Over 50 passionate locals turned up at a wet and windy Kibble Park on Friday, March 25, to demand governments take action on climate change.
The Central Coast School Strike4 Climate’s (SS4C) event forms part of the global movement from students to insist countries move towards a 100 per cent renewable energy generation by 2030.
The event featured speeches from students and activists before participants prepared to march through the streets of Gosford.
In a display of irony, the marchers were rained off only a few minutes into the walk with the group taking shelter under the NDIS building.
Member of the Central Coast SS4C, Ethan Hill, said the group was pleased with the turnout considering it was their first action since the second COVID-19 lockdown.
The aims for Friday’s event included School Strike 4 Climate’s demands [of] stopping all new coal, oil, and gas projects, including the Adani mine in Queensland, [a] transition to 100 per cent renewable energy generation and exports by the year 2030, [and] funding [for] a just transition for all of the workers in the fossil fuel industry in Australia,” Hill said.
“Another aim for Friday’s event was to ask people to vote for parties that prioritise climate action in the upcoming election.
“As school students, we cannot yet vote, but we ask current generations to ‘Vote For Our Future’.
“It is always important that we continue to put pressure on our government and leaders to achieve climate justice and sustainability.”
With the Federal Election looming in May, Hill said the SSC4 is watching closely and would like local candidates and parties to commit towards a comprehensive transition to renewables.
“We are looking for genuine plans that fit our demands, transition Australia to renewable energy sources and continue to put sustainability at their core, as there are no jobs on a dead planet,” Hill said.
“And I remind political parties that thousands of young people have turned 18 since our movement began in early 2019, meaning more in-tune teenagers will be voting for climate action.”
Maisy Rae
Parents and teachers encouraging impressionable children to view climate change through a one dimensional lens are doing a disservice to their mental development. Let kids be kids. They can make up their minds when they have more facts and experience.