Kids skip school to lead biggest climate rally in Australian history
Written for 7News.com.au in September 2019
Schoolchildren across the country have skipped class to take part in the biggest climate change strike in Australian history, sending a loud message to politicians.
Hollywood superstar Chris Hemsworth was among those who took part, joining in the action in his hometown of Byron Bay alongside one of his kids.
An estimated 300,000 people in 110 cities and towns protested on Friday afternoon as part of an international strike that called for action on climate change.
The biggest strikes were in Melbourne and Sydney, but huge crowds also turned out in Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.
About 100,000 people joined the rally in central Melbourne, shutting down roads (Image: AAP)
Melbourne led the country with an estimated 100,000 descending on Treasury Gardens and Parliament House, marching as they shouted "people power!" and "climate action!".
A Victoria Police spokeswoman said not a single arrest was made.
In Sydney an estimated 80,000 protesters took over Domain before swarming down Macquarie Street to Hyde Park.
They included 15-year-old Daniel, from Fort Street High School, who said young people "are demanding more than they're being offered" from their leaders.
"Seeing how many young people are coming out, I think the current politicians we've got might not stay in power for so long anymore, with a new voting base coming in," he told AAP.
Several roads in the heart of the city were closed from 10am because of the march.
Schoolchildren strike for climate action in Melbourne (Image: AAP)
Kids lead charge
Across the country, children in their school uniforms waved signs with slogans that included "I've seen smarter cabinets at IKEA" and "Climate change is worse than homework".
The kids were concerned about the planet's future, saying they will have to deal with problems for longer than the older generations.
Adults also joined the protest in big numbers, including grandparents, pregnant women and a man in a dinosaur suit holding a sign that read "Extinction sucks, trust me".
Thor on board
In Byron Bay, Thor star Hemsworth posted an Instagram video of himself with one of his children in the crowd and wrote "children understand".
"The kids have spoken! Well done to all the young climate strikers for taking part ... drawing immediate attention to the climate change emergency!!" he wrote.
Acting PM unimpressed
Acting Prime Minister Michael McCormack did not appear to be impressed by the weekday strike.
"These sort of rallies should be held on a weekend where it doesn't actually disrupt business, it doesn't disrupt schools," he said in Melbourne.
"I think it's just a disruption."
The strikes disrupted transport and closed roads, while many schools and businesses were short on students and workers for the day.
"I should be sitting in a chemistry exam today," 16-year-old Sunshine Coast student Lucy McDougall said.
"Of course I'm concerned about missing that, but this is more important."
Global movement
It was all part of the week-long Global Strike 4 Climate, a global action demanding government and business commit to a target of net zero carbon emissions by 2030.
Organisers are also calling for fossils fuels to be left in the ground and for greater funding of green initiatives, including planting trees to absorb carbon.
The group said it was the biggest climate protest in Australian history, and double the size of the March action.
Swedish teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg is behind the movement and she watched the action from New York, Tweeting her support.
"Australia is setting the standard!" she said.