Scientists support strike
Kiwi scientists tell the Herald why they support today’s action
“I’ll be marching in Wellington in support of my 15-year-old son, Henry, who is Year 11 at Onslow College, because he doesn’t want to live on Mars. He likes this planet, but is pissed off with my generation for not taking action to look after it when the scientific evidence is so compelling.” Professor Tim Naish, Victoria University
“As a generation brought up with
[The Hunger Games’] Katniss Everdeen and Harry Potter, we shouldn’t be at all surprised our incredible kids are taking matters into their own hands. We should all be learning from their example.” Associate Professor Siouxsie Wiles, University of Auckland “By organising these strikes, young people have given each other a way to do something that just might make a difference. Instead of feeling isolated and miserable, they are now standing united, and that is huge.” Professor Niki Harre, University of Auckland
“So far we’ve fiddled with policy but the planet continues to burn, threatening their future and that of all species. I’m thrilled because these are the voices we need to be listening to. ” Dr Janet Stephenson, University of Otago
“We should celebrate the action these students are taking. What they are seeking is absolutely consistent with what we know about the science of climate disruption. Rapid, early and wide-scale changes must be made.” Professor Alistair Woodward, University of Auckland “Climate change is intergenerational and the youngest in society will be the ones who will both bear the least blame, but have the most responsibility to deal with the consequences of decisions made by others. They absolutely should make clear their anger with this situation and I completely support their right to be heard.”
Professor Iain White, University of Waikato
“Congratulations on your march as by the 2050s, you will be approaching or in your 50s — I certainly won’t be here. Let’s hope that by then we will have prevented a time of climate disruption like the summer of 2017-18, so that Aotearoa, Land of the Long White Cloud, will not become Aoteapoto, Land of the Short White Cloud.”
Professor Jim Salinger, Pennsylvania State University