11 June 2021: As Prime Minister Scott Morrison heads to Cornwall, England to meet with G7 leaders like British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and US President Joe Biden, Save the Children is urging him to listen to Australian children and young people on climate change.
The recent School Strike 4 Climate brought together more than 50,000 Australian young people determined to ensure their government, their leaders do more to address the climate crisis.
Kayla Hill, 16, a school striker in Sydney said the Prime Minster needed to take stronger climate action.
"Australia is out of step with the rest of the world on climate action.
"As Prime Minister Morrison leaves Australia to attend the G7, I hope he remembers the 50,000 people who took to the streets three weeks ago to demand concrete commitments on climate change."
Charli Lincke, 16, a school striker in Melbourne said Australia was lagging behind the rest of the world and investing in the wrong kinds of energy.
"Australia is falling behind the rest of the world, funding dirty gas and coal while renewable energy makes massive advancements.
"I hope before attending the G7, Scott Morrison opens his eyes and ears to hear young people's cry to stop investing in fossil fuels, and start investing in a greener future. Our future."
Mat Tinkler, Deputy CEO of Save the Children Australia said it was time Australia's leaders stopped sidelining children and young people and start actively involving them.
"The climate crisis is not of their making, but children and young people are suffering the dire consequences.
"Children and their rights must be put at the centre of climate discussions at the G7 meeting and beyond.
"We call on the Prime Minister to listen to children and step up Australia's commitment to the climate crisis at G7 talks."
Last week, the United Nations Child Rights Committee announced they will seek to hold countries accountable to children and their environmental rights.
In 2020, the Our world, Our say survey of 1500 children and young people aged 10-24 years in 2020 found:
- 78% of Australian young people surveyed are concerned or extremely concerned about climate change.
- Over 90% of Australian young people surveyed reported experiencing at least one natural hazard event in the last three years.
- Only 13% of young Australians felt they were listened to by leaders in government.
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