Students strike for climate change
Students have taken to the streets of Australia to protest against climate change.
Students have taken to the streets of Australia to protest against climate change.
The SchoolStrike4Climate initiative was inspired by 15 year-old Swedish student Greta Thunberg. The project involves children aged 5-18 from cities and towns across Australia. They are striking from school to tell politicians to take the future of the planet seriously
The strike, which took place in Sydney on Thursday and Friday, was to encourage the federal government to block construction of the Adani Carmichael coal mine as well as any new coal or gas projects.
The students also are rallying for Australia to run on 100 per cent renewable energy by 2030. Presently, the target is to run on 50 per cent renewable energy by 2030.
The Prime Minister of Australia, Scott Morrison, warned students not to take part in the protests but Senators welcomed the strike, claiming young people will live with the effects of climate change and therefore their voices must be heard in this important debate.
In response, Sydney Strike Organiser Jean Hinchliffe, 14 years old, from Fort Street High, said: “As our Prime Minister chooses to ignore the ever increasing problem of climate change, our generation has decided to step up and fill the void. We thank the Senators who have chosen to stand with young people in Parliament today, and we call on more politicians from all sides of politics to do the same.
This news follows the recent IPCC report which warned of the climate-related risks if immediate action isn’t taken.
Join the cause here.
Photograph: SchoolStrike4Climate