Did you know that at the 2013 election, 25% of young people between 18 and 24 weren’t enrolled to vote? With an election just around the corner, it’s super important young people get on the roll to vote, because the decisions our politicians make today, are the one’s we’ll inherit in the future. On Thursday April 28, thousands of young people across the country will enrol other young people to vote! Together we can make sure every young person has a say on issues that are important to them this election, and change the course of history.
AYCC New England will be at the UNE campus from 9am-1.30pm on Thursday 28th, talking to young people about climate change, making their voices heard on this crucial issue, and the importance of enrolling to vote in the Federal election. People can enrol or check their enrolment details online in a matter of minutes at aec.gov.au/enrol, and we’ll have roaming tablets so people can enrol on the day. We’ll also be talking to young people about pledging to vote climate, which will show our politicians that young people care about their futures and demand greater action be taken against climate change.
The Australian Youth Climate Coalition or AYCC is a generation-wide movement committed to solving the climate crisis. We believe that climate change is the single greatest threat facing humanity, and that the only way to solve the climate crisis is through a social movement – a groundswell of support and momentum that is powerful enough to inspire the change we need and hold decision-makers to account. At the AYCC, we believe that the best way to build this movement is to give young people the tools to make it happen.
I wish to congratulate those involved here with having young people enrol to vote. The more anyone refrains from participating in civic society, the further behind one falls in being able to change anything.
The next paragraph is to relay my individual experience in visiting the campus of the University of New England, as specified in the article above. I am not putting out a clarion call for action; I am writing to share and document my experience.
I approached the convenor of the New England branch of the Australian Youth Climate Coalition by saying, “I am here because I am concerned about climate change. I hope to live til I am over 100. At this time, I am 40 years old.” I was informed that the age cutoff for joining the Australian Youth Climate Coalition (set at the national level) was 30 years old. I am ten years beyond that age. I was therefore unable to sign up to the local branch. Agreement was reached that I may be able to take part in particular actions/activities. This is where this conversation came to a conclusion.
In general, I believe that any and all efforts made to combat the acceleration of climate change are worthwhile i.e. irrespective of whether I am personally involved or not. As such, I consider it a positive development to have the New England branch of the Australian Youth Climate Coalition relaunched. I wish this group all the best in its endeavours.
Best regards,
Tom Livanos.
tom.369@hotmail.com