Ballarat Climate Action 2014 (BCA2014) will be kickstarted with the World’s Biggest Green Drinks on Friday.

Permaculture guru David Holmgren will be the guest speaker, while the BCA2014 calendar will also be launched at the Rebellion Brewery between 7pm and 9pm.

The Green Drink movement fosters discussing environmental issues in an informal manner, with 629 cities worldwide now involved.

Other events planned throughout the year include films, food events, workshops and climate-friendly house tours designed to reduce carbon footprint.

Ballarat Climate Action co-ordinator Jane Marriott said a strong local turnout at last November’s National Day of Climate Action had led to BCA2014, which involved Green Drinks, BREAZE, the Permaculture Group, the Victorian Wind Alliance, the Australian Youth Climate Coalition and the Greens.

Ms Marriott said the groups were particularly concerned about recent heatwaves, particularly after Australia’s hottest year since records began in 1910.

“Ballarat Climate Action 2014 is a way of connecting the community with local events and informative workshops focusing on living more sustainably and reducing their carbon footprint,” Ms Marriott said.

“I, like many others, am concerned about the extreme heat waves that we have been experiencing and worry about what type of world our children will inherit if we fail to act.

“Ballarat Climate Action is about working with our communities and demonstrating that climate action needn’t be viewed as ‘doom and gloom’ and that events, including local produce swaps, sustainable house tours and film nights, are all enjoyable ways of meeting people, getting informed and making a difference locally.”

For more information, go to http://ballaratclimateaction2014.blogspot.com.au

fiona.henderson@fairfaxmedia.com.au