An Indigenous youth climate network is looking to become the country’s first Indigenous youth-led environmental organisation, its co-founder says.
Established in 2014 as a program of the Australian Youth Climate Coalition, Seed Mob is focused on championing Indigenous leadership in addressing the climate crisis and building strong and sustainable communities.
Seed has been outspoken in standing up for land rights, particularly in the Northern Territory where more than half of the land is under oil and gas exploration licences.
Now, the organisation is looking to branch out independently, and co-founder Amelia Telford says they want to continue the work of First Nations people for time immemorial.
“As the sea levels are rising, so too are young First Nations people around the world from the Standing Rock protests in Dakota, to the rise of Indigenous youth for Wet’suwet’en in Canada, to our very own youth standing up against fracking in the Northern Territory.
“We have a right and a responsibility to look after our country, as our people have done for generations. We are facing a climate crisis and our communities are the frontlines. As young people, we cannot afford to sit by.
“Seed Mob will play a critical role in building up the next generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to lead climate justice campaigns that protect our land, water and future,” said Amelia.
