Election 2019 is in its final week – and for many people that will be a relief.

Many voters have switched off from politics and been disengaged from the campaigning, which may be one reason why almost 2 million people have already voted.

But beyond the usual photo set-ups and faux outrage during the campaign, an issue of fundamental importance has gained greater prominence across the nation: climate change.

Few mainstream politicians in Australia deny that climate change is real. Credit:Jessica Shapiro

It has become one of the fastest-rising issues of concern for Australians, as it has in many countries. Just over a week ago, the British parliament became the first in the world to declare a ‘‘climate emergency’’, and students across the globe have protested about the lack of action from all governments.