Opened the debate
Zappia argued that climate change is being neglected due to immediate concerns like housing and global conflicts, with polling showing only five per cent of voters listing it as their top issue in 2026 compared to nearly 30 per cent in 2022. Zappia stated that Australia remains the third-largest fossil-fuel exporter while global temperatures are predicted to rise between 1.3 and 1.9 degrees centigrade above preindustrial levels within five years. Zappia highlighted recent extreme weather events, including 150 million hectares burned globally in early 2026, as evidence of escalating climate impacts. Zappia contended that opposition parties are hindering the transition to electric vehicles and renewable energy, thereby prolonging reliance on fossil fuels. Zappia emphasised that younger generations are demanding meaningful long-term adaptation policies rather than mere rhetoric.