As flames ravage Los Angeles neighborhoods and global temperature records shatter, a generation of young Australians finds itself grappling with a deepening sense of disbelief – and urgently seeking answers. Confronted by a rapidly destabilizing climate and perceived political inaction, they’re left wondering: How did we get here, and where do we go now?
A Generation Adrift
For writer and climate activist Anjali Sharma, the latest wave of extreme weather events has only cemented a sentiment shared by many of her peers – one of profound disconnection from the political establishment. “My generation feels trapped in a system not built for us,” Sharma asserts. “Why wouldn’t we be disillusioned?”
This disillusionment, Sharma argues, stems from three key factors:
- Awareness – Armed with unprecedented access to information, today’s youth are acutely cognizant of the climate crisis and its ramifications.
- Cynicism – A pervasive sense that politicians are indifferent to their plight, prioritizing short-term agendas over long-term sustainability.
- Disaffection – A growing refusal to engage with a political apparatus perceived as broken and unresponsive to their needs.
Duty of Care: A Legislative Lifeline?
Amid this malaise, a glimmer of hope has emerged in the form of the proposed “duty of care” bill. Championed by Senator David Pocock and a coalition of prominent voices, the legislation seeks to enshrine governmental obligations to safeguard the health and wellbeing of younger generations in the face of climate change.
“There is still no legislation in Australia that acknowledges the disproportionate impact that climate change will have on children and future generations.”
– Anjali Sharma
Yet despite growing support, the bill has been met with what Sharma characterizes as “indifference” from Canberra. This apparent disconnect, she contends, exemplifies the chasm between political rhetoric and tangible action – a rift that threatens to further erode youth engagement with the democratic process.
Disaffection: Democracy’s Silent Killer
For an increasing number of young Australians, this perceived futility is proving corrosive. Sharma has witnessed even the most politically active among her cohort succumbing to a sense of helplessness, their passion dampened by the weight of an seemingly immutable system.
“This disaffection, this sense of futility, is the silent killer. It is the failure of democracy, the fact that young people feel trapped in a political system not built for them.”
– Anjali Sharma
2025: A Crossroads Election
As the nation looks ahead to the 2025 federal election, the question of youth engagement looms large. Will a generation already beset by climate anxiety and political disaffection find reason to re-engage? Or will hollow promises and perceived inaction further cement their withdrawal?
For Sharma, the path forward is clear: meaningful engagement and a genuine commitment from leaders to listen rather than dictate. “Maybe it could start with the duty of care bill,” she muses – a legislative olive branch that, if enacted, could begin to bridge the generational divide.
As the world burns and records fall, it’s a proposition that carries existential weight – not only for a generation grappling with an uncertain future, but for the very fabric of Australia’s democracy itself. The crossroads are upon us; which path we choose may well define the decades to come.
