Climate Action 2014-2015

“I am a three-time Australian
representative to the United Nations
Environment Programme (UNEP), Tunza
Programme and was a keynote speaker at
their conferences in Norway, South Korea
and Java.
In addition, I was a Partner and
Australian Representative for the
International Youth Accord on
Biodiversity.
“I was a team member of the Plastiki
expedition. What I learnt as part of this
experience enabled me take action locally
and address the issues of plastics in our
oceans. My proposal to have the single use
plastic water bottle banned at my school
was accepted by the school’s principal and
executive. My three recommendations
were implemented: (i) install water bottle
filling stations; (ii) revamp the school’s
bubblers; and (iii) provide each student
and teacher with a stainless steel drinking
bottle with the school’s emblem on it.
This was the first school in Australia
to provide drinking bottles as part of
the solution. Two other schools have
implemented my model also.”
INTERGENERATIONAL
EQUITY
Raines is working to try to change
the perception that developing green
sustainability initiatives and moving
to a low carbon economy comes at a
high cost to businesses and families.
“All generations use our earth and all
generations must play a part in caring
for the earth,” she points out. “But the
present generation must pass on to us,
the next generation, a planet and all its
natural resources in as good or better
condition than they received it; or else
our future needs will not be met.
“My work to educate other young
people and those in my community is
about bringing climate change issues
more to the forefront and to discuss
these issues with decision-makers and
work alongside them to ensure that
intergenerational equity is an integral
part of their decision-making. I would
like to see the implementation of
concrete measures that will ultimately
protect the rights of future generations,
especially those from developing nations.
"All generations use our
earth and all generations
must play a part in caring
for the earth."
“I want intergenerational equity to
become part of everyday language and
the main motivation behind every
business, school and government agency
decision-making process.” Raines
hopes that this will encourage more
intergenerational communication
and bi-partisan leadership. “I believe
young people should be part of
all decisions that impact them
today, but most importantly in the
future. Intergenerational equity and
intergenerational communication are
vital to a sustainable future.
“I would also like to see environmental
laws strengthened to ensure that longterm
sustainable solutions and initiatives
are implemented and protected. I want
to encourage more young people to
push for low carbon, sustainable, climate
resilient developments alongside the
necessary economic solutions. This
would ensure that future generations
will be better protected from the
impacts of climate change. I want to
see intergenerational equity demanding
all decision processes be ambitious and
equitable. All generations have different
responsibilities and capabilities, and
current local leaders need to ensure
and understand that is imperative that
the decisions they make in terms of
sustainable development are made with
future generations in mind and are fair,
equitable, transparent and economically
sound.
“I am optimistic that our global
community will be able to change
the political will that is required for a
cleaner, smarter and sustainable future –
because if we don’t, we face irreversible
damage to the planet and that is not
acceptable.”
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