We’re building a generation-wide movement to solve the climate crisis.
We do this by educating, empowering, inspiring and mobilising young people across the country.
Our theory of change…
AYCC believes that climate change is the single greatest threat facing humanity, and that young people – as the inheritors of this planet – are the key stakeholder in humanity’s response to the climate crisis. However, we also believe that addressing the climate crisis is an opportunity to create a more sustainable, just and fair Australia.
AYCC’s mission is to create a generation-wide movement to solve the climate crisis.
We believe that a movement can create the groundswell of support and momentum needed to inspire this transition. Politicians will not support the policy changes we need unless they think their political lives depend on it and businesses will not implement sustainable business practices unless they think their bottom lines depend on it. This will require thousands of people, particularly in politically strategic areas, willing and able to take deep action on climate change when needed.
The scale and breadth of the climate crisis requires urgent, comprehensive action. The latest science tells us that we need to keep carbon pollution to less than 350ppm, and that in order to do this, the world’s carbon pollution needs to peak by 2015 to 2017. This means we have only have, at most, five years left to begin the transition to a zero carbon economy.
Our values…
We need a movement, and young people will be at the forefront
It is only through a huge, diverse and committed social movement that we will see the solutions to the climate crisis realised. We believe that young people are a core agent of change in such a movement. At every level AYCC is led by young people. AYCC empowers young people in their local communities to create change on a national scale.
We want solutions to climate change that are just and sustainable
At its core, the climate crisis is an issue of human justice and the ability of the planet to sustain diverse species and cultures. We don’t support solutions that have perverse outcomes that threaten people’s human rights or promote environmental destruction. We always taken justice and sustainability into account in decisions we make – from the policies we support, through to our organisation’s own supply chain.
We’re political, but non-partisan
We recognise that Government plays a key role in the rapid transition to safe climate. We’re not afraid of running campaigns with a political element where it’s needed, such as applying pressure to ensure politicians do the right thing by the climate. We’re non-partisan, meaning that we don’t support one candidate or party over another – however we will judge them by their climate policies.
We’re ambitious and solutions-focused
The climate crisis can ignite fear and often paralyse people, so we must remain positive and solutions-focused to motivate people to act, although we’re not afraid to talk about the problem and climate impacts where necessary. We believe that the climate crisis can be solved and will not shy away from the big ideas that are necessary for a sustainable future. AYCC always seeks to foster a positive and optimistic culture.
We focus on outcomes
We focus on what’s most high-impact in bringing down emissions. We care about proper process, but ultimately look to outcomes to decide whether something is worth doing.
We are inclusive and diverse
All people will face the impacts of climate change and every community will need to be part of the solution. AYCC supports young people of diverse socio-economic background, gender, race, sexuality and religious and political beliefs to be part of the youth climate movement. We actively promote diversity and inclusiveness at all levels of the organisation. Rather than being insular, we always look to grow and engage all young Australians, especially those who are not yet our members.
We trust the latest, peer-reviewed science.
We only promote real, science-based solutions to the climate crisis. We focus on what’s needed to solve the climate crisis, not what’s politically expedient or easy. This means we’re aiming for 350ppm or below.
Our history and governance…
Download our 2011 Annual Report here
Download our 2010 Annual Report here