Schoolchildren strike over inaction on climate change
SCHOOLCHILDREN across the UK yesterday took a stand against climate change, with thousands of pupils walking out of class to demand immediate action.
They say there has been a “woeful inaction” by governments to deal with rising temperatures.
Strikes took place in 60 towns and cities across the country.
The organiser for the Cardiff protest, which took place outside the Senedd in Cardiff Bay, was 17-yearold Beth Irving, who is in the lower sixth at UWC Atlantic College, in the Vale of Glamorgan.
Before the event she said that missing a day of school is nothing compared to the damage of ignoring the threat posed by climate change.
“No-one seems to be aware of quite how bad this crisis is,” she said.
“People have been hearing for years the affect it is going to have on the future. All around the world you can see – the polar vortex in the US, and Australia just having its hottestever January. Things are happening now and the media and government seem unaware. It has to be a concerted effort on behalf of government.”
Students at Islwyn High School were also given the chance to take part – with their school’s support.
A message was read out to all pupils which said that pupils in all year groups were to be given the opportunity to contribute to this national protest and to have their concerns heard.
“All pupils can, if they wish, decide not to participate in lesson 5 activities today. If they want to participate, they must sit in total silence with their arms crossed to get their protest recognised,” said the school.
“Publicity photographs, which will be sent to the Welsh Government in Cardiff, will be taken throughout the lesson. You will not get in to trouble for doing this as the school is fully supportive of this very important message.”
Theresa May criticised the teenagers. Her deputy official spokesman said: “Disruption increases teachers’ workloads and wastes lesson time that teachers have carefully prepared for,” according to The Daily Telegraph.
However, Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn gave his support.
Anna Taylor, of UK Student Climate Network, said: “We’re running out of time for meaningful change, and that’s why we’re seeing young people around the world rising up to hold their governments to account on their dismal climate records.
“Unless we take positive action, the future’s looking bleak.”