During the recent federal election, one thing remained constant: the Australian spirit—the belief in fairness, opportunity, and a better future. As Prime Minister Anthony Albanese declared, the ‘Australian populace has chosen Australian principles.’ But part of that identity is quietly slipping away.
‘Our land abounds in nature’s gifts, of beauty rich and rare.’ Nature is not only part of our anthem but part of who we are as Australians. Yet those ‘gifts’ are now burning, bleaching, and breaking under the pressure of climate change.
Climate change was a key issue for voters. Many chose candidates who promised action. The result? A clear Labor majority. But will that majority lead to meaningful progress?
There’s potential. The Albanese government now has the numbers to pass legislation with little resistance in the lower house, and the Greens continue to hold key Senate seats. Labor has promised to make Australia net zero by 2050, to support renewable energy, and to be involved in climate adaptation strategies. Yet their overall approach is cautious—an extension of past policies rather than a bold shift. Crucially, there’s still no clear plan to phase out fossil fuels.
And that matters. Without strong limits on coal, oil, and gas, reaching net zero by 2050 is almost impossible. The government leans heavily on carbon offsets, relying on tree planting and regeneration projects to ‘cancel out’ emissions, while allowing major polluters to continue emitting. But science is clear: real decarbonization requires fossil fuel emissions to fall sharply—by up to 70% by 2030—not just be offset.
We’re already seeing the damage. Flying my drone over local parks, I’ve seen it first-hand: patches of dying wattles and native plants struggling with rising drought conditions and below-average rainfall. Elsewhere in Victoria, snow gums are dying from beetle infestations, warming temperatures and repeated bushfires. Just a few months ago, bushfires swept across Western Victoria, destroying more than 93,000 hectares of native shrubland and wildlife habitat.
Global warming harms our local environment—an essential part of our lives. These ecosystems play a huge role in our health, wellbeing, and survival. They regulate our climate, purify air and water, and support food chains that ultimately support us. For indigenous peoples, they are a part of their history, identity and spiritual connection. And even just looking at nature has proven benefits. It improves mental wellbeing, lowers stress, and increases focus.
And yet, the government continues to harm our environment. They shelved major reforms to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act, leaving Australia’s main environmental law outdated and ineffective. They continue to invest over $14.5 billion annually in fossil fuel subsidies—more than five times what is spent on renewables. Instead of pivoting to the clean technologies and reforms that could power Australia’s future, we’re stuck in the past.
Seeing that our government is moving so slowly, it is easy to feel like our future is gloomy and hopeless. But change doesn’t start from the top. It builds from the ground up.
In my own life, I’ve started where I can. I volunteer at a local café that donates its profits to environmental advocacy. During the election, I handed out climate scorecards to encourage people to vote for candidates committed to protecting the environment. I started a YouTube channel where I display the natural beauty of our world through drone videos. I published a letter in the Herald Sun, prompting readers to take urgent climate action. These things might sound small, but they matter.
Just ask yourself, what can I do to make a difference? Public pressure is essential if we want faster, stronger climate action. You can start by contacting your local MP or senators to call for bolder climate policies. Community action matters too—raising awareness on social media, writing opinion pieces, or letters to newspapers. And you can connect with others by joining or supporting local climate advocacy groups.
We can even make small changes in our daily lives—that go a long way. Whether it’s choosing public transport over cars, switching your household to renewable energy, or just having thoughtful conversations with family and friends, these actions send a signal. They show that Australians are ready to change and are expecting their leaders to follow.
What matters the most is our voices. They don’t just stop at the ballot box. They continue in what we say, what we do, and what we expect of our leaders. If we want a future rich in the natural beauty we sing about, then it’s up to us to fight for it.
Christina Ding is a Year 10 student at MLC who is passionate about biodiversity, sustainability, and environmental advocacy. In her spare time, she captures Australian landscapes by drone and volunteers with local conservation groups.
Featured image: credit Christina Ding
Fist published in Eastsider News Edition 31, June 2025