In a bold and unprecedented step, a group of young Australians have filed a human rights complaint against the Australian Government with the United Nations. The youth-led initiative, spearheaded by Generation Justice, challenges climate inaction as a violation of fundamental human rights. Among the passionate voices leading this effort is Maya Farmer, a youth climate advocate who believes climate change is no longer a distant threat, instead already shaping lives. “It’s not just something we learn in school or hear about on the news,” said Maya. “It’s happening right now, and it’s affecting young Australians.”

A Turning Point on a Hail-Drenched Bus

Maya’s advocacy journey began during a severe hailstorm while she was in Year 10. As roads flooded and public transport stalled, she sat quietly on a crowded bus, observing the chaos.

“I remember sitting on that bus and thinking this is climate change,” she said. “That was my lightbulb moment.” That incident marked her transition from a concerned student to a dedicated climate advocate. What followed were years of grassroots activism, public mobilisation, and a growing sense of frustration with government inaction.

Climate Anxiety: A Growing Crisis

As Maya became more involved in advocacy, she began encountering a common thread—climate anxiety among young people. Her role in a youth advisory group at the University of Sydney, which explored youth climate distress, solidified her belief that emotional and psychological impacts of climate change must be acknowledged.

“Climate anxiety is such a big issue, especially among young people,” she explained. “But it faces a double stigma around climate change and mental health. People think we’re exaggerating, but it’s real.” Maya believes the emotional burden many young people carry is often dismissed, yet it plays a significant role in fuelling their drive for action.

Turning Disillusionment into Legal Action

This growing disillusionment was one of the main reasons behind Generation Justice’s complaint to the UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change. With legal backing from Environmental Justice Australia, the group filed what is believed to be the first youth-led climate human rights complaint against the federal government.

“The science is no longer a barrier. What’s lacking is the policy and political will,” Maya said. “Our government keeps making promises and breaking them. We’re tired of empty words.” The complaint highlights violations of several human rights, including the right to life, health, culture, and a safe environment particularly for First Nations communities, children, and people with disabilities.

“First Nations justice and climate justice are so intertwined it’s impossible to talk about one without the other,” Maya emphasised.

Inclusion at the Core

A key strength of Generation Justice, according to Maya, is its diversity. The group is composed of young people from rural communities, people of colour, those with disabilities, and neurodiverse individuals.

“We represent a variety of marginalised communities, and that’s what gives our complaint real strength,” she said.

Maya is particularly passionate about ensuring that communities most affected by climate change yet least responsible for it are the ones centred in advocacy efforts.

Challenges of Being Young and Serious

Despite the strength of their message, Maya admits the group has faced challenges being taken seriously due to their age.

“Just because we’re young doesn’t mean the issues we raise aren’t valid,” she said. “People still tend to take you more seriously if you come from a traditional top-down institution rather than grassroots.” Still, with strong legal guidance and unshakable conviction, the group moved forward. The formal complaint process involved gathering personal statements, completing legal documentation, and submitting it to the UN. They are now awaiting a response from the Special Rapporteur.

“No government wants to be seen as violating young people’s human rights,” Maya said. “That’s where the real leverage is.”

From Streets to International Summits

Maya’s activism roots are in grassroots organising, including the School Strike for Climate and the Australian Youth Climate Coalition. But in 2023, she took her work to the global stage, representing Australian youth at COP29 in Baku as part of the Australian Youth for International Climate Engagement (AYFICE) delegation.

“It was incredible to sit in on climate negotiations, watching policy being shaped word by word,” she said. “But also frustrating. Young people are present but rarely included in decision-making.” This experience deepened her awareness of the global nature of climate governance and the exclusion of youth from formal power structures.

Looking Ahead: What Change Looks Like

So what does Maya hope the UN complaint will achieve?

“We’re pushing for immediate, meaningful, and ambitious climate action,” she said. “We want the UN to hold our government accountable for failing to protect our basic rights.” She also hopes the complaint creates broader awareness around the human rights dimension of climate change and empowers more young people to speak up.

“If young people realise their voices matter, it changes everything. That’s where change starts.”

A Final Message to Youth

As our conversation closed, Maya had one message for young people around the world:

“Your voice matters. Your experiences matter. You matter,” she said. “If every young person spoke up about climate change that’s a lot of people. And that’s how change happens.”