Hobart’s youth climate activism scene promises a bustling start to 2022, with the nipaluna branch of the Australian Youth Climate Coalition (AYCC) beginning the year with the launch of two campaigns.
Founded in 2004, AYCC is a national organisation comprised of people under 30 committed to fighting for climate justice. AYCC’s nipaluna branch works largely in ‘brand-jamming’ – an example being their efforts last year to pressure Origin Energy to discontinue fracking in the Northern Territory. The organisation also offers peer-to-peer mentoring and climate science workshops in high schools, as well as support for the SEED Indigenous Youth Climate Network.
Zoe Douglas-Kinghorn, a convenor for AYCC nipaluna, has been involved in the organisation since 2017. Growing up in a remote Tasmanian mining community, Zoe often felt powerless when thinking about the effects of climate change. For her, AYCC offered a place to work together to make a positive difference with other young people passionate about the environment.
The first campaign AYCC nipaluna is involved in is a national climate change survey, which can be found here. With a federal election drawing ever nearer, Zoe explains that AYCC hopes to use the survey’s results to show MPs, particularly those in marginal seats, that votes swing on climate. The survey gives members of the community the unique opportunity to let politicians know directly just how important action on climate change is to them, with the data collected from electorates around the country being compiled into a report to be shared with representatives.
AYCC’s second campaign is targeted against Spirit Super – Tasmania’s biggest superannuation provider and the default super of the public service. According to Zoe, ‘supperannuation companies are uniquely placed to be able to shift the power from fossil fuels to more environmentally sustainable businesses’. As such, AYCC nipaluna is calling on Spirit Super to divest the $150 million it places annually in Origin Energy and is asking for those invested in them to hold the super fund to account.
To get involved in AYCC nipaluna’s campaign against Spirit Super, Zoe invites those who are interested to come along to AYCC’s digital card-drop event on Tuesday the 8th of February at 5:30pm. Members will be making Valentine’s Day cards urging Spirit Super to ‘dump’ its assets in fossil fuels. AYCC nipaluna also encourages the public to write to Spirit Super directly via their website.
To get involved in AYCC nipaluna, a sign-up link is available on their website. The organisation has weekly online meetings to plan a range of actions which include events, awareness campaigns, rallies and workshops.
