Community members have responded to Byron students’ decision to join School Strike 4 Climate

A group of students in Byron Bay were among tens of thousands of Australian youths who left school to protest for action on climate change.

A School Strike for Climate protest was held in Byron Bay on Friday, May 21, 2021. Picture: Liana Boss

There was a wave of support, but also some heated comments, after students left class to call for stronger action on climate change.

A street protest in Byron Bay was among a string of School Strike 4 Climate rallies held across the country on Friday.

>>> Gallery: Students strike for climate change action

The protests came after the federal government announced $600 million in taxpayer funds would go toward a 660-megawatt gas power plant in the Hunter Valley.

In response to the protest, Shaen Springall said: “I wish they would focus on planting trees, the number one thing we can do to combat climate change! If everyone of these school strikers planted a tree at each strike what a real difference they would be making.”

Monica Wilcox replied that the protesters had probably already done exactly this.

Andrew McNeill said he was proud that his child attended the march.

“My daughter went and I’m proud of her,” he said.

“She’s so far ahead at school, she can afford to miss a day to stand up for her future.”

Some questioned why the protest couldn’t happen on a weekend, but Julia Chapple commended their actions.

“Good on these kids, they know too well the mess they will inherit due to lack of forethought, thanks to the inept and backward thinking government policies regarding renewables,” she said.

Michelle Ryan also welcomed the march.

“Good on them, so proud of this generation,” she said.

“What really concerns and disgusts me is the criticism from former generations … not sure what gives anyone the right to criticise a generation who are taught (probably in class) to trust the science … and then take some action to change the outcome for themselves and their kids?”