At the age of 18, Leila Mangos of Point Frederick has already made her mark as a sustainability activist.
Ahead of the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), which begins in Glasgow on October 31, she has joined with four other young Australians to lodge human rights complaints with the UN over the Australian Government’s failure to act to meaningfully to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
They make the case that the Government’s globally-criticised 2030 emissions reduction target fails to uphold the human rights of every young person in Australia, particularly those at serious risk including young First Nations people and people with disabilities.
The young people share their hopes for a safe future where they have equal opportunities, can enjoy good health, and can fully practise their culture.
They also outline their jarring personal experiences of extreme weather events, acute mental health risks, and their fears for their future and the future of the people and country they love.
The complaint also includes detailed research and evidence of these harms, including from First Nations and disability researchers, as well the landmark Sharma and Ors v Minister for the Environment case that underscore the harrowing physical and mental toll that government inaction on climate change will have on all young people.
The group, represented by lawyers from Environmental Justice Australia (EJA), is calling on the UN Special Rapporteurs to make urgent inquiries with the Australian government about its inaction on the climate crisis and subsequent failure to meet its international human rights obligations to young people.
Mangos said she and her fellow complainants were fighting for the future of their generation and every generation to come after them.
“I have struggled with depression and anxiety brought on by the knowledge that without action by our governments, the planet I live on has an expiry date,” she said.
“By 2030, I will only be 26; my life will have barely begun.
“Those who should be responsible for climate action – our world leaders – pass the responsibility down to us, the generation who can do nothing about it.”
Mangos has been outspoken on the issue of climate change from an early age.
“The first time I remember feeling outraged at human treatment of our planet was when I was about 10 and learnt for the first time about the hole in the ozone layer,” she said.
“I remember a feeling of shock.
“I learnt more about how dire the situation is and why climate justice is so crucial to our entire future.”
Mangos became involved with the Fridays for Future international climate movement.
“There are around 500 of us across Australia trying to create actions on climate justice,” she said.
Mangos is also one of 12 young people on this year’s NSW Youth Advisory Council, which plays an important role in advising the State Government on issues that are relevant to young people across the state.
Each June young people aged 12-24 are appointed to the Council by Cabinet for one year to advise on all issues concerning youth.
“I am finding it really valuable to talk to politicians and to other young people,” she said.
“Right now we are formulating what we want to achieve this year; it’s a bit of a process.
“I have been applying to be on the Council since I was 12 years old.
“After being shortlisted three or four times, I finally made it.
“I am not a climate expert, but I am aware that our goal for 2030 is not in accord with the Paris agreement.
“It’s not adequate and we are not making headway.”
Mangos said her main focus was to see a change to renewable energy ahead of 2050, adhering to climate science and First Nations advice.
The year 12 student, who will sit her HSC this year through Loreto Normanhurst, said her ambitions beyond high school were to be in a position where she can influence change in the world.
“Whether this looks like politics or artistic activism, I’m not yet sure,” she said.
“But I’ve always felt acutely aware of our social and environmental injustices and I hope to help create the future in which our society is sustainable, progressive and empathetic.”
Terry Collins