Younger Tasmanians have a huge part to play in not only slowing down climate change but reversing it.
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That is according to Tasmania's newest Climate Change Minister Roger Jaensch, who took on the portfolio when Premier Peter Gutwein reduced his workload after suffering a health scare in August.
Mr Jaensch said the state had an important role to play in the nation's response to climate change and he hoped the next generations would lead the way.
"We do not need to protect our children from the truth about climate change but instead we need to help them understand why it is happening, so they are equipped and empowered to make a difference," he said.
"Some of the long term projections can be scary but we are in a better position than most in the world to deal with climate change.
"The latest reports from the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) do talk about global warming that we are measuring already and they look at scenarios that show if everyone is doing what they can, we can slow it down and reverse it.
"I think it is important that we are teaching it in schools as young people need to be aware they can be a part of it, that it's something to aim for and something they can be a part of rather than just something that will happen in their lives."
Having only recently been sworn in as the Climate Change Minister, Mr Jaensch hasn't had a chance to discuss the national plan with other state climate change ministers as yet but said Tasmania is in a position to assist with the response.
"I am very new to the portfolio but I will be involved in the next round of discussions with climate change ministers across the country," he said.
"Overall, climate change is real and it is happening and we need to understand that and make a plan to manage it and as a state, we can be a part of slowing it down and reversing it.
"We need all Tasmanians to help meet these challenges.
"This is one of Tasmania's most important roles in the coming decades and I really hope Tasmanians embrace that, particularly the younger ones."
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