Students across Sydney to strike for climate change
Fort St High School’s Jean Hinchliffe will lead students across Sydney on a school strike on Friday campaigning for action on climate change.
Fort St High School’s Jean Hinchliffe will lead students across Sydney on a school strike on Friday campaigning for action on climate change.
The 14-year-old from Birchgrove said she will walk out of Fort St High School with her peers on Friday and march to the NSW parliament.
She has always felt passionate about climate change, she said.
After being inspired by a student in Sweden who campaigned outside Sweden’s federal parliament for weeks, she decided she would start a movement in Sydney.
“Some girls in Victoria started an initiative and I said I’d love to help in Sydney,” Jean said.
“It’s difficult not to care about climate change.
“It’s something I have always cared about and more recently I have become involved in activism.”
Her Facebook group has 500 confirmed attendees and over 1500 people interested. She said students from across Sydney were invited to come along and show their support.
Jean said they will meet at noon, where there will be live music, student speeches, rallying and chanting.
Students will also be invited to write letters to parliament.
“We are urging all politicians to pledge that they would help to stop Adani, as well as turning Australia’s electricity to completely renewable by 2030,” she said.
Balmain MP Jamie Parker is supporting Jean’s campaign and will join their strike.
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“Young people are on the frontline of climate change and the decisions being made now will determine their future,” he said. “I’m so impressed that a group of teenagers has recognised the urgency of this climate emergency and are demanding action. “
He called on the NSW parliament to comeup with an effective climate policy.
Mr Parker said he would proudly stand by the students and urged other young people to join them.