EDITORIAL | Gen Y has been labelled many things - a quick google search turned up articles labelling us "selfish narcissists", "lazy", "all the gear and no idea" and many other derogatory things.

But these people have not met those I have, they have not felt the energy that Gen Y emits and they certainly didn't attend the Australian Youth Climate Coalition's PowerShift 2011 event in Brisbane - where the above video was shot.

In March this year The Age ran a story that said 'Generation Y was a bunch of selfish narcissists'.

Yet the week before, Time magazine's cover story told us that it was Gen Y selflessly facing down guns, bullets and tanks and using Twitter to bring a brighter vision to North Africa and the Middle East

So which of the above is truer of Gen Y?

I don't think you need to look very far to see clear examples of both, but it is clear to me that those Gen Y'ers who are super educated, tech savvy and passionate activists will be the ones who change the world and repair the damage they have inherited. 

During PowerShift, as I listened to Dick Smith urging young people to speak out against what Gen X and Baby Boomers had done to the world, I couldn't help but feel those generations before Gen Y were the "lazy", "selfish narcissists" who raped and pillaged this earth to the detriment of their children and grandchildren.

It is difficult to go against the ‘norm’ and do something today for the benefit of those tomorrow – especially if it means jeopardising the human thirst for money.

But Gen Y is the generation that I believe will do this – they can see the future their children will face if they do nothing and they are mobilising for change.

The critical mass needed to bring about real and lasting change is building and in recent years there has been immense growth in support for issues such as climate action, alleviation of poverty and freedom from dictatorial governments.

While it would be easier for Gen Y to sit on their hands and wait for someone else to do it – like most generations before it – there is now, and only now, all the ingredients I believe the world needs to create real and lasting change that will transform our future to one of happiness and togetherness.

Now, when mentioning ‘those generations before us’, I would like to make mention that I do not mean every person and while I was not alive I acknowledge the 60’s movement and all those who have dedicated their lives for the betterment of others.

When we look at what it takes to create real and lasting change and why the world has been unable to break away from the mould of destruction and greed, I believe the most difficult thing throughout history has been to unite those who are passionate enough to create this alternate future.

But, enter the age of Facebook, Twitter and mobile technologies – 24-hour access to anyone, anywhere, and the ability to share what you are seeing or feeling with the world, all at the click of a button.

The reason Gen Y is more educated, passionate and mobilised to create a better world than those before it is because they are able to come together (online) and share this vision of the future that so many so badly want.

I would argue that real and lasting global change has not been possible until now, quite simply because there was no real way to communicate with everyone at the same time, meaning there was no way to bring humanity together to solve the issues we all face – ie peace, environmental destruction and poverty.

Regardless of whether you believe the 97 per cent of scientists who agree human beings are causing climate change, taking climate action necessary to reverse or halt the affects of it will take a united world front.

It will be the issue that decides our future prosperity as humanity, and I believe if we can overcome this, by coming together for the benefit of the future inhabitants of this planet, then we can achieve anything.

Thank you and as a great change-maker once said “be the change you want to see in the world”.