Broulee teenager stoked with results from climate change event

Nicholls organised an extremely successful event on climate change that was held on Thursday, May 16, in the St Peters school hall.

"More than 300 chairs were put out, and that wasn't enough," he said. "People from all over the South Coast came along."

Nicholls started the evening by describing why he felt he had to do something.

"Over the past two summers, I noticed my interests were being severely impacted by climate change," he said. "If I wanted to fish in the future, and if I want to ski in Australia, then I had to do something.

"Doing nothing wasn't an option. By telling some mates and letting young people know what's going on, we have a better chance of acting and helping the race against climate change.

"Even things like snorkeling to look at coral, or the sea-life balance - something we all love but take for granted so much on the South Coast - is at risk, as is our health, our rainfall, our food-production systems, insect life, sea-level inundation, storm intensity - the list is endless."

Emeritus professor Will Steffen, a renown climate-change scientist from the Australian National University, presented the science at a global scale.

Reverend George Browning followed, speaking passionately about a trip to Europe and Africa. He was on fire about the changes to climate and the impacts he'd witnessed.

"Why is it that Australian politicians have not followed the leaders of most of the rest of the developed world?" he asked.

After the speeches, a 75-minute question-and-answer session was held with five panel members.

Panel members included author James Woodford, Nowra-based seaweed expert Dr Pia Winberg, Professor Steffen, Dr Browning, and Moruya student-activist Pearl Mitchell.

"It was great to hear the concerns and ideas of my age group," Nicholls said. "The discussion and ideas we were treated to were awesome!"

Dinner met with the Slow Food Australia ethos: pumpkin soup made from gardens at school and home served in keep cups.

Eight local action groups had stalls to promote their interests and angles on climate change.

Nicholls said the night wouldn't have been possible without a lot of help from the community.

"A lot of people made this night successful," he said. "Thanks to singer-songwriter Sam Fletcher for the Climate Change song, mum and dad for all their help, Ms Sascha Peard for encouraging me, and Linda Chapman for her great work with contacts."

Nicholls said it was beyond time for the Coalition government to take serious action on climate change.

"Heating by more than two degrees will mean more than just storms, bush fires and losing the Great Barrier Reef," he said. "Politicians are authorised to lead the nation - this means thinking and acting for the long-term interest.

"Additionally, we can all be smarter about how we use energy, what transport systems we use, what businesses we support, where we buy food, and how we minimise wastage in the food-use chain."

Nicholls also wished to thank 350.org, GetUp!, the South Coast Marine Group, South Coast Health & Sustainability Alliance, and the Eurobodalla Shire for making the night possible.