Culture Meets Climate: AAFCS Leads a New Path for Multicultural Climate Action in South Australia
On 11 October 2025 (Saturday), the Asian Australians for Climate Solutions (AAFCS) South Australia Branch proudly hosted the Mid-Autumn Climate Festival at Cosgrove Hall, City of Marion. The event ran from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, attracting over 500 visitors, featuring more than 40 community stalls, and supported by 159 dedicated volunteers from diverse cultural backgrounds.
This festival was not only a celebration of the Mid-Autumn tradition but also a milestone in connecting culture with climate responsibility. As the first Chinese-led multicultural event in South Australia to integrate environmental awareness into a cultural celebration, AAFCS demonstrated how communities can honour heritage while taking meaningful action for the planet.
The Role and Vision of AAFCS
Founded in 2022, AAFCS is a community-driven organisation committed to building a fairer, more inclusive, and sustainable Australia. We believe that real climate action begins within communities, and that cultural heritage can inspire collective change. The Mid-Autumn Climate Festival turned a thousand-year-old symbol of reunion and gratitude into an opportunity for reflection on our shared environment and future.
The event was attended by many distinguished guests, including Hon. Susan Close MP, Former Deputy Premier of South Australia, speaking on behalf of the Premier; Mr Dong Li, Consul-General of the People’s Republic of China in Adelaide; Louise Miller-Frost MP; Claire Clutterham MP; Nadia Clancy MP, Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention; Hon. Josh Teague MP, Deputy Opposition Leader; Katie McCusker, SA Greens Party MLC Candidate; and Councillor Jayne Hoffman from the City of Marion.
Our stall partners included Doctors for the Environment Australia, Working Women’s Centre SA, Welcoming Australia, Electrify Adelaide, Rising Tide, and the Australian Electric Vehicle Association, all united by the shared goal of advancing community climate solutions.
A Cultural Celebration of Climate Leadership
The festival featured a rich blend of modern and traditional performances with more than 50 performances, including K-pop for Climate, Modern and Chinese classical dances, traditional opera, and the Sichuan face-changing performance, all designed to connect cultural expression with environmental awareness. Performers ranged from 3 year-old children to teenagers, youth, adults, and older adults, each contributing their time and talent as volunteers to inspire unity and environmental consciousness through art and music.
The event also included a children’s climate-themed drawing competition, which encouraged creativity and awareness among young people. More than 30 children participated, using art to express their understanding that a healthy planet is essential for a healthy humanity.Through careful planning and collaboration, the AAFCS team demonstrated that large-scale public events can be inclusive, joyful, and environmentally responsible. From low-plastic stalls to waste reduction practices, the festival became a living example of how South Australia’s multicultural communities can lead by example in reducing waste and pollution.
AAFCS extends its sincere thanks to the City of Marion for its generous Community Event Sponsorship, which made this event possible. The City of Marion’s continued commitment to community diversity, inclusion, and sustainability reflects the shared values that make South Australia a model of multicultural and environmental leadership.
Looking Ahead
As Australia and the Pacific are bidding to co-host COP31, AAFCS will continue to unite multicultural voices in support of climate action. Our mission is to show that protecting the environment is not only a scientific necessity but also a cultural responsibility shared by all people.
Together, let us continue to bridge cultures, nurture environmental awareness, and build a sustainable and harmonious future for generations to come.
Asian Australians for Climate Solutions (AAFCS)
Empowering communities and protecting our shared planet.
