Aussie Kids Have Walked Out Of Their Classrooms For Climate Change Protest

Thousands of school kids closed their textbooks today (May 21) and took to the streets for climate change protests.

The School Strike 4 Climate, which was originally created by Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, kicked off in all parts of Australia, including regional towns and capital cities.

It saw loads of school kids, teachers and parents and guardians either march on roads or simply gather in one area to demand better governmental action on climate change.

Erin Shutter was one of the protestors who gathered in Brisbane's King George Square and she's hoping today's demonstration will be one of many.

"We lost a lot of momentum last year with COVID-19 so we're just trying to build it back up again," she told the ABC.

In Hobart, the protest reached its legal capacity of 1,000 people for a public gathering, showing Tasmania is particularly passionate about climate change and the environment.

Another activist in South Australia told the national broadcaster: "We're here to demand action from a government that's been ignoring us for far too long. We need them to start funding our future and not gas.

"I think Australia as a whole is in one of the best positions to invest in the sustainable solutions and ensuring a just transition for all workers in the sector."

There were calls for the federal government to move away from its natural gas and coal projects and instead focus and invest in renewable and clean energy.

Protestors also begged for more First Nations-led projects to protect the environment.

The federal government has come under fire for recently announcing a $600 million gas-fired power station in the New South Wales Hunter Valley.

Energy Minister Angus Taylor told ABC radio earlier this week that the plant was necessary to plug the gaps that will be made when AGL's Liddell coal-fired power station closes in 2023.

He said it 'will deliver a return on investment', will cause energy prices to fall for consumers and keep everyone's 'lights on'.

While you might think educators would be against their kids not coming into class, the protests in New South Wales had the backing of the state's Teachers Federation.

There were around 50 separate events planned all around Australia, according to School Strike 4 Climate Australia.

Topics: Australia

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie is a Trending Journalist at LADbible. His first job was as a newsreader and journalist at the award winning Sydney radio station, Macquarie Radio. He was solely responsible for the content broadcast on multiple stations across Australia when the MH17, Germanwings and AirAsia disasters unfolded. Stewart has covered the conflict in Syria for LADbible, interviewing a doctor on the front line, and has contributed to the hugely successful UOKM8 campaign.

@stewartperrie