When I look at Greta Thunberg doing everything in her power to rouse the leaders of the world into urgently acting on Climate Change, I feel many emotions.
As a teacher, I am in awe. As an adult, I am humbled. As a human being, I am inspired. As a parent, I am so very, very grateful.
I'm transfixed by the image of her standing behind Donald Trump, boring holes into his back with her glare, steeling herself to defeat this piece of human trash with every fibre of her being. A man so pathetic he walked out of the Climate Change Summit after ten minutes.
And all the while, another 'kid' susceptible to climate change hype and propaganda calls out our Prime Minister for his pathetic, dangerous, coal-obsessed inaction. That kid is Sir David Attenborough. 94 years young. He may know a few things.
With people like this fighting for us, I know we can win. But only if we stand together.
Seriously, if someone tries to belittle the actions of people lke Greta and Sir David by citing the 'but they fly in planes' argument, tell them to bugger off. This is about carbon reduction, not carbon extinction. We still have to live in this world. We need to be light of footprint, not without one. The notion the only the perfect are allowed to give advice or signal a direction is the coward's shield. Don't fall for it.
Stop allowing those in the mainstream media to turn this scientific reality into an ideological debate. Stop allowing them to sell the idea that their ignorance is worth the same (if not more) than scientific understanding. Science is THE most conservative body of knowledge. Anywhere. It is not ideological. It needs to be heard. And acknowledged. And enacted. It is the best of what we know.
So what can you do? Boycott publications like The Australian and The West Australian for as long as they continue to give oxygen to climate change deniers like Andrew Bolt and Paul Murray. These publications are selling out humanity. Well, if money is all they understand, then go for their hip pockets. (I'm sure we can all survive without yet another hyperbolic, cliche-ridden article about football.)
George Bernard Shaw once said: 'People who believe it cannot be done shouldn't stand in the way of those who are doing it.' This can just as easily apply to those who think it need not be done. If others disagree, and want to act, then let them act. You have nothing to lose!
Listen. Respect. Care. Act. In whatever way you can.