Young voters will inherit a hotter, more dangerous world – but their climate interests are being ignored this election

While there was plenty of heat in Sunday’s night’s debate between Labor and Coalition leaders, one issue was barely mentioned: climate change. This raises a large red flag for Australia’s young voters.

Despite an election term marred with extreme bushfires and floods, there was a conspicuous absence of climate change questioning during debate. When asked about the future of young Australians, both leaders quickly switched to housing reform as well as job security for all Australians.

For a generation that will have to face an Extremely high number of environmental disastersResearch consistently shows that climate change is one of the most significant threats to human health in their lifetime. top challengeson the minds and hearts of young people. Recently, students have been spreading this message across the country. RequirementsPrior to the federal election, May 21, political leaders will take greater climate action.

So which party really has young interests at heart – and which doesn’t? Let’s look at where the major players stand on youth and climate change policy.

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What is the Labor Rate?

According to vote compass dataClimate change has been rated as the top issue by Australians this election, surpassing any other issue. Climate change was also overwhelmingly rated as the top issue in The Conversation’s #SetTheAgenda poll.

But despite the long-term vision of voters, Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese was keen to focus squarely on immediate returns in Sunday’s debate, especially on issues related to “right now” – A phrase repeatedIn his closing remarks, he spoke nine times.

Albanese was the winner Campaign to Classroomsthis week, and pivot to housing reform when directly inquired about the future for youth lives in Australia.

This was not only a missed opportunity, but it also failed to mention the newly announced Funding for high-achieversTo study teaching, but also to draw your attention to the fact that Labor also has an engagement planTo reconnect with young people involved in politics.

Youth voters often feel You are not allowed to engage in policy discussionsExercises, disingenuous consultation processes, serving the agendas and interests of people in power rather than genuine youth representation.

Labor policy aims to overcome some of these problems by connecting youth voices with government in decision-making. This is a very important step. Top-down approachIt could be a step in the right direction towards meaningful integration of young people into politics.

With these foundations, it’s unfortunate that climate change and youth issues have not been openly championed by Albanese. Young people will have to go searching through buried policy to see whether they’ll be heard after May 21, but not before.

What about the Coalition, though?

The Liberal National Party has been similarly Avoiding climate change discourse.

This was evident in March, when Sussan Ley, Environment Minister, was found to be a federal court. There is no duty of careYoung people confronted by the climate crisis. Ley had successfully appealed a previous ruling in a landmark case brought by eight students, setting a disappointing stage for the Coalition’s campaign trail.

However, the Liberal Party does have Policy support for communities and structures that surround young Australians, including funding for schools, parents, and getting young people into jobs, as Prime Minister Scott Morrison repeatedly highlighted in Sunday’s debate.

Liberal Party youth policy is also ironic. If elected, they promise large investment in youth mental health despite climate change (and lack of action) being a reality. Anxiety is a key sourceSorgen for young people

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Many research. My ownClimate change has been shown to be a severe burden on mental health, especially among teenagers. While anxiety can lead to disengagement from politics, it can also be a source for young people to use it as a motivator. Motivation to engage with politics in ways they haven’t before.

This will likely be a driving force for School Strike 4 Climate events leading up to May 21st (and beyond). Planned Action at Treasurer Josh Frydenberg’s Kooyong electorate offices.

Overall, the Coalition’s hopes for an employed youth sector are not without merit, but failing to link the need for youth reform with the climate emergency seriously tarnishes any credibility they may have had on youth issues.

The Independents and Greens

The last election in 2019 saw Australian youth vote. Most people are left-leaningThis is the country with the lowest Liberal vote among voters under 35. In fact, 37% of 18-24-year-olds voted for the Greens primarily, and this number is likely to stay high on May 21.

The Greens are the only major party in the upcoming election that specifically mentions youth and climate change together. Their policies. They are aware of the long-term effects of climate action on future Australians. They also strongly support the School Strike 4 Climate movement’s demands.

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Much of the Greens climate policy is mirrored in some way by “teal” Independents. Crossbench hopefuls, however, are clearly targeting different demographicsin their contested seat: Trending Green are generally younger people with lower incomes than those who are in seats turning teal.

Young people are a key constituency in key electorates like Wentworth in New South Wales, Goldstein and Macnamara (Victoria), and Wentworth in New South Wales. 16-18% registered voters. Climate-aligned platform may be the deciding factor when seats are shifted away form the major parties.

The verdict

Although the campaign trail may not be too concerned about youth voters, the long-term consequences of their treatment will have very real returns as they get older.

Late teens and early-20s are critical years for forming political personas that can only grow stronger into adulthood. Climate change is an issue that youth are going to be concerned about throughout their lives.

Albanese may have won Sunday night’s debate by a hair according to The Conversation’s expert panel, but it was clear that Australia’s young people were not winners in the political shouting match.

With a Labor government or a strong crossbench, the future of youth engagement in climate change and youth engagement may be brighter. However, the major parties remain too narrowly focused on short-term goals.

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