This is a copy of the speech by Daniel Lynch at the recent March for Survival in Adelaide

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"Nature consists of water, earth and fire. We are 70% water and burn energy grown from the Earth. To quote David Suzuki: “we are not separate from the environment. We are the environment.” We must realise that destroying the air, the water, or the earth will lead to human devastation. As Tim Flannery says “the climate doesn’t change on its own.”

Ladies and gentlemen, as I look out over the audience and I cannot do anything but smile. Gathered in the hundreds we are shaping the climate debate in our favour. We, together, are showing the leaders of our country that Australia wants strong action on climate change.

My name is Daniel Lynch, and I am just one of the passionate youth activists here today from the AYCC. That is, the Australian Youth Climate Coalition.

The sheer support and number of organisations that are represented at today’s rally are testament to the public support of action on climate change, be it in the form of a carbon price, an emissions trading scheme or heavy investment in clean energies.

But whilst it is easy to be swept up in the politics of climate change, the economics of climatic disasters and the delays of justice we desire, we must sit back and think: why am I here? What is it that compelled me to come here today? Everybody here made a conscious decision to attend today.

My passion for environmentalism and climate action started only one year ago. Brought into the world of social change via the AYCC’s youth climate summit, Power Shift, I was initially apprehensive in attending, as I ahad no friends there, and didn’t know much about climate change. By the end of the weekend I was inspired by the ingenuity and passion around me. It made me want to do more to solve this issue. I now campaign on behalf of the climate which, sadly, has no rights. But why am I here? Because climate change is a youth issue. It will affect not only my generation but those in the future. Solving climate change is about intergenerational equity. And I demand that the government and leaders in Australia realise that the time for action is now! There is a huge public support base for sustainability! Without significant changes to our lifestyles and our economy, there isn’t much hope.

But I do see hope every day. At my university, where they have introduced a 3-point recycling system, including organic recycling. I see packed busses and trains, the countless cyclists, the solar panels on rooftops! On that note, here is a trick I use every time that I see a solar panel. I cry out “SOLARPANEL!” and give my girlfriend a kiss. She tends to return the favour. It’s a win-win situation! I take notes of where I can buy organic produce and what brands are vegan, so that I can support ethical businesses. Another great way to show others a sustainable option: Vegan muffins. Common to AYCC events, it makes climate action delicious. Hope is out there, and the support for climate action is, well, right here!

I also see hope in politics. Here, a democratic government is finally representing the desire of the public to put a price tag on pollution. What we need to demand is a high price per tonne of carbon emissions. We need a strong price on pollution so that businesses are responsible for the pollution that they emit. The economics will then favour sustainable products, like solar panels, which means I can kiss my girlfriend more often.

How will we do this? The AYCC, for one, has ambitiously decided to meet with all 226 Members of Parliament before the Senate changes over in July. Ordinary people meeting with politicians to speak their views? Unheard of! And yet Australians are doing it. And on Thursday the AYCC met with Prime Minister Julia Gillard to discuss climate change. It is commonly know that one letter from the public to a politician is equivalent of 10 people. A call is 100 people. Imagine multiple meetings with every member in Australia! Surely that will get the message across.

If there is one thing that I can ask of you today it is that you go home, and on the way home, think of something you could do. You could easily walk or ride to the shops. The light globes in your kitchen could easily be replaced with efficient bulbs. Why buy produce from America, when local organics are available from the Barossa? Shall I throw my support behind a climate group; CLEAN SA, GreenPeace, the AYCC?

These are simple questions with simple answers. Answers that will change Australia."

Having trouble understanding all the climate warming science ? Visit this great visual explanation from the UK.

http://wakeupfreakout.org/film/tipping.html