Palestine solidarity
Honest Assessment
What We've Learned
What's Working
- NR affinity — knowing & trusting each other
- Care & regenerative culture
- Affinity group / spokes council model
- Strong NVDA with joy, love & fun
- Using tech better — e.g. Save Wallum campaign
- Strategic action with less resources
- Our own legal & arrestee support
- Respecting diversity of tactics
What We're Improving
- Spreading the load — too much on too few
- More local action, not just city focus
- Better travel logistics & support
- Applying a decolonial lens to policing risk
- Making sure people understand the risks
- Avoiding toxic positivity
- Recognising cost of living pressures
Take Part
Get Involved
We organise through affinity and working groups. Find what you're good at, what you want to learn and what you're passionate about.
Actions
Planning and executing strategic non-violent direct action. Diversity of tactics, safety and support.
Alliance Building
Connecting with First Nations communities, activist elders and local groups across the Northern Rivers.
Comms & Capacity
Communications, promotion, digital tools and growing the skills of our movement.
Find Us
Connect
Climate Justice Alliance Northern Rivers acknowledges we live and work on the unceded lands of the Widjabul Wia-bal, Arakwal, Minjungbal and peoples of the Bundjalung Nation. We pay our deepest respects to Elders past, present and emerging. Sovereignty was never ceded.