Thousands of students across Australia stood up, skipped school and voiced their concerns on Friday protesting against the Government’s lack of action towards climate change, as Australia falls behind on the Paris carbon emission reduction target.
Hugely supported protest rallies were held in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth as students came together with one common intention, demanding the Federal Government to act on climate change.
“Our future is on the line … We are striking to tell our politicians to stop all new coal and gas projects and take immediate action to move Australia to 100 percent renewable energy.” Sydney student Jean Hinchliffe, 14
Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Resources Minister Matt Canavan were less than amused by the organised protest.
“We don’t support our schools being turned into parliaments. What we want is more learning in schools and less activism in schools.”
Scott Morrison, Prime Minister
“I want kids to be at school to learn about how you build a mine, how you do geology, how you drill for oil and gas, which is one of the most remarkable scientific exploits of anywhere in the world that we do.”
Matt Canavan, Liberal Politician
The Paris Agreement
Despite the Federal Government insisting Australia is on track to meet the reductions, the 2018 Emissions Gap Report shows that global emissions have hit a historic high and that Australia will not meet its 2030 target.
The Paris emissions reduction targets were set at the climate conference back in 2015, with Australia’s aim to reduce emissions by 26-28 percent on 2005 levels.
Regardless of the high uptake on residential solar in recent years, Australia is falling behind on decreasing the emissions with the increase in population playing a huge factor. State Governments such as Victoria and South Australia are taking matters into their own hands, putting in place State incentives to increase renewables. The aim of this is to make solar energy affordable and accessible to the average household and small business.
Future Voters Frustration
Students voiced their opinions through puns and picket signs, managing to grasp the attention of the media, across the world.
‘If you were doing your job properly, we wouldn’t be here’ stated the frustrated students, who will be the ones voting in coming years.
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Image Source:
- ABC Radio Adelaide-Malcolm Sutton
- Emma Teffer of Burwood Girls High holds a placard as thousands of students rally demanding action on climate change, in Sydney- AAP
