Australian students plan school strikes to protest against climate inaction

[Mono]

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/nov/07/australian-students-plan-school-strikes-to-protest-against-climate-inaction

Hundreds of students around the country are preparing to strike from school because of what they say is a failure by politicians to recognise climate change as an emergency.
They’ve been inspired by 15-year-old Greta Thunberg, a Swedish student who has been sitting outside the parliament in central Stockholm to draw attention to the fears younger generations hold about the global climate crisis and the failure of countries to take urgent action.
“We think it’s important because it’s a huge problem,” Milou said. “The Earth is already too hot, with droughts in winter in NSW and the coral reef is dying.”
She said students were speaking to Greta in Sweden each week. “I would like our politicians to acknowledge climate change is an emergency and take the necessary steps in order to have a sustainable world,” she said.
A 14-year-old Fort Street high school student, Jean Hinchliffe, is organising the Sydney walkout on 30 November. She said there was a template letter students who were worried about taking time off class could give to their teachers.
“We’ve got involved because at this stage we can’t vote, we’re not politicians and we want to make a difference,” she said. “We can’t stand around waiting.
“I think it’s because climate change is scary seeing that it’s our future. This is a fact and not to be debated.”

[northshore]

However right and virtuous this cause may be, I guarantee at least 25% of those "participating" are just looking for a mob-mentality enabled excuse to skip class.

Source: I was a high school student too.

[Revenge282]

I'd much rather my kid tell me they're skipping school with friends to protest climate change than taking part in Senior Skip Day.

[Shift28]

I am a senior in HS

My school had a "Protest" recently for gun control around the time of the parkland shooting.

Its that one girl who is always an activist about everything that organized it (she wore a widows dress the day trump won and pretended to cry lol)

I personally agree with her sentiment but it was clear 99% of everyone who walked out of class with her just wanted to get outta class.

[Mighty AU]

Good on them. They are the future, and the poor global response to climate change in the present will affect their own lives in the decades to come.

However, now is a timely reminder that there are things that each and every person can do to reduce their own impact on the environment; minimise use of disposable items and maximise use of re-usables, recycle where appropriate, eat substantially less meat, and just reducing all forms of consumption in general is a good rule.

[IAmIroningMyDog]

I would always look for a reason to skip school because school sucks

University wasn't much better either