Climate Change and Water Youth Advisory Group

Working partner: Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water 

Members work with the department on:

  • providing advice on the implementation of the National Adaptation Plan to address the impacts of climate change
  • identifying and addressing key areas of climate risk for young people that are meaningful
  • providing views and perspectives to support the Implementation of a future National Water Agreement.

Members

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Image of Amy smiling at the camera with long straight hair wearing a collared shirt.
Amy from
New South Wales

Amy’s passion for the environment stems from her upbringing in the Agricultural industry in regional and remote areas of Australia where she has witnessed first-hand the impacts of climate change.

Amy has a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture Science and Business and is currently pursuing a Master of Financial Analysis. Amy also serves on the NSW Red Cross Youth Advisory Board, is Chief Financial Officer of United Nations Youth Australia and a board director of Future Farmers Network.

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Image of Cyan smiling with short hair wearing a collared business shirt.
Cyan from the
Australian Capital Territory

Cyan is a passionate outdoors enthusiast with a love for sustainable hiking, camping, rock climbing, ski touring, canyoning, and spelunking.

He is currently studying Law and International Relations at the Australian National University and has a deep love for nature and the beauty of our National Parks.

Having experience the trauma of natural disasters firsthand and through the recounts of close friends and family, Cyan is impassioned by the thought of driving impactful, evidence-based change towards sustainable and conservation-based national policies and practices.

Cyan believes that many young people share his existential concern with Australia’s lacklustre environmental track-record and that, through empowering their awareness and voices, we can collectively strive towards responsibility, addressing deforestation, agricultural clearing and overgrazing, mining and urban expansion, and other salient causes of habitat loss, pollution, degradation and ecological decline.

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Image of Denzel smiling with short straight hair, a collared shirt, tie and blazer.
Denzel from
South Australia

Denzel is a passionate leader and advocate, both within his local community and the wider South Australian community. As a prominent representative of South Australia, he serves as a role model for his peers, embodies the values of leadership, integrity, and social responsibility.

He currently serves as the Youth Chairman for South Australia and as the Climate Spokesperson, where he represents youth voices on national platforms. Denzel has worked across multiple fields attending United National General Assembly meetings and inputting his views and perspectives for young Australians.

His dedication to community service earned him recognition as the 2024 City of Adelaide Young Citizen of the Year and Port Adelaide Enfield Young Citizen of the Year. He was also nominated for the prestigious Young Australian of the Year award for South Australia.

Denzel hopes to raise the number of opportunities available to young people, so that they can have a seat at the table with decisions and feel included.

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Image of Isabella smiling with long straight hair wearing a sleeveless top.
Isabella from
Queensland

Isabella recently graduated from High School in Brisbane, having moved from regional NSW in 2016. Her lives experience as having a disability and being neurodivergent have inspired a deep passion for addressing the intersection of disability rights and climate change, owing to the disproportionate impact of climate issues have on individuals with disabilities. Isabella firmly believes that climate action is imperative for creating a more equitable society for all frontline communities.

Isabella has been actively involved in the community as a member for Queensland Youth Strategy engagement group and as an organiser for student-led climate action group in Brisbane, engaging with and working to empower youth who feel disenfranchised.

In joining the Climate Change and Water Youth Advisory Group, Isabella aims to bring intersectional approaches to the forefront of government led climate action, so all youth are adequately represented. Isabella’s other passions include music, researching, and volunteering.

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Image of Jazmin smiling with long straight hair, wearing a t-shirt and a blazer.
Jazmin from
South Australia

Jazmin is a proud Gomeroi woman from Boandik Country. With a deep passion for climate change and social justice, she has dedicated herself to volunteering and advocating for these critical causes. Being a part of the Climate Change and Water Advisory Group is a significant opportunity for Jazmin to make a meaningful impact on the issues that matter most to our environment and communities.

Throughout her journey, Jazmin has engaged with various community initiatives and organizations, striving to raise awareness about the importance of sustainable water management and proactive climate action. Her experiences have given her valuable insights into the challenges we face and the innovative solutions we can pursue to create a more resilient and sustainable future.

In the advisory group, Jazmin is committed to advocating for policies that promote environmental stewardship and climate resilience. Jazmin is excited to work alongside like-minded individuals to support cutting-edge research and foster collaboration between diverse stakeholders. Together, we can drive positive change and empower communities to take action.

She is eager to learn, connect with others, and contribute to our shared mission of ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come. By participating in this advisory group, she hopes to gain valuable insights, build meaningful relationships, and make a real difference in creating a resilient and thriving environments for all.

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Image of Lottie smiling with shoulder length curly hair, wearing spectacles, a sleeveless top and a necklace with a pendant.
Lottie from
Tasmania

Lottie is a year 11 student from Hobart, Tasmania. She is currently studying Mathematics, Environmental Science, Music, Art and Outdoor Education. Lottie’s passion for conservation and environmental protection stems from her appreciation and connection to the natural beauty surrounding her.

Lottie is passionate about environmental sustainability and the role of innovation in creating a greener future. Lottie is particularly interested in exploring how technology can be used to address environmental challenges in the future. She hopes for a greener tomorrow and believes that this can only be achieved by sharing perspectives, ideas and opinions with others.

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Image of Mia smiling with long straight hair and wearing a long sleeved top.
Mia from
Western Australia

Mia is studying political and international studies, with an additional major in Screen Production. Iin high school, she participated in her schools Bush Ranger Cadet Unit, which ignited her passion in environmental related community service and creating positive change within her community.

She joined the Western Australian Youth Ministerial Council (2023/2024) and achieved the ADF Long Tn Leadership and Teamwork award in high school.

She truly believes the way to positive change is through collaboration, teamwork and empathy, and she aims to contribute these attributes to the group. Mia has seen firsthand the effects of Climate Change on the environment and hope to find ways that allow people and wildlife alike, to sustainably adapt to the changes we are faced with in our future.

Mia’s other interested include singing, films, going to the beach and travelling.

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Image of Sunny smiling wearing a turban, collared shirt, tie and blazer.
Sarbjeet (Sunny) from
Victoria

Sarbjeet (Sunny) is a Graduate Engineer specialising in Environmental Engineering. He currently works with local government in regional Victoria, where he collaborates with engineers, community members, and government organisations to develop catchment management strategies that shape how we manage our water, beaches, and natural environment.

A passionate advocate for sustainability and youth empowerment, Sarbjeet has earned prestigious accolades such as the Premier’s Victorian International Student of the Year and the Geelong Youth Award.

His inspiring work and leadership have been featured in media organisations including The Australian Financial Review, Herald Sun, and SBS.

As an Office Bearer for Young Engineers Australia Victoria, Sarbjeet promotes careers in Clean Energy and Sustainable Engineering while advancing the professional growth of young engineers. As a frequent speaker at conferences, he continues to lead impactful initiatives that drive environmental progress and empower future leaders.

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Image of Semisi smiling with short hair wearing a collared shirt.
Semisi from
Queensland

Semisi is currently in his final year of secondary school, living with his family in Meanjin (Brisbane), Queensland. His identity as a Pacific Islander from the neighbouring island of Tonga grounds him in his advocacy for climate justice, particularly for vulnerable Pacific Islands and Indigenous communities on the frontlines of climate change.

Semisi is passionate about creating culturally safe and sensitive approaches to policy. Within this group, Semisi hopes to bring his lived experience and traditional knowledge within the Pacific to build climate resilient communities here in Australia.

Semisi’s advocacy has always been on empowering our young people to have ownership over their stories, emphasising the opportunity in which young people can play in shifting the climate narrative.