Groundswell: Do it for the kids

We’re the first generation to feel the impacts of the climate crisis and the last generation who can do something about it. That’s because scientists say the window for taking action before climate change becomes more dangerous and harder to respond to is rapidly closing. No pressure, right?! 

As World Environment Day approaches, we’re thinking a lot about what shape our planet will be in for future generations. What’s it going to be like for our kids in the coming years? What action can we take now that will actually make a difference during this critical moment in history? How can we best support young people growing up in the climate crisis?

To guide us, we’re bringing together a panel of parents, First Nations leaders, psychologists and activists. Please note, this talk is not just for parents – it’s for anyone who wants to do more about climate change to look out for the next generation.

Thursday 16th May, 2023 | 12.30pm to 1.30pm  AEDT - NSW, ACT, VIC, TAS

Online via Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/8191...

SPEAKERS:

Yael Stone (moderator): Forefront in my climate work is founding Hi Neighbour, a local initiative focusing on Illawarra/Dharawal Country where coal and steel have long been king. Our three aims are; addressing immediate CO2 reduction, social cohesion in transition, and making sure local workers are included in the renewables revolution through education access. Each aim is intimately linked in the action of our scheme. Practically what we do is create scholarships for local workers to upskill and enter low carbon employment. We prioritise those with Illawarra/Dharawal Country coal and steel history, First Nations and female applicants. Our funding model has us financing solar for local business, collecting the interest for our scholarship fund. Uplift skills and lower CO2.Hi Neighbour believes this work is critical and must be replicated across regional industrial heartlands that must transition. My day job is as an actor and I seem to get by. I fancy myself a reasonable mother of our two  excellent kids and a dodgy part time student at University of Wollongong studying a bachelor in Sustainable Communities.

Claire O’Rourke: an author, environmentalist and advocate, with two decades working in journalism, communications and campaigns across Australia and around the world. Claire helps others take action on climate change, currently as Australia Program Director at The Sunrise Project. Claire's first book, Together We Can, was published by Allen & Unwin in 2022. Previously Claire was National Director of Solar Citizens, a community-led renewable energy advocacy organisation. A former journalist, Claire has extensive experience advocating for social impact, including driving communications for the Every Australian Counts campaign for the National Disability Insurance Scheme and as a senior leader at Amnesty International Australia. Claire’s father worked at coal fired power stations all his career, and now she spends her days working on how we can replace them in time to avoid the worst impacts of climate change, and how we can ensure workers, communities and First Nations peoples share the benefits as the world quickly moves to clean, renewable energy. 

Clark Webb: a Gumbaynggirr and Bundjalung man who lives in Garlambirla (Coffs Harbour) in the heart of Gumbaynggirr country. Clark has been a committed learner and active teacher of Gumbaynggirr language for 16 years and is the founder and CEO of Bularri Muurlay Nyanggan Aboriginal Corporation (BMNAC) which commenced its programs in 2010. BMNAC is the proprietor of Gumbaynggirr Giingana Freedom School (GGFS) having built it from a goal in 2015 to opening its doors to 14 students in 2022, growing to 52 students in 2023. BMNAC and GGFS are supported by BMNAC’s highly successful cafe and tourism social enterprises that are designed to reinvest profits into cultural revitalisation, education and employment opportunities.

Desiree Cai: the National Director at Tomorrow Movement, building a movement of young people powerful enough to win transformative climate justice solutions like a Climate Jobs Guarantee. Formerly President of the National Union of Students, and organiser at GetUp, Desiree has run youth-led campaigns on economic justice, education, and climate justice. She is passionate about campaigning on the intersection of climate, economic and racial justice issues, and committed to strengthening the intersections between movements so that we can win a just future. Desiree lives and works on Wurundjeri land in Naarm (Melbourne

Beth Hill: the Program Development Coordinator with Psychology for a Safe Climate since 2021, where she has also volunteered since 2018. Trained in facilitation in the modality of the Work that Reconnects, and an accredited mindfulness and compassion teacher, Beth has been facilitating group work for ten years with environmental activists, organisations, local and state government and community groups. She has been developing and designing climate aware workshops and interactive seminars since 2013 and has extensive experience in mentoring and training facilitators with PSC over the last four years. Beth holds a PhD in Anthropology, her thesis explored the emotional and cultural dimensions of the climate crisis, in particular how local communities in Australia navigate the reality of their vulnerability and responsibility as they come to terms with what climate change means in their daily lives. Beth is also Mum to her two and a half year old son, Guin.