Cheek Media Co.

A Child Born Today Is Already in Debt.

A Deloitte report released in March 2026 warns that Australian 16‑year‑olds will inherit a climate‑related debt of about $185,000 Australian dollars – roughly $122,000 U.S. dollars – over their lifetimes. The cost stems from projected expenses tied to extreme weather, health impacts and infrastructure repairs caused by government inaction on emissions. Advocates argue that a legislated Duty of Care could cut that liability by up to half, but current policies continue to extend coal and gas projects through 2070. The article calls on leaders to act now to prevent a generation from being born into debt.