Thousands of school pupils took to the streets today in protest about a lack of action on climate change. They had also protested on 15 March but that was overshadowed by the Christchurch mass shooting.
It’s good to see teenagers prepared to speak up about issues that are important to them, and to many, climate change inaction is of extreme importance and urgency.
RNZ: Thousands of children across New Zealand turn out for climate change strikes
The second round of climate change strikes have been taking place today with thousands of school and tertiary students around Aotearoa skipping classes to take part.
Around 1000 turn out in Auckland
The Auckland Schools Strike for Climate wrapped up after 1000 students lay down on Queen St in protest with students from at least 20 schools taking part.
They were chanting and holding signs, and with police escorts, shut down entire blocks of Queen St as they lay down, and chanted “Wake Up”.
Wellington students call for declaration of climate change emergency
In Wellington, student leaders at the school strike for climate have urged the government to toughen up its zero carbon bill.
Thousands of students marched from Civic Square, through downtown Wellington to Parliament in Wellington, where they urged MPs to move the goal for net zero carbon emissions from 2050 to 2040.
They also called for Parliament to declare a climate emergency.
Strike leaders told the rally the world is in an emergency and political leaders need to act.
Christchurch students also turn out after 15 March strike cut short
More than 200 students and parents gathered in Christchurch, where the first school strike on 15 March was cut short by news of the mosque attacks.
Zahra Husseini said the well-being of the environment is emphasised in her religion.
“It’s very important we look after our nature, our environment because it affects our personal well-being as well in our community.”
‘Our education won’t mean anything … if the world is in flames’ – Nelson student
In Nelson, hundreds of students from schools throughout Nelson and Tasman marched down the main street.
A large crowd gathered on the Church Steps, before the students chanted their way along Trafalgar Street, attracting huge support from onlookers.
Stuff: Kiwi school students strike again for urgent action on climate change
Thousands of youngsters nationwide dropped pens for placards on Friday, calling for urgent action on climate change for the second time.
In Wellington, students gathered in Wellington’s Te Ngākau, Civic Square, before marching through the streets to Parliament.
The crowds shouted “no more coal, no more oil, keep your carbon in the soil”, calling for “climate justice” and drastic action by political leaders to enforce change. Adults shouted support to protesters as they bee-lined toward the Beehive.
Stuff – Hear our voice: Waikato and Coromandel students demand climate change action
In Hamilton, about 300 students converged on Civic Square on Friday afternoon to chant slogans, wave banners, and to grill politicians on environmental issues.
In Thames, students called on MPs and the council to take urgent action to address climate change.
Meanwhile, south of Hamilton, the Cambridge Tree Trust put on its own climate strike outside Cambridge Town Hall.
Charlotte Matthews, nine, took the day off school to support the protest and said politicians need to treat climate change as an emergency.
ODT:
School pupils and students marched along George St in Dunedin today, as part of strike action aimed at sending a message to New Zealand politicians about the urgency of climate action.
Zedd reports from Dunedin:
just got back, about an hour ago.. about 1000 attendees, mostly school kids, but also; quite a crowd of ‘we older folks too’
whilst they are often seen as ‘all noise’.. at least they are out there making it, as opposed to APATHY !
nga mihi ki a koutou 🙂
Expect this to be ongoing.
