By Ignatius Kim
SYDNEY — In marked contrast to the country's "leaders", who failed to notice the environmental crisis during the recent federal election, concern is alive and well among young people.
Demanding environmental justice for all, 178 young activists from around Australia came together for the fourth national conference of the Environmental Youth Alliance at the University of Technology, Sydney, on April 9-10.
The average age of participants was just under 20. Women were a big majority, making up 62% of the conference.
"That's one of our major strengths: we're an organisation of young people, run by young people. It's also a positive sign that we're attracting a lot of young women activists", said Rebecca Meckelburg from Perth EYA.
To formally launch the conference, EYA organised a public forum about indigenous peoples' rights on April 8. The forum opened with a performance by the Awareness Community Theatre group from Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. This took up social and environmental problems caused by multinationals plundering resources in these countries.
Described by Zanny Begg, one of the organisers, as "the biggest and best to date", the conference even attracted an activist from New Zealand. Speaking on a panel on environmental struggles around the world, Kirsty Charles expressed hopes of establishing an EYA branch in Auckland on her return.
In fact, three new branches were formally convened at the conference: Dalesford in Victoria, Launceston and Wollongong. People from other regional areas also attended.
"This is a clear indication of the environmental consciousness of young people. Despite the attempts of politicians and the
corporate media to trivialise the worsening ecocide, we realise that it is our future that is at stake", said Begg.
"The theme of environmental justice is therefore very real for our generation. This theme also recognises that environmental concern is not simply about saving trees. It's also about changing the living conditions that force people, especially in the Third World, to destroy the environment.
"In today's world, it's impossible to think about the environment without thinking about the plight of the Third World."
Taking place in the International Year of Indigenous Peoples, the conference sent a message of solidarity to the peace camp set up over the same weekend outside Nurrungar, the US military base in South
This message called for withdrawal from the "joint facilities" program and the redirection of Australia's military spending — currently around $20 million a day — towards peaceful, environmentally sound purposes.
It demanded that indigenous peoples be treated with respect and equality. "Central to this is the question of land rights. We therefore call for the Woomera, the site of Nurrungar, to be handed back to the Kokotha people", the message stated.
The conference agenda ranged from workshops on the social roots of famines in Africa, through to a feature panel on the urban environment which explored alternative energy sources and identified the need to make industries — the biggest polluters — environmentally accountable.
Campaign workshops met to discuss EYA work in high schools and on campuses, as well as to bring participants up to date on activities around the country, like the Brisbane public transport campaign and Sydney EYA's efforts to stop the third nuclear reactor at Lucas Heights.
Planning for World Environment Day (June 5) was also begun. This year, sponsorship has been obtained from radio station Triple J.
The conference inspired much hope and enthusiasm, especially among members of the newly convened branches.
"It achieved everything it set out to achieve, which was to educate, to inspire, to activate and to empower all the youth who were there", commented Cameron Price of Dalesford.
De Arn Dunning from Launceston agreed: "It was a great way of getting young people from all over Australia together to coordinate campaigns and fight for justice for the environment. It was really great, really enthusiastic."
Launceston EYA is planning a public transport campaign leading up to World Environment Day. Dalesford EYA wants to raise awareness of water quality, which is a major issue in the area because of superphosphate run-off from farms.
Frank Newman was active for two years in the Environment Society at Wollongong University before helping to set up Wollongong EYA in February. "I was looking to do much more, and EYA seemed to offer the national framework", said Newman. The Environment Society has since affiliated to EYA.
Newman found the conference inspiring. "I've got so many new ideas for campaigns, how to run meetings, and with much more knowledge of the nature of environmental problems, both local and international. It's helped to put the big picture together", he said.
Newman is hopeful that more and more people, especially young people, the environment. He considers becoming active early important for mobilising that voice and making it strong.
He added, "I'm hoping to continue my activism for the rest of my life".