What would you do if you knew we had ten years to drastically overhaul the way the world operates or face ecological collapse? My name is Garrett Swearingen and I live in Cairns, Far North Queensland. I was one of the 300,000 young Australians who walked out of school in September 20 last year to demand our leaders act with integrity on climate change.
For as long as I can remember I’ve had a concern for our natural world and have done what I could to protect it. I remember when I was still quite young, I organised clean-ups of my local park and always made a point of telling my friends not to litter. I knew very little about the state of the wider world but assumed that our leaders would be taking care of it. However, as I grew up, I started to understand the reality we faced. I then lived in Sydney and remember being shocked by the fact that that the Opera House was expected to be swallowed by rising seas. However, no matter how much I tried I could never seem to get my friends to care much and I felt quite helpless as well as isolated. I frequently suffered poor mental health in school, and I think this was in part due to these feelings of helplessness and isolation.
The first climate strike was such a contrast to this that I was immediately filled with a feeling of belonging and power. Finally, here were other young people standing united, to fight for the planet and our future. I enthusiastically dove into all sorts of climate causes, including organising the September 20 climate strike and co-founding a branch of the Australian Youth Climate Coalition.
I spent, and still spend, hours per week involved in climate campaigning. Although I’d rather spend this time on other activities, it often feels like this movement is my only hope to create a thriving, prosperous future for young people.
If our leaders don’t step up their efforts to reduce carbon pollution then the future looks very bleak for my generation, and especially for those most vulnerable, such as those in less industrialised countries, First Nations peoples and fossil fuel workers. Regional areas also are especially vulnerable. For example, Cairns’ livelihood depends on the tourism industry, which requires a healthy reef and a healthy rainforest to continue to thrive. However, at current levels of heating, the health of these natural wonders is in serious peril. Other parts of Queensland, such as Mackay, which relies heavily on coalmining, also face terrifyingly uncertain futures. With the global transition away from coal underway, those currently employed in the industry need the government to support them in transitioning to new industries. The sooner this transition occurs the greater the benefits to these communities and everyone. However, our current government would rather prop up coal magnates to allow them to profit for as long as possible, with no regard for their workers or the future generations who will suffer from the coal burned.
We already know what we need to do to create a prosperous and just Australia for all. This is reflected in our three demands:
- No new coal, oil and gas projects, including the Adani mine,
- 100 per cent renewable energy generation and exports by 2030, and
- Fund a just transition and job creation for all fossil fuel workers and communities.
However, with our greedy and self-serving leaders refusing to serve their people, we need to unite like never before and we need to use our collective power to make our vision a reality. To be successful we need everyone, so organise your community – arrange a meeting with an MP or help coordinate a boycott. Do whatever you feel comfortable with and that your strengths align with but do something. Most importantly, make sure to get along to the next climate strike on May 15 and bring your friends, your families and your colleagues with you so that together we can make this the largest demonstration ever!
We stand at a pivotal point in history. My generation is the first to experience the effects of climate change and the last to be able to take action to avoid the worst effects. We won’t ever be giving up, so stand with us and fight for a prosperous and just Australia for all of us.
