Video from the Guardian "What we want is more learning in schools and less activism in schools', prime minister Scott Morrison yells after being asked a question about school students participating in a climate change strike. Greens MP Adam Bandt asked if the PM would 'listen to these kids, who are demanding your government to keep coal in the ground?' Morrison's response was that they should stay in school and leave politics to those 'outside of school' School students protesting climate change arrived in Canberra yesterday after the prime minister told them to be less activist and go back to school.
The Guardian reported that hundreds of students lined up outside Parliament House on Wednesday wanting to speak to Scott Morrison and government ministers about taking emergency action against climate change.
On Tuesday, the Senate approved a motion to support the students in their decision to strike from school and hold a series of planned national protests. As thousands of students prepared to strike from school for climate action this week, the Australian Senate passed a motion in support of the student strikers who are calling for a national policy to tackle dangerous climate change. 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. “As young people we’re already seeing the devastating impacts of climate change and will be forced to endure the consequences of our government’s inaction. We need all politicians & any future government to take the action scientists tell us we need - that means a commitment to stop Adani’s coal mine and a plan to transition away from all fossil fuels to to 100% renewable energy by 2030.
Students across the country including Bega have taken to Social media to promote their message.
Danya Thompson has established the Bega school strike 4 climate picnic and rally Event Page and encourages those in the Bega region to "come along and join my daughter and her friends to help protect their future, from the consequences of climate change. " Danya says "My daughter is 11 years old and cares passionately for this world and wants to create a positive future for all. She has co-created this event with her 10 year old friend and is supported by other friends too. There are dozens of strikes planned around Australia including the Whitsundays, Perth, Hobart, Adelaide, Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney. "Locally, young people are invited to strike from school for the day or part thereof, and gather at Littleton gardens in Bega, to let politicians know that they need to start treating climate change for what it is -- a crisis -- and for them to act to stop more damage, and therefore create a positive future for all."
