They recently won the Nature Conservation Council's 2008 World Environment Day award for the most inspiring climate-action initiative by a community climate-change group.

Since its inception last year, ParraCAN has helped raise awareness about the effects of climate change on western Sydney by teaching residents new ways to stop climate change.

Last year, ParraCAN organised the Candidates on Climate Change Public Forum, which gave the public an opportunity to ask Parramatta's federal election candidates questions about how their party would reduce greenhouse-gas emissions.

They also co-ordinated the local arm of the Climate Institute's Change Climate-Change campaign, which resulted in the collection of 3848 climate footprint petition signatures the best result in Australia.

They have also organised local events for Walk Against Warming, climate-change presentations and a vegetarian Earth Hour dinner.

"It's been great to have our fledging group recognised but we recognise there's still a long way to go if we're to address the significant threats posed by climate change,'' said ParraCAN's Annie Nielsen.

Individuals, businesses and politicians are encouraged to join ParraCAN.

Details: Parramatta Climate Action Network or ParraCAN, parracan.org.