This is our home. We know what is at stake. We know the plant and animal species which face extinction, we know the people who stand to lose their homes to rising sea levels and increasingly extreme weather, we know what our children and grandchildren stand to lose. It feels distant, it feels like it doesn't affect our lives, it feels like we're powerless to change our future. But we are the generations who will have to address climate change.

The Paris Agreement marked our first step toward action on climate change, America's withdrawal opens the possibility of more countries weakening or withdrawing their commitment and marks the possibility of another two decades of inaction from our world leaders. To send a defiant message to America, and set a strong example for the world, Australia should increase its emissions reduction target.