justice

poster at the rally which said ‘you didn’t care when we had Monday off for the horse race’, but our leaders seem to take an issue with usjoining a strike to fight for our future.”

“We didn’t create the problem, but we will be part of the solution,” she concluded.

The unprecedented world-wide youth effort garnered mixed reactions from the adults, but the passion did not go by unnoticed. Craig Wilkins, CEO of Conservation Council SA said, “Emergency action on climate change is required and no area of government, be that federal, state or local seems to grasp quite how much work is required. Some of the effects of climate change is locked in so we need to prepare our systems to cope with such pressures. It was fascinating to see the signs on placards focused on key issues such as protecting the Great Australian Bight and renewable energy. The rally was incredibly passionate and upbeat.”

So, I am hopeful. If there is a lesson we can take from students like Ananya, Jagveer or even Greta Thunberg who inspired hundreds of students in over 70 countries to strike for climate action, it is that young leaders are rising to the challenge many of us have sought to address.

Climate change is a global issue, but as one of the highest-ranking countries of carbon emissions per capita in the world, we all need to do our fair share to reduce our footprint.

As Margaret Mead once said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” described.

He added, “The latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report indicates that we have less than 11 years to curb the dangerous effects from fossil fuels. It’s about being on the right side of history, and students turning out in record numbers across the world are marching for their future. My parents have always taught me to do the right thing, and speaking out for our environment is the right thing to do.If politicians want us to remain in the classrooms then they must listen to the science and take action.”

“As migrants we must participate actively in our democracy and I encourage people to contact their local MP and make their voice heard,” he urged.

Ananya Dasgupta, 15, joined the student strike in Adelaide and is hopeful that young people continuing to raise their voices collectively will bring about change.

“I have always cared about the environment. Issues such as pollution, litter on our streets, plastic in our oceans, the damage to our marine life, and decline of coral reefs is of concern to young people just like me, so what we do now matters,” she told Indian Link. She described, “When I heard about the student strike action on climate change, I was really excited about getting involved. We put posters up in our school to let other students know.”

And what did her parents think about skipping school? “My parents are really supportive of me, they have similar views and also care about climate change. I saw this one

BY BHUVI RAI

On a seemingly unassuming Friday – a regular school day – the steps of the South Australian Parliament were flooded with a mass of school students. We came from all over; primary school students, high school students, university students, as well as the youth, the elderly, and families.

Over 5,000 of us stood united for a common cause; the climate crisis. Inspired by Swedish teenager and climate change activist, Greta Thunberg, who held the first school strike for climate, the rest of us took to the streets. This movement had to happen, we didn’t have a choice.

Enough was enough, we decided. And so, Australia, and the world, witnessed the activist force of thousands of school students fighting for climateaction and justice.

It had been building up for over weeks. Plans carefully made, parents convinced, and schools contacted. But still, it was a happy surprise to turn up to the strike and see the enormous turnout that occurred in Adelaide. It exceeded every expectation. People cared. It was not only the students who had come out to protest, but also the generations before us, who rocked up to show their support. It was hot and sweaty. I could feel myself sweating through my uniform, my bag heavy on my back. Everybody could feel the heat, standing between throngs of people. As we marched, and shouted, and protested, as the speeches rivalled the scorching sun with their tremendous passion, the heat became a constant reminder why wewere here.

Because what good did it do to sit in air-conditioned classrooms learning for a future that we were being stripped of? What good did it do to learn science in class when our own politicians ignored