Students strike for greater action on climate change

AN ESTIMATED 2,000 students and workers marched through central Geelong on Friday to encourage the federal government to take greater action towards climate change.

The protesters met out the front of Geelong Town Hall at 10am. After some speeches they then moved through the streets with signs and banners calling for action.

The march was one of more than 100 that took place across Australia on September 20, with many more being carried out worldwide as part of the September 20 to 27 Global Climate Strike.

Geelong event organiser Caitlin Ramsay said she was delighted not only at the number of people who turned out, but also the diversity of the group.

“Just seeing everybody of all different ages and from all different walks of life, this is an issue that is uniting all of us.

“It would be really disappointing if our leaders don’t look at the 300,000 people who marched around Australia on Friday and don’t say ‘we need to change, we need to do something’.”

Corangamite Labor federal member Libby Coker also joined the march. She said the protest provided students in particular with a positive means to make themselves heard.

“Taking peaceful and positive action gives young people a sense that they can make a difference to their future.

“Many young people do feel anxious about climate change, and my hope is that this action empowers them to take hold of their future and do small actions to make a difference.”

She said the protests would certainly put pressure on the federal government to take action.

“As I walked with people and spoke with them the message was clear – they want strong and effective action on climate change and the message to
Scott Morrison was clear – his government must act now.”