This was the message from Sally Neaves at the Parkview Hotel on Monday.

"Before we can fix the climate crisis we've got to fix the democracy crisis," she said.

The educator from Rahamim Ecology Centre in Bathurst delivered a Climate Reality Project presentation to an event organised through Futuring Orange.

Ms Neaves said the amount of money the Australian government spends on subsidising coal mining far outweighs what is spent on subsidising sustainable energy projects.

"It's time to use our votes and use our voices to encourage investment in the things which are not going to damage the atmosphere," she said.

Ms Neaves delivered the presentation after receiving climate education training over three days from former US vice-president Al Gore.

Futuring Orange founder Kate Hook said she invited all of the Orange City Councillors to the presentation, following a response from councillors that they found climate change confusing.

Mrs Hook said at a council meeting last month, which Futuring Orange had attended to support a motion to declare a climate emergency, councillors used phrases such as, "I'm not an expert.." "I don't really understand it....." and "I find all this a bit confusing."

Councillors Joanna McRae, Stephen Nugent and Mario Previtera accepted the invitation to attend.