Pupils raise their voices for climate action
Thousands of school students from across the country took to the streets yesterday to join in a global day of pupil protest in support of action on climate change.
Armed with signs and singing chants, they left their classrooms and turned up in droves in Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington, Dunedin and other centres to make their voices heard.
The day of climate action comes as part of a worldwide protest against climate change from school pupils all over the world.
Because of New Zealand’s geographic location, those here were some of the first in the world to strike.
Outside Parliament — in front of a crowd of more than 2000 — high school, intermediate and primary school students took turns to address those gathered.
There were thousands more in Auckland — and in Christchurch, some of whom were caught up in the mosque attacks yesterday.
The turnout was so strong, it prompted Climate Change Minister James Shaw to suggest the Government should consider lowering the voting age.
“I think when it comes to climate change and what’s going on over the course of the next 30 years, it’s clear that young people want to participate in the political process — that’s what today is an expression of.”
Zazie-Rea Taylor — an 11-year old from Wellington, told those gathered she was there because her “future depended on it”.
“Despite what some people might think, I would actually rather be at school today,” she said.
“I would also prefer it if world leaders, politicians and all of society were taking the urgent action needed to stop climate change.”
Although youngsters dominated those gathered on the front lawn of Parliament, the organisers gave an opportunity for some adults to speak as well. The highlight of those speakers in Wellington was Shaw — who the day before had been assaulted in a Wellington park.
He was sporting a black eye and, speaking to Newstalk ZB before his address to the thousands gathered, said he was “delighted to see so many students protesting today”.
He received rapturous applause as he made his way to the microphones to address the crowd.
“Today is your day — I just want you to take a moment to look around you… because this is the largest crowd marching for climate change.”
The crowd in Wellington was even larger than the one that gathered before the Paris Climate Agreement was signed in 2015.
Shaw said the politicians had been talking about climate change for 30 years — “almost all of my life and almost twice as long as most of you have been alive.
“It is time for the talking to stop, and time for the action to start.”
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the Zero Carbon Act was “groundbreaking legislation”.
“It’s technical and difficult legislation we are working hard to finalise. Once we lock down the remaining details we will be in a position to announce the timeframe for the bill’s introduction. I’m very keen to see it finalised and completed by the end of this year.”
She acknowledged those students who turned up at the marches across the country today. “My message is simple, we hear you and we’re getting on with setting a path for carbon neutrality.
“Please keep bringing as many people as you can with you, because we simply won’t achieve our goals alone.”