You don't have to be a hippy

It's true. You don't need to be a hippy to care for our Earth. 
You don't need to be a hippy to be passionate about climate change.
You certainly don't need to be a hippy to create change in this world of ours.

Yet many people have this preconception that if you want to look after the Earth, you must be a hippy. Chris Van Ingen has shown Geelong otherwise. 

Last night, I attended an amazing display of talent and creativity at the Reel Change Film Festival. The night was designed to showcase films created by the youth of Geelong that shared a message of 'Climate change, be the change'. 

I am truly in awe of the amazing talent, passion and dedication that the youth of Geelong have for climate change. From the young people who organised the film festival to the film makers, I am privileged to be a part of such an inspiring movement to create change. 

Chris Van Ingen, my cousin, was one of these film makers. He wrote, directed and produced a brilliant short film entitled 'Just Good Business'. Chris wanted to highlight the fact that you don't need to be a "hippy" to care about our environment. He simply wants to look after the world for his nephew and by growing your own vegetables, having chickens, solar power and catching public transport...it's just good business because in the long run, living with the earth is a more economical way of living. 

Chris wanted people to understand that anyone can be the change and I totally agree with him.

We can be the real change in our world.

Chris received an award for 'Best Actor' at the Reel Change Film Festival

Climate change, be the change

You don’t need to be a climate scientist to make a difference.

As Anna Rose says “...we don’t need anything other than what we already have to do this. Our minds. Our bodies. Our words. And most importantly our hearts.”

That is definitely what this amazing group of people do every day. The values of sustainability, peace and advocacy for the earth are incorporated throughout their lives.

When I am feeling down about the state of our world, I think of these guys. I know that with people like Zac, Sam, Madison, Edward and all of the AYCC Geelong gang our world is in safe hands.

Each one of them makes a difference in this world. Not one of them is a climate scientist, in fact most are still in high school, and yet their knowledge, enthusiasm and organisational skills just amaze me.

Last night, I went to dinner with these lovely people and had fantastic in depth conversations of climate action, organising federal budgets and many hypothetical questions around foreign aid.

Amidst these conversations, I learnt of their latest endeavour ‘Reel Change’, a film festival allowing young people to have a voice on climate change. The funds raised from the film festival will go directly to assisting local businesses in Geelong transition to a low carbon future.

With creativity and enthusiasm, these young people will continue to create real change in this world of ours.

For more information, you can register here or visit the ‘Reel Change’ Facebook page. The Reel Change Film Festival will be run Friday 31 August. Head here to book your ticket to see this youth led film festival. 

My Captain Planet

Zac Power.

It has the ring of a superhero’s name.

For anyone that knows this amazing guy, you would agree that his name truly suits him; Zac Power is Geelong’s own Captain Planet.

For as long as I have known Zac he has been a huge advocate for the environment. He educates the community about environmental issues, involves himself in many campaigns and leads by example in the personal choices he makes.

Two years ago, Zac threw himself into the work of the Australian Youth Climate Coalition and has not looked back. Only last year, he initiated the AYCC Geelong group and has been working on building and strengthening group relations, community support and environmental awareness within the community.

He is, and always will be, committed to creating an environmentally just and sustainable world.

It is for these reasons, that I am proud to congratulate Zac on being able to hold high the Youth Environment Award from the Impetus Youth Awards.

I feel so grateful to have met such an inspiring, passionate and dedicated young person.

One, who I can also call my friend.

I know that no matter what the future holds, Zac will always be standing up for what he believes is right within the community and advocating for a sustainable environment.

Zac, you are my Captain Planet.

You will change our world!