Students make reasonable case for climate change action

The Prime Minister is missing the point when he calls for "more learning” and "less activism” in schools in regards to the student climate change protests.

Shellie Joseph and Ema were set to join the Global Student Strike for Climate Action to be held at Peregian Beach Surf Club yesterday.

THE Prime Minister is missing the point when he calls for "more learning” and "less activism” in schools in regards to the student climate change protests.

Over the past two decades, school students have been formally calling on governments to implement programs that will address the issue.

They are of the reasonable belief that not enough has been done and are now taking less formal steps to get our governments to act.

A good indicator of their growing frustration is highlighted in the vision statement penned at the Australian Youth Parliament for the Environment conference in 2000.

Their vision statement says: "There is much work to be done to create a better future and it is essential that as young people we become aware of the problems facing the environment. It is clear that our level of sustainability is not improving. For young people, who have the most at stake, this is a great motivation to get to work.”

Indeed, there is much work to be done, but it also needs to be done in a judicious and methodical way.

However, 20 years of seemingly tranquil progress by governments is perhaps good reason for our school students to mobilise into more upbeat action.

GERARD MCKEERING

Mooloolaba

Originally published as Students make reasonable case for climate change action