The voting age should be lowered to 16 to give young people a voice on their future in the face of environmental breakdown, a British think tank has urged.
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IPPR says future generations are facing a "toxic inheritance" of environmental crises caused by climate change, the loss of wildlife and damage to the oceans and soils.
The report says 16 year olds should have the vote because they will face the consequences of what older generations are doing to the world.
It also calls for a "Future Generations Act" which would provide a legal recognition of the right of future generations to live in a world with a stable environment, and make sure policy-making takes that into account.
The think tank says younger and future generations will have to use far smaller quantities of resources over their lifetimes than previous generations, build sustainable economic models and cope with issues such as high food prices.
The report comes ahead of global climate strikes on Friday, when children and students in countries across the world are set to walk out of lessons and lectures to call for urgent action from politicians to tackle the climate and wildlife crises.
Meanwhile Amnesty International has presented Swedish teen climate activist Greta Thunberg and her school strike movement with its annual Ambassador of Conscience award, citing her "unique leadership and courage in standing up for human rights."
Thunberg told the audience in New York, the award is for "all these fearless youth fighting for their future".
The 16-year-old also urged children and adults to join the global climate strike on September 20, saying "see you on the streets."
Australian Associated Press
