AYCC will be joining Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott in this year's election race.

Today the Australian Youth Climate Coalition (AYCC) launched a national youth-run election campaign in response to Prime Minister Gillard’s announcement that Labor will not reconsider a carbon-trading scheme until at least 2013.

‘We have 53,000 members, who are disappointed that Gillard hasn’t put climate action seriously back on the agenda. Given community backlash after Kevin Rudd shelved the emissions trading scheme, this is a pretty dangerous move’, said AYCC National Director Amanda McKenzie. ‘Our election campaign will mobilise thousands young people to speak to both voters and politicians about the need for stronger climate action.’

In response to Gillard’s announcement yesterday, the AYCC today revealed plans for a nonpartisan campaign driven exclusively by young Australians – the first of its kind in a Federal election. The campaign will bring together hundreds of young people this August for Power Shift 2010, a series of youth summits in key marginal seats. Power Shift will train these young people to do grassroots campaigning throughout August, including doorknocking, meeting their politicians, and holding forums in their schools to talk to their parents about why they should vote for parties committed to taking strong action on climate change.

It also includes a new concept: ‘digital doorknocking’ sessions where young people talk to their friends through SMS and social networking about why they should vote for climate action.
‘Generation Y will make up 20% of the electorate in this year’s Federal Election, they’re also some of the most connected people, able to influence their friends and peers,’ said AYCC General Manager Ellen Sandell. ‘Our campaign will utlise young peoples social connections to influence voters and politicians to take stronger action on climate change, which remains the defining issue of our generation.’

In addition to grassroots campaigning, the AYCC will be working to ensure young people are enrolled to vote – sending mass emails and text messages to their 53,000 young members and physically enrolling people at university campuses across the nation.

‘One in two 18-year olds are not on the electoral roll, but we know from polling that young people are the demographic most concerned about climate change. We are ensuring that young people are correctly enrolled to vote so that they can have their voice heard on the most important issue of our generation,’ said Ms Sandell. ‘In marginal seats which hang on a few hundred or few thousand votes, this could make all the difference to ensure that candidates with strong climate policies are elected.’

The Power Shift summits will be held in Adelaide, Canberra and Geelong on the first three weekends in August. Politicians will attend each Power Shift to defend their climate policies to the hundreds of young people in attendance. Other speakers confirmed include comedian and Good News Week presenter Claire Hooper, IPCC scientist David Karoly, Dan Adams, organiser of the Make Poverty History concerts, and John Thwaites, former Deputy Premier of Victoria.

– If you want to be involved in our election campaign, make sure you’re registered for Power Shift 2010.

Find out more

At the AYCC we believe in positive political engagement – both holding politicians accountable and encouraging them when they do the right thing. Read our letter below from AYCC National Director Amanda McKenzie to Penny Wong congratulating her on passing the enhanced Renewable Energy Target and Building Energy Efficiency legislation.

June 28, 2010

Dear Senator the Hon Penny Wong, Minister for Climate Change, Energy Efficiency and Water,

We congratulate you on the passage of the enhanced Renewable Energy Target and Building Energy Efficiency legislation through the Parliament.

We agree with you when you say that these pieces of legislation are important milestones for our country as we move to a clean energy future and we support you in taking these measures. We believe that the passage of this legislation shows your government’s commitment to restructuring the Australian economy towards a low carbon future

It shows that your government has recognised the depth of community support for strong action on climate change and has responded with positive policy change. We congratulate you on this.

We believe the steps taken to split the legislation in two to provide for both large and small scale renewable energy uptake will have positive impacts on infrastructure investment and investor certainty. The AYCC supports the amended RET legislation as a positive step that will enhance the uptake of renewable energy in Australia, and begin our transition to a clean energy economy.

We also believe that by allowing no cap on the uptake of SRES credits, the legislation will provide positive incentives for individuals and communities who need to feel that their uptake of small scale renewable energy will provide a positive (reductive) contribution to Australia’s overall emissions profile. We commend this aspect of the legislation.

AYCC also welcomes the passage the Building Energy Efficiency Disclosure Bill as an effective means of ensuring energy efficiency information is provided to the property market. We agree with your statement that a better informed market will drive sustainable choices in offices and the commercial building sector.

The AYCC recognises that the provision for including a Solar Credits Multiplier may dampen the impact of small scale uptake of renewable energy. We do not support this aspect of the legislation. We believe that the multiplying effect on the credits will act to undermine the integrity of the 20% target. We would support a biannual review to address any dampening effects further to the 2012 review provided for in the legislation.

The AYCC supports strong renewable energy targets and increased government investment in renewable energy infrastructure to support our transition to the clean energy economy. We believe that an enhanced renewable energy sector will provide our economy with green jobs for the future, and allow an easier pathway to achieving cuts in greenhouse gas emissions.

Congratulations again on the passage of the legislation.

Yours Sincerely,

Amanda McKenzie

National Director – the AYCC

Delegates are accosted by a bumbling LULUCF accountant (Hannah from the UKYCC), who was searching (not very hard) for hidden carbon emissions.

Working with the YOUNGOs (youth NGOs) was one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve ever had. While it involved five-hour meetings and many late nights, we achieved a lot, and it was well worth it.

Firstly, we put our energy into Article 6, which is all about climate change education through a program called the New Delhi work program. Part of the program includes valuable regional workshops about climate change in all corners of the globe. Those for Europe (in Sweden), the Asia Pacific (in Indonesia), and Latin America & the Caribbean (in the Dominican Republic) have already been held. However, the workshops for Africa and the small island states were in doubt as funding wasn’t secure. These are the people who will be hardest hit by climate change, and it looked like they would miss out on a key education program. At its heart, Article 6 is about young people, so we immediately made it a high priority.

We met with delegates from the EU and the US, and we staged an intervention in one of the plenaries (watch it here). We made our voices heard, and it was effective. Funding was increased. We also got the parties to accept ’stakeholder engagement’ in the review process, on both an international and national level. In short, they have to ask us what we think about it – and listen!

The YOUNGOs also got to have a personal meeting with the Executive Secretary Yvo de Boer, his new successor Christiana Figueres, and Mexican Ambassador Carlos García de Alba. In a small room with only about 20 of us, we really got to raise our concerns – and we got some really honest feedback about the best way to make ourselves heard.

Over the weekend, I began to get emails from young people asking ‘What are you doing about LULUCF?’ … LULU-What?

LULUCF stands for Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry. Basically, it’s about how greenhouse gas emissions are affected by the way we use our land.

Some developed countries like Australia are determined to keep some loopholes in the legislation. Loggin’-lovin’ nations like us, New Zealand, Sweden, and Slovenia want things like ‘an emissions baseline from 2020′ and ‘voluntary accounting’…basically, if you translate that into plain English it means ‘make whatever targets we want’ and ‘do whatever we want’, respectively.

We held a variety of actions, all centred around LULUCF loopholes. One morning, as delegates strolled along the path towards the Maritim hotel, they were accosted by a bumbling LULUCF accountant (none other than Hannah from the UKYCC), who was searching (not very hard) for hidden carbon emissions. Then, later, we again met delegates during their lunch break, and asked them to see if they could get their carbon emissions (handily in the form of plastic balls) through the LULUCF Loophole! Luckily, there was a young person on the other side of the loophole preventing any from getting through.

Unfortunately, the changes to the LULUCF legislation were less than positive – but we’re not giving up the fight! We’ll continue in Bonn 3 and in Cancun, where COP16 will be held.

On Thursday, Saudi Arabia, along with Oman, Kuwait and Qatar, blocked a request from developing countries for a technical review of the science of 1.5 degrees. The review would have looked at the impacts of that temperature rise and what would need to be done to mitigate climate change to that level. It wasn’t even legislation – just information!
We let the delegates know what we thought with a silent action as they left the negotiating room.

The talks ended on Friday with the delegates arguing about what language to speak, and whether or not to have a break to watch South Africa vs Mexico, rather than discussing climate change. While this was funny at first, I soon realised that these are the people that are deciding my future.

Nonetheless, there is a change of mood in the air. With the Gulf states’ actions, many developed countries, including the US, seem to be siding with the small island states. Although there’s a lot of scepticism about Cancun, there’s a bit of hope springing up that something concrete can be achieved there.

What Christiana Figueres said to us really resonated – the biggest impact we have, comes well before the negotiations. Young people have the greatest voice in their own countries, and it’s up to us to make our politicians lead the way in Cancun. UNFCCC talks might seem exciting, but in reality, the most important work is the work we do at home. Writing to our politicians. Educating our fellow students and young people. Voting. And of course, the beauty of the modern day is, you can make a difference – no matter where in the world you are!
So, in the lead-up to Cancun, let’s get to work. We can still get a fair, ambitious and binding deal – and we must!

– Hilary Bowman is a member of the AYCC

Photos: SustainUS

Climate activist (and now AYCC staffer) Emily Lawrence knows exactly how that feels. She attended Power Shift 2009 in Sydney, and looking back, sees it as a turning point.

“It was just incredibly inspiring and exciting to connect with so may people and feel like I was part of a movement that was bigger than me and my community,” she said.

Did those connections last?

“Definitely. The bus on the way home was absolutely buzzing with excitement, ideas and intoxicating energy. I met people there that I went on to team up with and organise a big cycling event called Pedal Back to 350.”

For AYCC General Manager Ellen Sandell Power Shift 2010 is all about safeguarding her generation’s future in a time of muddy, uninspiring politics.

“At the moment, neither party has a strong policy on climate change and for me that’s really scary,” she said.

“The good news is that young people are ready to take the lead and get to work on climate change, and this event will give them skills and show them how.”

Ms Sandell says the AYCC has a positive, achievable vision for Australia’s future which is based on ambitious, smart investment in renewable energy.

They are preparing to think big and get loud on behalf of their members and young voters who are concerned about climate change during the upcoming Federal election.

To find out more information on joining Power Shift head to the info page.

–  Claire Snyder

Not according to the Federal opposition. In the media last week, Liberal Senator Brett Mason labeled the emphasis on these three areas in the new National Curriculum as ‘ideological sentimentality’ and political correctness. These suggestive, but essentially hollow accusations warrant examination.

The term ‘politically correct’ is conveniently vague, and is being bandied about by some of our politicians more and more. Above all, it is meant to dismiss ideas and policies as unnecessary. Unnecessary is not a word that normally springs to mind when thinking about sustainability education.

Climate change is a challenge of epic proportions, but it is also an enormous opportunity. With the right skills, knowledge and passion, our generation can lead a transition to a society that is more just and sustainable than ever before. We can be the generation that sees Australia realise its economic, political, and social potential.

But to do this we need support from our schooling system. Every Australian student has the right to an education that imparts the skills they need to understand challenges and opportunities shaping their present, and future, lives. That’s why late last year the AYCC launched a campaign to ensure sustainability was embedded in the Rudd government’s new National Curriculum.

Early this year, the AYCC had a big win in the curriculum campaign. After presenting them with the signatures and messages of thousands of AYCC members and supporters, the board responsible for the new curriculum agreed to incorporate sustainability, along with Asian and indigenous perspectives, in all subject areas. There is still more work to be done, but it is an exciting start.

As an organisation run by people currently in school or recently graduated, the AYCC understands better than anyone that the integration of sustainability in our education system is absolutely essential. Unfortunately the Federal opposition seems to be, to use the politically correct term, ‘argument-challenged.’

– Lucy Manne is an Arts student and AYCC media volunteer

Original post on May 19th, 4:55pm:

After many late nights and heated debates for our judging panel, the winners of our Climate Reality Week competition have been decided.

The Melbourne University team, led by Laura Adams, has taken out the uni division with their cheeky beach party idea, where dozens of young people in bathing suits graced Princes Bridge in Melbourne on a chilly morning. It was an event the media couldn’t resist and got coverage in The Age, MX and Melbourne Leader.

They will receive a $500 cash prize to spend on a climate initiative of their choice, a $2000 Intrepid Travel voucher, Woodford Folk Festival and Cat Empire tickets, and two $100 book vouchers.

The MacRobertson Girls High School team led by Myah Turner-Revach was a clear winner in the schools division for the sheer size and logistics of their campaign. Not content with just one action, Myah and her team hit the streets and stickered, flyered and marched to drive the Climate Reality Week message home. They finished it off with a huge banner held up at an MCG footy game. They will receive a $500 cash prize to spend on a school climate initiative, and signed Bliss N Eso and Cat Empire merchandise.

Runners up are Megan Evans from the University of Queensland (uni division) and Sophie Fisher from Scotch Oakburn College in Launceston (schools division). Their teams will receive prize packs that include AYCC T-shirts, DVDs and more.

The Climate Reality Week  impact doesn’t end there. We used heaps of the best images from Climate Reality Week  to target MPs in major cities, letting them know we want stronger climate action.

Already we have had more than 700 postcards sent by AYCC members, flooding MPs inboxes with a much-needed Reality Check.

Well done to all involved.

Power Shift is a series of three extraordinary events in Geelong, Adelaide and Canberra that will inspire, activate and connect thousands of young people to address climate change together.

Building on the stellar success of Power Shift 2009, Power Shift 2010 will empower and train the next generation of climate leaders to achieve positive change.

The events details are:

Power Shift 2010 Adelaide – Adelaide University – July 31 to August 1
Power Shift 2010 Canberra – Australian National University – August 7 to 8
Power Shift 2010 Geelong – Deakin University Waterfront Campus – August 14 to 15

The program includes:

- Inspirational keynote speeches from people such as Nobel Prize Winner David Karoly, Young Victorian of the Year Dan Adams, former Deputy Premier of Victoria John Thwaites, renewable energy expert Mark Diesendorf… and many, many more! (speakers will vary between the three conferences)

- Workshops on how to communicate climate change, how to build a group to take action on your community, as well as a variety of other topics.

- Participate in a big media event with your fellow participants to show young people want clean energy.

- BBQ and well-known bands (we’ll release the names soon) on the Saturday evening

- Planning sessions with other young people from your region

- There will be some catering at some of the events (to be confirmed)

Power Shift is part conference, part festival, part training, part celebration of the power of young people to change the world, and so much more.

Click here for more information or to register to attend the event.

For information on sponsoring or supporting this event contact ellen.sandell@youthclimatecoalition.org

The week started strange with Tony Abbott pronouncing to school students that it was warmer “at the time of Julius Caesar and Jesus of Nazareth”.

There were some great quotes in response, here are just two:

Professor David Karoly said: “It seems strange to me that the leader of a political party would be seeking to disagree with Australia’s chief scientist, the Bureau of Meteorology, CSIRO, the overwhelming majority of climate scientists and Australia’s support of the work of the IPCC. He obviously knows better.”

The president of the Australian Academy of Science, Professor Kurt Lambeck describe Abbott’s statement in the following words: “To make these glib statements to school students, I think, is wrong. It’s not encouraging them to be sceptical, it’s encouraging them to accept unsubstantiated information.”

On Tuesday the “No Frills” budget was announced. Unfortunately, despite the Treasurer describing climate change as a key priority of the Rudd government’s third budget, this was simply not what eventuated. Sure there was a little bit of money thrown at renewables – a 40^th of what was given to roads – and it pales in comparison with fossil fuel subsidies. Check out our more detailed analysis of the budget for more.

Share On Wednesday night KRudd got angry at Kerry on the 7.30 Report trying to convince the nation that he is still committed to climate change action. The government is feeling the community pressure on climate change. This is just the time when it is most crucial that we pull out our phone or type up a quick letter and let our local member of parliament know that we want to see a comprehensive response to climate change. The pressure from citizens over the last couple of weeks is making a big difference – let’s keep it up! Consistently politicians over the last year have told us that they rarely hear from young people. While the polluting lobbyists are always banging down their door – they don’t hear from the people that will suffer the consequences of a changed climate.

Meanwhile, overseas there have been some important developments in the US. Senator Kerry has finally released his draft of the bill to the senate, a year after the house version reared its head. Kerry’s bill has been through the sausage factory. Whether it’s good or bad is a long conversation, (see the excellent overview on WonkRoom), but in Australia we should emphasize the fact that the American leadership is moving forward with legislation despite a tough political situation, whereas Australian politicians canned the whole CPRS.

– Amanda McKenzie

Hundreds of people were involved in the competition with inspired actions like a beach party above the icy waters of the Yarra in Melbourne and huge people formations spelling the climate reality message in Canberra. From Launceston to Sydney and Wagga Wagga up to Darwin the response has been remarkable. We received tonnes of great press and you can  see some of our best photos from around the country here.

We are in the process of judging all the weird, wonderful and inspiring entries and will announce winners shortly.

Your efforts raised awareness, grabbed tonnes of media headlines and put the power of shaping the climate debate back in young peoples hands. But we need to keep it there, so to follow up we have also targeted politicians with some of the best images to drive home the Climate Reality message. And of course, all of us here at the AYCC are constantly working day and night on our upcoming youth climate initiatives for everyone to be involved in

We couldn’t have done it without our committed volunteers and supporters and In the spirit of National Volunteers week this week, we want to say thank you. There are so many people around the country who give their time, whether it be sharing their skills in AYCC’s offices, organising events at their schools and campuses, raising awareness of climate change issues amongst friends and family, or simply taking the time to sign online petitions.

You all take the time to care, and it’s because of you that AYCC can continue to build the momentum for action on climate change.  There’s a hand written note in our Sydney AYCC office with a quote from Margret Mead that says, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.’’

Indeed, it’s all in a day’s work for our volunteers. So from everyone at AYCC, thank you.

– Claire Snyder, Sophie Trevitt and Ciara Oriordan

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