Our expert legal team is representing Lily and other brave young people in their landmark human rights case against Clive Palmer’s Galilee Coal Project. This is her story.
When 19-year-old Lily’s house on the Sunshine Coast was impacted by last year’s devastating bushfires, she knew the climate emergency she’d been fearing was already upon us.
“I just remember sitting on the couch feeling shock. All I wanted to do was cry, thinking we’re going to lose the house”
Now Lily is one of the brave young people in Youth Verdict heading to court to challenge Clive Palmer’s Galilee Coal Project – a massive thermal coal mine which would fuel catastrophic climate change and increase the risk of bushfires like the one her family experienced.
Send Lily a message of support today
You can back Youth Verdict members like Lily who are taking Clive Palmer’s Waratah Coal to court.
Send a message of support using the form on this page, or text it to 0439 439 791 with your email address.
WATCH: Lily’s climate story
Read more about this landmark case
Meet Some Members of Youth Verdict
Youth Verdict is a new organisation dedicated to using the law to fight for youth justice. All under the age of 30 – some as young as 13 – this diverse group of Indigenous and non-Indigenous young people hail from right across Queensland, from the Gold Coast in the south and the farming region of Stanthorpe and the tropical north.
The members of Youth Verdict have one thing in common; they stand to be most affected by climate change fuelled by the coal we burn today.
On their behalf, EDO lawyers will argue the Galilee Coal Project would cause a breach of their human rights by fuelling dangerous climate change that puts their futures, their lives, and their cultures at risk.
“I grew up on a beef station in Central Queensland, living through the devastating impacts of the Millennium Drought. I’m scared of a future where natural disasters grow in intensity and severity.”
– Mel, Brisbane
“I worry about the disconnect of people to Country because of climate change. Children won’t have Country to connect with in the same way, and the stories that we tell won’t be something that they are experiencing.”
– Libby + Lola, Quandamooka Country
“Climate change makes me feel scared for my future. We are starting to really feel it.
As a member of the Islamic community I see there is a lot of work being done to bring awareness to the environment.”
– Lujayn, Brisbane
“Last year, my Mum’s house was affected by the bushfires. It was horrifying to see such an extreme, unprecedented disaster in the beautiful place I grew up, and caused me severe climate anxiety.”
– Lily, Sunshine Coast
“I first became really concerned about climate change when I was six. I saw a documentary about how climate change is destroying the Great Barrier Reef and I burst into tears. I wrote a letter to the Prime Minister urging him to do something.”
– Zarah, Maleny
“Farmers in Queensland have battled climate impacts like drought, water scarcity and bushfires. My town ran out of water and my family had to rely on water relief charities to get through.”
– Brianna, Stanthorpe
“I grew up in the slums of India where my parents were social and development workers so am deeply concerned about the impacts of climate change on people already doing it tough.”
– Oscar, Brisbane
“My mother’s family is from the South Pacific Island of Banaba, we have lost our connection to our culture there due to mining. The same is happening to First Nations peoples in Queensland.”
– Uma, Gold Coast
“There’s a total lack of racial justice when it comes to climate change. Protecting the land should not be the burden of the oppressed.”
– Dane, Brisbane
“When Townsville experienced a one in a hundred year flooding event, I was shocked to see what happened. The flood water just kept coming… Human rights to me is about quality of life. Knowing that we will be safe. “
– Billie, Townsville
I grew up on a beef station in Central Queensland, living through the devastating impacts of the Millennium Drought. I’m scared of a future where natural disasters grow in intensity and severity.”
– Mel, Brisbane
“I worry about the disconnect of people to Country because of climate change. Children won’t have Country to connect with in the same way, and the stories that we tell won’t be something that they are experiencing.”
– Libby + Lola, Quandamooka Country
“Climate change makes me feel scared for my future. We are starting to really feel it.
As a member of the Islamic community I see there is a lot of work being done to bring awareness to the environment.”
– Lujayn, Brisbane
“Last year, my Mum’s house was affected by the bushfires. It was horrifying to see such an extreme, unprecedented disaster in the beautiful place I grew up, and caused me severe climate anxiety.”
– Lily, Sunshine Coast
“I first became really concerned about climate change when I was six. I saw a documentary about how climate change is destroying the Great Barrier Reef and I burst into tears. I wrote a letter to the Prime Minister urging him to do something.”
– Zarah, Maleny
“Farmers in Queensland have battled climate impacts like drought, water scarcity and bushfires. My town ran out of water and my family had to rely on water relief charities to get through.”
– Brianna, Stanthorpe
“I grew up in the slums of India where my parents were social and development workers so am deeply concerned about the impacts of climate change on people already doing it tough.”
– Oscar, Brisbane
“My mother’s family is from the South Pacific Island of Banaba, we have lost our connection to our culture there due to mining. The same is happening to First Nations peoples in Queensland.”
– Uma, Gold Coast
“There’s a total lack of racial justice when it comes to climate change. Protecting the land should not be the burden of the oppressed.”
– Dane, Brisbane
“When Townsville experienced a one in a hundred year flooding event, I was shocked to see what happened. The flood water just kept coming… Human rights to me is about quality of life. Knowing that we will be safe. “
– Billie, Townsville
