Thousands of Australians heard a passionate speech by 17 year-old high school student Sasha Hunt at yesterday’s Walk Against Warming in Sydney, Australia.
Having brought many of the Sydney crowd to tears, in her first public speech Sasha told the crowd that “We have the opportunity to create the changes that will sculpt the world in which we live.”
“Looming on the horizon is the destruction of my future,” Sasha said.
“It is by acting in unity that we will be able to divert our course from the horrors of climate change and avoid ever having to look into our children’s eyes and explain why we didn’t try harder.”
A Lismore High School student who finished her HSC just days ago, Sasha is a high schools organiser with the Australian Youth Climate Coalition.
She says that speaking at the climate change rally was one of the highlights of her life.
“It was an amazing experience speaking to that many people about climate change – an issue which I feel so passionately about.
“The fact that it’s now all across the papers and on the news has been overwhelming.”
Sasha volunteers from Lismore with the ‘Switched On Schools’ program is helping organise Power Shift 2009, a national youth climate summit for April next year.
Here’s the transcript of her speech:
I would first like to acknowledge the Gadigal people of the Eora nation.
Good morning to all you incredible people here today who braved the weather to show your support for action on climate change.
I’m 17 years old and just finished my HSC, I am now a high schools organizer for the Australian Youth Climate Coalition.
I’m going to begin by acknowledging the crisis we face. Looming on the horizon is the destruction of my future. Before us is the suggestion of hard times and hunger, of environmental degradation to the point we are unable to turn back.
Yes, with great sadness I acknowledge these risks, but that is all. Because as Gandhi says: “Be the change you which to see in the world”
When I remember this quote, I think of an alternative vision for the future. I know that we still have the ability to change the world for the better.
It is this philosophy of active optimism that forms the basis of my speech today, because we have not all gathered here to dwell on the catastrophes of climate change but to embrace the opportunities.
My school motto- “Spectamur Agendo”- means “let us be judged by our actions.”
In one of the random synchronicities of life- these two statements combined one morning on my school shirt. Gandhi’s quote had become the motto of my Climate Change Action Committee and we wore the words on green badges, while the school motto was of course in my school emblem. Together the two read, “be the change you wish to see in the world” and “let us be judged by our actions”.
It is within these statements combined that I see true guidance and inspiration for action on climate change. Firstly, Gandhi encourages us to act in accordance with our moral standards by listening to and following our hearts.
Climate change poses a horrific threat to my future. To not act now would be an ethical disaster and we will have utterly betrayed our children and ourselves.
By looking into our hearts we are able to see clearly the changes we wish for the world, and realize the necessity of immediate implementation of strong carbon pollution reduction targets.
The Lismore High motto then reminds us that without action, all the good intentions of our hearts will go unnoticed.
It reminds the politicians that they can make their election promises and hold their political discussions but in the end they will be judged only on what they actually do, it reinforces to us that our children and grandchildren will want an explanation for the kind of earth that they inherit.
It is us, here in this time that have the choice. We have the opportunity to create the changes that will sculpt the world in which we live.
It is by acting in unity that we will be able to divert our course from the horrors of climate change, and avoid ever having to look into our children’s eyes and explain why we didn’t try harder.
I know that I will never give up, and from seeing you all here today I believe the same of every one of you.
So I say lets grasp this climate opportunity with both hands, and may we be judged by our actions.
Thank you
