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Young Australians become 'climate debt collectors' - and they're invoicing Big Polluters for the damage

Dr Shawn Price

Street campaign sees youth hand-deliver climate damage invoices to fossil fuel giants - and the public is getting involved

 

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SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - Wearing hi-vis vests, armed with fake invoices and climate calculators, a group of young Australians are hitting the CBD Tuesday 29 April with one simple message: you break it, you pay for it.

In a provocative street campaign dubbed “The Climate Debt Collectors”, Senate candidate and scientist Dr Shawn Price has teamed up with youth activists to serve symbolic climate compensation notices to Australia’s biggest fossil fuel contributors - including office buildings of companies linked to emissions, lobbying, or political donations.

“Australians are footing the bill for rising energy prices, bushfire rebuilds, insurance hikes, and mental health crises linked to climate stress,” said Dr Price. “This stunt makes it tangible - someone is paying, and it’s not the companies causing the damage.”

Invoices for the future

The faux invoices - printed on carbon-neutral paper and stamped “CLIMATE DEBT: OVERDUE” - break down real-world costs using public data from CSIRO, Deloitte, and the Climate Council. They include estimated:

- Home insurance increases due to extreme weather
- Public health burdens linked to heatwaves and air pollution
- Rebuild costs for flooded schools and bushfire-hit communities
- Mental health toll on young Australians facing ecological grief

“We wanted to make climate change visible in people’s wallets - because that's where the impact hits hardest,” said campaign volunteer Asha Malik, 23.

Public response filmed for TikTok + Vice-style mini doc

The team filmed street interactions and passerby responses for a short social documentary titled:
"Climate Collectors: We’re Just Here to Send the Bill."
Set to drop on TikTok and YouTube later this week, the mini doc captures a mix of surprise, support, and heated debate - all against the backdrop of corporate towers and climate-linked anxiety.

A campaign built on accountability, not politics

Dr Shawn Price is running as an independent candidate for a world-first 77th Senate seat, focused on representing future generations and planetary well-being. A PhD scientist in biotechnology, he’s pushing for bolder climate action, ethical tech regulation, and future-focused governance - without ties to party donors or lobbyists.

“This isn’t about gimmicks. It’s about accountability. The system has protected polluters for decades. Young Australians are tired of being the clean-up crew for climate chaos.”

Key Facts:

Dr Shawn Price is an educator, scientist, engineer and Army Reservist. 

He's going to redirect 50% of his senate paycheck to future related causes during htis cost of living crisis. 

About us:

Dr Shawn Price's senate campaign is built on six bold pledges - from affordable housing and climate action to AI, pandemic preparedness and a 'seat for humanity' in Parliament. With a vision to transform Australia into a global leader.

Contact details:

Media availability

Dr Price is available for interviews in Sydney or via Zoom for domestic and international media.
High-resolution images, policy backgrounders, and campaign materials available upon request.

Media Contact:
Andrew Mula
0416319691
[email protected]
Website: www.drshawnprice.com