Meet Maya
My name’s Maya. I grew up in Sawtell, on the northern coast of NSW on Gumbaynggirr Country, and I’m now studying science in Melbourne.
I’ve been involved in climate advocacy since I was 16 because of my disappointment in my government’s lack of ambitious climate action.
My dad spent his 20s travelling the world … But how much of that is still going to be there for me to see?
My high school life was punctuated by a series of natural disasters in my region, such as the Black Summer bushfires and supercell hailstorms that wrought extensive damage.
I channeled my frustration and anxiety into action by joining youth and student climate campaigns.
I have lobbied politicians in Canberra, organised fundraising concerts and I even went to COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan – which was life changing.
Climate change is terrifying. But losing hope is not an option. That is how I find the motivation to continue advocating for climate justice.
It’s a cliché, but we genuinely do only have one planet.
