'We will never back down': 80,000 strike in Sydney over climate change

Tens of thousands of school students called on older generations to "clean up their mess" as they demanded stronger climate action at mass protests across the country.

About 80,000 Sydney students and parents rallied at Sydney's Domain on Friday despite state and federal government ministers ordering pupils to stay in school.

"Today I want to tell all the grown-ups that our environment is important and we need to protect it," year 5 Richmond Public School student Andrea Villafaña, 10, told the crowd.

"I’m here today because I’m scared of living in a world with no turtles. I’m scared of living in a world without the Great Barrier Reef ... When I make a mess, my mum makes me clean it. If they were so smart, they’d clean up after themselves too."

The Global Climate Strike, which grew out of the School Strike 4 Climate movement founded by Swedish teen Greta Thunberg, drew crowds of about 100,000 in Melbourne and 30,000 in Brisbane. In Sydney, NSW Police estimated 50,000 attended, while organisers said the Domain's capacity of 80,000 was reached.

The Global Climate Strike on Friday attracted some of the biggest crowds since protests against the Iraq war.Credit: Dominic Lorrimer

Organisers described Friday's turnout of 300,000 Australians as the biggest nationwide since 500,000 people protested against the Iraq war in 2003. Similar school strikes in March and November last year drew 40,000 and 15,000 people.

Protests were not confined to Australia's capital cities: there were rallies in the snow at Mount Hotham and in the heat of Alice Springs, while in Chinchilla, four hours' west of Brisbane, schoolgirl Ariel Ehlers held her own strike on the footpath outside her school.

"While a fair few Year 6 students know about climate change, they don’t really know enough to try to make a difference," Ms Ehlers said.

Ariel Ehlers staged her own strike outside Chinchilla State School. Credit: Tony Moore

"I made a PowerPoint presentation for them and they really seemed to appreciate that."

Sydney student organiser Daisy Jeffrey, 17, said the "most incredible day" proved Australia wanted climate action.

Many protesters were high schoolers, ranging from inner city schools such as SCEGGS and Sydney Girls to Mount Saint Benedict in Pennant Hills, while primary aged students from Bronte and Bondi public schools walked among university contingents.

"I could never have anticipated we would grow to the size we have today. At the first strike I said this was just the beginning," Ms Jeffrey said.

"Today shows we have followed through with that promise and we will never back down.

"None of us should have to live in fear of an uncertain future ... By each of us leading in our own way, and teaching others to do the same, we can build our way out of this mess."

The school strike for climate movement makes three demands: no new coal or gas projects; 100 per cent of electricity to be supplied by renewable energy by 2030; and the provision of a fund to support a "just transition" for fossil-fuel workers and their communities.

Strike organiser Daisy Jeffrey, 17, spoke to a crowd of more than 80,000.Credit: Louise Kennerley

"Some adults hear these demands and laugh at us. Others attack us," Ms Jeffrey said.

But Jean Hinchliffe, 15, said students "will not stand by, we will not let our government stand by, as our future burns. As the temperatures rise, so will we".

Indigenous protesters travel days for Sydney strike

Kamilaroi girl Marlie Thomas, in year 11 at Gunnedah High School, travelled to Sydney to speak about how rising temperatures and drought are affecting Indigenous communities and regional NSW.

"I am here on the authority of my elders," she said. "I struggle to think of one way climate change doesn't affect our culture. I have had to help collect bottled water for our family in Walgett. Many other towns in NSW are facing the same crisis. We rely on Country and these rivers are our life. The red gums are dying and the traditional food supply is difficult."

Gadrian Hoosan, from Borroloola in the Northern Territory, travelled for three days to get to Sydney.  "We are all one family, black and white. A climate justice family," he said. "All you young students leading the strike, thank you."