“We are playing Russian roulette with features of the planet's atmosphere that will profoundly impact generations to come. How long are we willing to gamble?” - David SuzukiOUR VISION:
To build a coalition of youth and youth-friendly groups that will work together to change the way Australians act and think about climate change and climate justice
We invite your organisation to be part of a newly forming coalition of environmental and social justice groups working to build a youth climate coalition in Australia.
We hope that you will join us in catalysing this coalition of Australian youth to:
• pressure our local and national leaders to pass meaningful and effective climate change policy
• mobilise and activate more Australian youth across the country.
Founding Summit– November 19-21, 2006 in Melbourne
We will be hosting a Founding Summit to launch the coalition from November 19-21 to 2006 in Melbourne, Victoria. We hope that a representative from your organisation will be able to attend in order to shape and join this coalition and galvanise a movement of active youth across Australia.
At this summit we aim to:
1. Develop and adopt a coalition mission and operating principles,
2. Identify strategic opportunities for youth involvement and plan coordinated action to affect the political and broader national debate on climate change,
3. Create a Youth Climate Charter that lays out our vision for a clean and just climate future,
4. Engage a broader base of youth in taking action on climate change in their local communities and (when possible) at the regional, national, and international levels.
We are currently raising funds to hold the summit and we hope to have a few scholarships available for travel.
Why a youth climate coalition?
Young people have one of the most legitimate voices to speak out on climate change because it is OUR future that is at stake. The climate does not have time for voluntary commitments; we need drastic reductions, binding commitments and bold leadership today… so we want to build it!!
Fortunately, it’s not too late to turn the political tide in Australia but we need your voice, your energy, and you body in action to do it.
There is no doubt we can solve this problem. In fact, we have a moral obligation to do so. The time to come together to solve this problem is now – IT’S TIME TO TAKE ACTION.
This Coalition will allow us to:
- Perform strong, targeted national and local actions to raise awareness and pressure policy makers.
- Create and advocate for a better vision of Australia’s future, with broad support and diverse input.
- Share knowledge, resources, creativity and good humour to solve the most pressing problem of our generation.
- Develop coordinated media and campaign strategies to more effectively communicate the importance of climate change to young Australians.
Why are you telling me all this?
We are writing to you because we would like your organisation’s support and participation in this coalition building process. We want to bring as many different youth voices to the table as we can because this is an issue of national concern and scope while its affects and responses will vary locally.
We need your voice. We need your actions.
I LOVE IT! Now what do I need to do?
#1: Let us know whether you would be able to attend the founding summit November 19-21 in Melbourne. Find the application form attached or email anna.starr.rose@gmail.com or visit www.asen.org.au to get one. Applications are due Wednesday November 1st.
#2: Give us any suggestions or comments to help this process. In particular if you know of any groups working on climate change or energy issues from a social justice perspective, please let us know to invite them to this process in order to make it as diverse and inclusive as possible. Email wennytheresia@yahoo.com.au.
#3: Join one of the five working groups, based on our next steps above (Conference Organisation, Outreach, Drafting the Charter, Taking Action, and Fundraising). Just email anna.starr.rose@gmail.com and tell us which working group you would like to be a part of. You can also request more detailed descriptions of each working group.
#4: Spread the word, and invite others. Provide input into the Youth Climate Charter by emailing us and stay tuned for our request to endorse the Charter once it has been formulated.
In solidarity,
The Youth Climate Coalition Organising Team
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