Recently it was reported that the mosaic-tailed rat, Melomys rubicola, which lived only on a tiny island in the Torres Strait, has been officially declared extinct. It is believed that its habitat was temporarily submerged due to rising sea levels. As a result, it may well be the first mammal to become extinct as a direct result of anthropogenic climate change.

This Friday I will be attending the School Strike for Climate in Sydney. I feel both honoured and duty bound to offer my support to the students striking around Australia, in all capital cities and many regional centres, as they call for action to address climate change. The Australian students are inspired by the efforts of the Swedish teenager Greta Thunberg, who has campaigned since August last year for the Swedish Government to meet its commitments under the Paris Agreement. Similar movements have been inspired around the world.

Students at last year's school strike at Martin Place in Sydney. Credit:Nick Moir

In 2007, a soon-to-be prime minister described climate change as “the greatest moral, economic and social challenge of our time”. There seemed to be few voices raised against this sentiment at the time. However, during the ensuing 12 years, successive Australian governments have conspicuously failed to meaningfully address this challenge, succumbing to the power of vested interests, want of courage and political expediency. Our younger citizens represented by the strikers are rightly and justifiably appalled at the lack of action. It is no wonder that they feel a need to take matters into their own hands and demand action from the leaders of today. The issue cannot wait until these impressive young people have their turn at running the country.

We of older generations have only ourselves to blame that the issue has reached the point where