Deanna Hayes, a private hospital nurse and a mother of three including Ambrose, a school striker, spoke about the health implications of climate change when she addressed a recent Students for Climate Action rally.
“When my son joined the school strike for climate movement just one year ago, I never imagined I would be standing here like this, an accidental activist.
I have been aware of climate change for a very long time but have never been so frustrated as I am now, when the evidence of global warming and climate change is beyond dispute. We are already suffering the beginnings of the consequences of the climate crisis.
I guess some of these beliefs rubbed off onto Ambrose, but I never imagined the time and effort a 14-year-old along with his fellow organising team, could (contribute) to follow the lead of another amazing teenager in Greta (Thunberg), and mobilise people into action for this movement.
Meetings, speeches, liaison with police and council, and disappearing from home for hours, even days on end: I guess that’s the life of school striker.
So I stand here today to ask, “Scomo, where the bloody hell are you?”
Hawaii, I believe? Are you having a nice holiday while Australia burns?
As a nurse I understand about health. I understand that bushfire smoke is toxic to us all.
I now understand about air quality measurements and read that last week in Sydney the PM 2.5 was the highest ever on record, and not only in Sydney but in country towns from Newcastle to Orange.
I understand that the nasal symptoms, sore throats and sinus problems people are suffering are real.
“As a mother I am terrified”
As a mother, I am worried. Actually, I am terrified.
I am terrified that my generation has not done enough to address the issues of climate change. I am terrified that my children will not be able to enjoy the natural world as I have.
I am dreadfully sad for the loss of animal life that has been incinerated in these dreadful firestorms.
I am dreadfully sad for the beautiful bushland we have enjoyed on our many camping trips as a family. Some of these rainforest areas are not fire adaptive so may never fully recover.
I am furious at the silence and inaction of our government. Scott Morrison can barely admit the link between climate change and our ongoing drought and fires.
I am furious at Scott Morrison’s insensitive comments, which are all he seems capable of making about the bushfires.
I’m sure those volunteers would love to be at home cheering at the cricket and not out day after day bravely defending their communities.
Our prime minister seems ready to pass the buck on the management of fighting these catastrophic fires to the state governments, instead of calling it a national emergency. Where is the urgency required to enlist help?
These fires have already burned more land than any other in the last 25 years. And it’s only the beginning of summer.
The burning of these fires has already released as much carbon into our atmosphere as half of our annual emissions. Isn’t that a national emergency?
The little people like us see this. Why don’t those in power?”