Young Australians rally for action on Climate Change, oldies rally against it
When you know that you will be directly affected by decisions made by those in power, you think about things in a new light. It’s an entirely different world-view to those who are only a decade or two away from leaving this world behind.
Climate Change has become a generational battle, Anti-Carbon Tax Rallies | AYCC Rallies, Sydney Morning Herald, Ellen Sandell, national director of the Australian Youth Climate Coalition, 11 March 11, The debate on pricing carbon has rapidly deteriorated in the past few weeks since Opposition Leader Tony Abbott predicted a “people’s revolt” over the issues. Now, it’s turning into a full-blown generational war.The war between old and young, past and future is playing out in two ways. Firstly, this debate is pitting the voices of the past against the views and perspectives of younger generations. Secondly, it’s a fight between staying locked into ancient 19th century energy technology versus unlocking the clean, renewable energy resources that will power Australia into tomorrow.
So who are these voices of the past? A mix of climate deniers, conservative columnists, right-wing shock jocks and the big polluters are driving the scare campaign over a carbon price. There’s also a high level of involvement from politicians from the far right of the Liberal Party such as Corey Bernardi and Eric Abetz — egged on by Abbott.
The people they’re targeting to be part of their so-called “people’s revolt” are overwhelmingly senior citizens. Jacques Laxale, the man behind the national climate denier and anti-pollution price rallies starting tomorrow in Melbourne, said last week on Melbourne’s MTR radio that, “a lot of the response has come from people over 60s and in their 70s . . . nothing will stop them” coming to the rallies.
On the other hand, the strongest and most eloquent spokespeople for taking action on climate change are not the government or the representatives of the big environment organisations, but are instead mostly young people……..
When you know that you will be directly affected by decisions made by those in power, you think about things in a new light. It’s an entirely different world-view to those who are only a decade or two away from leaving this world behind.
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