REASONS FOR HOPE

Many people feel  overwhelmed by what is happening on a variety of fronts – in relation to the crises in the natural world, to escalating climate change, to horrific wars, to violence in our communities, to economic hardship and to political stupidity and incompetence.  To some people the possibility that things could or will improve does not seem likely.

Dr Jane Goodall is not one of these people.  She is a world-renowned primatologist, ethologist and environmental advocate who has just conducted a speaking tour on reasons for hope in Australia and New Zealand.

Over many years Dr Goodall, who conducted groundbreaking research on chimpanzees in the Gombi forests in Tanzania, has worked extensively on conservation and animal welfare issues.  In order to encourage others to be involved in seeking positive change, she founded important international organisations – the Jane Goodall Institute (1977) and her youth program Roots and Shoots (1991).

Speaking before her recent tour she said, “Today’s young people – they’re so excited and empowered.  We’re listening to their voices.  That gives us reasons for hope.  I love Australia and New Zealand with its rich biodiversity and proud First Nations heritage.  It will be tremendous to catch up with old friends and meet some of the young leaders making a difference through Roots & Shoots.”

Major issues that she believes need addressing are loss of biodiversity and climate change. Another is the need to raise people out of poverty in countries where abject poverty is driving habitat clearing for reasons like the sale of timber or the need for cropland.

A major reason for hope, she says, is that nature is very resilient and, if it is allowed to recover, or is helped to do so, it will recover over time.  She has seen that in the area surrounding the Gombi Stream National Park in Tanzania.  Her other major hope lies in young people who, when committed to change, work enthusiastically towards it and also have the very important power of influencing their parents and others in the community.

Jane Goodall’s positive message is inspiring.

-        Leonie Blain

 Published in the "Voices for the Earth" column in The Clarence Valley Independent , June 12, 2024.

 

ANJALI SHARMA ON VOTING FOR THE CLIMATE

Anjali Sharma was one of eight young people who took the federal Environment Minister (Sussan Ley) to court last year over whether the minister had a duty of care to young people in the decisions she made approving new fossil fuel projects which could exacerbate the effects of climate change in the future.  While the court originally found in favour of the young litigants, the decision was overturned on appeal.

Ms Sharma is still campaigning for effective climate action.  She recently asked all candidates at a candidates’ debate in the inner Melbourne federal seat of Macnamara if they believed that the federal environment minister owed a duty of care to young people to protect them from climate change.

One of the candidates, instead of simply answering “Yes” or “No”, expanded her response by saying that teaching children there is a climate emergency is almost abuse because it’s stressing them about the environment.  This candidate added later that we should be teaching our children hope, not fear.  Many of the children she was referring to are adolescents who are interested in understanding the world and its problems and do not want to be kept in ignorance – blissful or otherwise.  In other words they are certainly not the “quiet Australians” so beloved of our current Prime Minister.

Ms Sharma  stated that she and other young activists are informed people who have read the news and have listened to the climate scientists and know that time is running out for securing a livable future.

She is very concerned about the major parties’ failure to take climate change seriously with their talk of the economic importance of backing fossil fuels and ignoring the humanitarian cost as well as the many well-documented benefits of shifting to a clean economy.  

In a recent article in the Guardian Australia she pointed out that currently there are 114 new fossil fuel projects in the pipeline.

As a first time voter, she said that she will be voting for the climate as will be hundreds of thousands of young people like herself.

            -Leonie Blain

 

YOUNG PEOPLE ON CLIMATE CHANGE

A talented group of young people from Byron Youth Theatre  presented “How on Earth” in Grafton and Maclean at the end of March as part of this year’s Clarence Valley Plunge Festival. 

At a time when young people are becoming increasingly concerned about their future and the future of the planet, the “How on Earth” cast took audiences on an intriguing journey, exploring two different realities in the near future, asking what could be possible and how on earth we could create it.

This unusual event came to the Clarence through a partnership between the Byron Youth Theatre and the Maclean based community group Friends of Foresthaven’s Joyality Project.   Joyality’s Director Dr Eshana Bragg said they were happy to be part of this year’s Plunge Festival and were grateful for a NSW Government “Increasing Resilience to Climate Change” community grant as well as support from Clarence Valley Council and local community organisations.

As part of their research and development for the play, the Byron Youth Theatre cast members conducted interviews with other young people locally and nationally about their concerns about the environment, climate change and COVID 19.

Director Lisa Apostolides then wove their responses into a production that offers hope in a time of uncertainty and change.

“Young people have deep concerns about their future and rightly so,” Ms Apolstolides said.  “We may not have all the answers but we can choose how we respond to our changing world.”

The theatre presentations on  were followed  by an interactive and uplifting workshop to explore the meaning taken away from the performance , as well as discovering inspiration for positive action and building  resilience.

As well as the public performances in Grafton (March 28) and Maclean (March 30), there were performances and workshops in several local high schools.

Earlier presentations of “How on Earth” have been praised as inspirational and an authentic voice of youth dealing with an issue of obvious importance to them. 

Scene from  the theatre performance