There is a war on waste being waged in Launceston.
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On Friday, we saw hundreds of Launceston school students skip school to rally for the planet during the school strike for climate change rally.
They joined thousands of their peers at similar events across the country to stand up to our political leaders and demand their voices be heard.
This year, as in previous years, there has been criticism of the school students for leaving their 'air-conditioned classrooms' to strike. However, this week, two Northern Tasmanian councils will take motions to their respective council peers to discuss similar policies brought on by climate change - to investigate how to reduce or phase out single-use plastics in their municipalities.
The motions, at the City of Launceston, and Break-O'Day councils, are not so dissimilar to the students' plight - both parties were exercising their democratic right to voice their opinion.
Albeit, the councils have more power and more sway to enact change, than several hundred school children who are unable to vote, nor do they sit in positions of power.
The tides are changing and the community is beginning to listen - all you need to do is look around and see the increased number of 'keep cups' for coffee, or other beverages, are around.
In addition, there is an increased number of reusable items being bought and sold for consumers, from nappies to grocery bags.
Waste is everyone's problem, from the individual to groups of people; from an individual council to the federal government.
It is a global issue, and one that we will need to work together, united, as the entire world to bring about any sustained change.
As with any social and economic issue we have faced before, it will not be easy - no one said that it would be.
But future generations of our children, and their children, depend on leadership on this issue. The action is what causes the reaction, and discussion is what starts the ball rolling towards growth. Let's hope there is a constructive discussion around the council tables in Launceston and Break O'Day this week.