Southern Highlands students, as well as their parents, friend and community members, took part in the nationwide School Strike for Climate Action this morning at Bowral's Corbett Gardens, the first event of its kind since COVID-19 began.
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Despite damp, chilly weather, a passionate crowd gathered, determined to get the issue back on the national agenda.
MCs for the event, Moss Vale High School's Lola Stravoskoufis and Beatrix Jones, said they were there because they were losing hope in any possibility of the government taking action.
"It's obvious that the government and the adults aren't taking the actions they need to," said Lola.
"It's our future, and it's not long before the effects of climate change are irreversible," said Beatrix.
Speakers included local student Carey Hall, Matt Murfitt from Voice of Hume, local Gundungurra woman Aunty Trish Levett and Suzie Bryant from Australian Parents 4 Climate Action.
The girls invited attendees to sign a letter to Member for Goulburn Angus Taylor and Member for Whitlam Stephen Jones, which read:
"We the students and greater community of the Southern Highlands want a voice, and we want our voices heard for the sake of our future.
Today we sacrifice time in our classrooms and work places to stand up for what we see as the greatest threat to our civilisation - climate change.
The ramifications of the decisions YOU make today will be felt by us in years to come.
We want our government to be protecting our climate, land and water, and creating thousands of new jobs by growing Australia's renewable energy sector and backing First Nations solutions to protect Country. Instead,
We want politicians to take action to combat climate change TODAY
We want no new coal or gas power plants
We want investment in 100% renewable energy
We want a just transition
We want First Nations solutions to protect Country
We want a future
For the sake or our planet, for the sake of our quality of life, for the sake of peace, for the sake of the children - us - we urge you to take action now.
The students and community of the Southern Highlands."
