The Northern Territory's young Australian of the year is known for his dedication to saving lives through medicine, but he's also now looking to save the planet. 17-year-old Peter Susanto has been selected for the Emerging Climate Leaders program and will be heading to Azerbaijan to participate in the United Nation's climate conference. He's the first from the NT to do so, bringing eyes to Australia's frontier of climate change.
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00:00In 17 short years, Peter Cisanto's built an impressive resume.
00:07From starting med school at 15 to becoming the NT Young Australian of the Year, he's
00:13adding Emerging Climate Leader to his list of accolades.
00:17The entire health system can actually take an active role in fighting against climate
00:23change and in promoting sustainability rather than just a reactive role.
00:27Peter is studying to save lives in the medical field, but also when it comes to the impacts
00:33of climate change.
00:34The increase in temperatures will result in further spread of infectious diseases.
00:40There's also the increase in natural disasters and extreme weather events, which as we know
00:45cause significant loss of life and damages as well.
00:49He's preparing to join hundreds of global climate leaders in Azerbaijan for the next
00:54UN climate conference, COP29.
00:57COPs are where the world makes up its mind about what we're going to do about climate
01:01change and climate change is a vital issue for everyone.
01:05Australia's got a very important role to play.
01:07If we can play a leading role, others will follow.
01:10Peter's the only delegate from the Northern Territory and he says representation matters
01:15as the NT is Australia's frontier when it comes to feeling the effects of climate change.
01:20In the NT we have a lot of natural resources and we have a lot of potential for renewable
01:26energy and that's something that I'm really excited to be talking about.
01:31But recent controversial decisions, including the investments into gas and fracking, have
01:36climate leaders worried about Australia's reputation.
01:40There's a fair bit of cynicism out there when Australia's speaking out of one side of its
01:43mouth saying we're going to do all this and then the other side, but we're going to have
01:46our fossil fuels as well.
01:48That is just not possible.
01:50Heading to the global stage with the eyes of the world watching on.