Brisbane students skip class in their thousands for climate action

An estimated 10,000 climate change protesters have flooded the heart of Brisbane as part of a global day of action.

City traffic was brought to a standstill as motorists abandoned their cars to watch or honked their horns in support.

The gathering began at Queens Gardens park on George Street about 11am and finished with a march that engulfed the entrance to Parliament House.

By 3pm, large groups of activists were heading for home as dark clouds rolled in overhead and threatened to dampen the spirits of those who remained.

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Students take to the streets with their messages displayed loud, clear and with plenty of colour.

School students take part in the climate change strike in Brisbane.Credit: AAP Image/Dan Peled

Protesters climb trees in Brisbane.Credit: Lydia Lynch

Motorists are leaving their cars to watch the protest as traffic comes to a standstill on Alice Street.

And security at Parliament House is on high alert as the crowds pour into QUT.

Motorists leave their cars on Alice Street.Credit: Lydia Lynch

Thea Hervall, 8, took the stage in front of thousands of people to say it was not the planet that needed saving but its people.

“There is no place I don’t see traces of ignorant human behaviour,” the eight-year-old said, without reading from notes.

Thea Hervall with her mother Hanna.Credit: Lydia Lynch

“Look at how our nation treats its Indigenous people, the people who have answers to many of our problems, the people who have lived in harmony with the environment for thousands of years.”

Year 10 student Jolie McInally from Loretto College has called the government to ban all coal mining in Australia.

“I am here today to get the politicians to act on climate change and make a difference,” she said.

“We need to stop Adani and ban all coal because it affects our environment and pollutes the air.”

Her friend Alyssa Moloney, also in Year 10 said the government needed to move to 100 per cent to renewable energy immediately.

Powerful union CFMMEU has said banning coal would be hugely detrimental to regional Queensland’s economy.

“We believe that it will rob Queenslanders of jobs and economic benefits and would not assist global efforts to address climate change," CFMMEU mining and energy Queensland president Stephen Smyth said.

Alyssa Moloney and Jolie McInally have called on a total coal ban.Credit: Lydia Lynch

Students descend on Queensland Parliament, rallying for action on climate change.Credit: Lydia Hart

The thousands of children marching through Queensland streets won't be left unsupervised, with Australian Parents for Climate Action also turning out to support the students.
APCA co-founder Suzie Brown said the group formed in January and already has more than 1000 members across the country.
“Most Australian parents are deeply worried about the future their children face due to global warming," she said.
"But, until we speak up and tell politicians we want emergency action, this issue will continue to be pushed under the carpet.
“These kids are showing Australian adults what leadership on climate change looks like, and as parents, we want to be there to support them.”

Thea, 8, and Elia Reid, 11, front the media pack at the Brisbane rally for climate change.Credit: Lydia Lynch

Hundreds of school children endured sweltering temperatures to have their say on climate change.
Elia Reid, 11, said she was here because she cared about the planet’s future.
“I am just really happy there are so many people out here today supporting us today,” she said.

“And if there isn’t a change we will come back and we will keep fighting.”