Parting dig by youth council
GEELONG’S inaugural youth council has ended its term by giving current Geelong councillors a dressing-down over their rejection of a climate emergency declaration.
Youth Mayor Josie Horne urged councillors to reconsider their decision.
“Geelong’s youth need a recognition of the climate crisis by our representatives so that we can all act accordingly,” Ms Horne said in her final speech on Tuesday night.
“Youth council are aware that council has recently voted against this, yet we strongly urge council to reconsider your position.
“We can no longer be blissfully ignorant and ignore the facts, a climate emergency declaration is imperative to the prosperity of all young people.
“Thus, on behalf of the Geelong youth council and the young people of Geelong, I urge and implore council to reconsider declaring a climate emergency.”
Ms Horne said almost all participants at the city’s recent youth summit declared a desire for the city to declare a climate emergency.
The Youth Mayor’s parting jab came after a majority of councillors in September rejected a motion to declare a climate emergency.
Instead, an alternative was passed to acknowledge “climate change poses a risk to the people of Geelong and Australia, and requires a genuine and co-ordinated response”.
Nominations are open for the 2020 Geelong Youth Council, with a dozen councillors aged 12-17 to be selected.
For details or to nominate, visit geelongaustralia.com.au/ youthcouncil