Youth, Climate and Australia’s Role on the Global Stage

As Australia continues its bid to host COP31 in Adelaide in November 2026, we are entering a defining moment in our nation’s climate journey. We asked our advocates to contribute blog posts on why COP31 matters to them, and what’s at stake for Australia. In this blog, Yopa shares his reflections.

Hosting COP31 could amplify Australia's voice on the global stage, strengthening the collective voices of climate activists within Australia and generating meaningful change. Being an integral member of the Commonwealth nations in the Indo-Pacific region with an abundance of resources and driven climate activists, Australia's role could have a domino effect in the region, resulting in stronger actions among other nations to act on mitigating the effects of climate change.

Listening is the key to tackling climate change. Sufficient action has not been pursued hitherto due to lack of political will and also opposing forces in regard to climate change and the effects thereof. Proactively listening and understanding Pacific voices is fundamental to ensure  strong collaboration, which will foster more holistic decision-making.

In climate change protests throughout the world, the youth tend to be the most prominently featured demographic; this demonstrates that young people are passionate about taking meaningful action on climate change and preserving the future of their environment. Whether actively on the frontlines of protests or in the shadows of administrative roles, the youth are deeply engaged with this issue. Educational policy should be reviewed to mandate and ensure that climate change and its effects are incorporated into the curriculum of all primary and secondary schools throughout Australia, which will build their capacity for further engagement. This entails practical experiences and implementing opportunities for young people to effectively collaborate with one another.

My hope for climate action lies with the youth, whenever I witness a climate change protest the youth tends to be the overwhelming majority demographic in attendance; despite suffering abuse, ridicule, and potential judicial woes, they manage to still attend and remain standing firm on their cause. However, my frustration is with some politicians who keep their silence or actively oppose the calls for climate justice.

Yopa Abraham is a proud advocate and campaigner for Results Australia. He holds a Bachelor of Public Health and Health Promotion With Distinction at Deakin University. Currently, he is pursuing post-graduate studies, specializing in infectious disease epidemiology at the University of Melbourne.