Grace Mahon fears climate change inaction will destroy many people's way of life.
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The 19-year-old "lover of nature" though is prepared to fight for a healthier planet.
She wants to continue enjoy swimming in the ocean and running marathons along the bush trails in Jervis Bay. But more importantly the University of Wollongong student wants world leaders to protect reefs from further damage.
That's why she joined fellow UOW students Benjamin Hamill and Sarah Vogel in contributing solutions to the Australian Youth Statement.
Australian coordinators presented this climate change report at Glasgow's 16th United Nations Climate Change Conference of Youth (COY16), the youth precursor event to the 26th United Nations Conference of Parties (COP26).
Miss Mahon agreed wholeheartedly with the opening words of the Australian Youth Statement which said the young people of Australia will inherit the world left by the decisions made today.
"We believe young people are not only victims of climate change but critical contributors to climate action. We are agents of change, innovators and educators. It is our role to influence global decision-makers and ensure accountability so that future generations can prosper," the statement read.
Miss Mahon also called on the Australian government to put net-zero emissions target into legislation and to recognise the role of universities in tackling the 'climate emergency'.
"There was a real lack of detail in the Australian government's proposed [net-zero emissions by 2050] plan. It did seem a little bit performative for the COP26 and there is not enough information there in terms of interim targets and how it will play out in the future," Miss Mahon said.
She hoped world leaders would be "more bold" in Glasgow and add emissions targets, adding the last Paris conference only secured a temperature target.
"I'd like to see countries commit to that and I'd also like to see a renewed commitment for climate financing to developing countries.
"I also think the leaders need to put a bit of pressure on Australia to elaborate on the details of their plan and how they are going to get to net zero by 2050 without reducing their interim targets."
These calls come after Mahon and Hamill consulted with more than 2500 people in the community - students, academics and local citizens and policymakers - to formulate a Youth Climate Statement (PDF), a set of climate change commitments of the university, as well as demands on a local, national and global level.
Their five-point manifesto, which was endorsed by 3600 people, commits UOW to carbon neutrality by 2030, with the university's efforts in meeting this target led by Professor Timothy McCarthy, Director of Sustainable Buildings Research Centre, and UOW's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Patricia M. Davidson.
The statement lists changes around sustainable transport to and from the university and effective energy management as some of the most important goals to be achieved.
Even though both are adamant that the road to reducing emissions in Australia will be rocky, Miss Mahon and Mr Hamill stay cautiously optimistic.
"I know that our voices really can make a huge difference and lead to a renewed commitment for a healthier planet. I believe that the net-zero-by-2050 target should be in legislation since, without any requirement to legally-bind future governments to it, there is no credibility to the plan," she said.
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Agron Latifi
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
