OCEANIA CLIMATE STORIES
Youth voices on climate change impacts and solutions are articulate, creative and needed. Climate change is often communicated through graphs, reports, and policy debates, but it’s important to ensure the lived experiences of young people across Oceania are captured and included in these discussions.
Through personal stories, poetry, photography, artwork, and opinion pieces, young people from across Oceania share what it is like to live with the realities of a changing climate. These stories capture moments of loss, resilience, culture, community, and hope, grounding the climate crisis in everyday experience.
PERSONAL NARRATIVE
POEM
POEM
As a proud, young Yidinji man from Far North Queensland, Guruji Wagner describes how his connection with his Indigenous heritage has shaped his perspective on environmental sustainability and climate change.
Olivia Wallace longs for a world of thriving nature and clean air.
Carina Griffen tells of the experience of growing up with the threat of bushfires and the realities of climate inaction.
CALL TO ACTION
PERSONAL NARRATIVE / VIDEO
PERSONAL NARRATIVE
Pacific and Indigenous people have long been global leaders in climate action, writes Mary Maselina Harm. It’s time for Australia to listen to their voices, phase out fossil fuels, and take real climate action.
As a 10-year-old during the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires, Daniella documented the experience in her diary.
During lockdown, Max Collett lent his hand to the Black Summer bushfire rebuilding effort – and bore witness to the incredible resilience of ecosystems and communities of Gippsland.
PHOTO ESSAY
COLLAGE
A project that highlights the injustices faced by the Banaban people from decades of phosphate mining, forced relocation, and underdevelopment. Photos and words by Katja Phutaraksa Neef, and the Banaban Human Rights Defenders.
A collage by Noor Azizah depicting the profound impact of climate change on the Rohingya people.
INTERVIEW
POEM
POEM
Kara Guloien interviewed sixteen-year-old Sena of Nuku’alofa, Tonga, on climate change and the strength of her community.
Kupakwashe Matangira wishes for a world where nature is cared for, and leaders listen to calls for action.
When Carina Griffen was little, she had a fire escape plan.
POEM
POEM
CALL TO ACTION
Angelica Mantikas wishes for a time before the Anthropocene.
Words by Carina Griffen
Scarlett wants you to consider what individual actions you can take to minimize your environmental footprint.
CALL TO ACTION
POEM
POEM
Decision-making at international climate conferences often excludes those who are most impacted by climate change. An anonymous contributor writes about how climate change is more than a global crisis; it is also deeply personal.
Words AJ.
Zac Chu documents his journey to becoming a climate justice campaigner and advocates for youth empowerment in climate action.
POEM
POEM
PHOTO
Words Carina Griffen.
Ashwin Raghuraman‘s take on the Dr. Seuss classic – and call to bridge the moral narrative told to children with determined policy actions.
An anonymous contributor records the impacts of climate change on local resources.
