Tasmanian students change up climate strikes in COVID era with video and learning sessions

Despite COVID restrictions, Tasmanian students will still be taking action on climate change.

• Thousands attend Hobart School Strike for Climate
• PHOTOS: Climate Strike action rally

STUDENTS will become the teachers on Friday as they take part in a national day of action.

With massive climate protests like last year’s off the cards due to the coronavirus pandemic, Tasmanian students have instead found innovative ways to get their message across.

Year 12 Hobart College student, and Schools Strike 4 Climate nipaluna/Hobart member Imogen Viner said in the past they had been criticised for taking students out of the classroom to protest — so now they’re bringing the classroom to parliament Lawns.

From 10am students will set up a “classroom” on parliament Lawns with a series of talks about how climate change is impacting Tasmania and how people can take action.

“We hope to educate people and make sure they’re learning about the impacts of climate change,” she said.

Each session will be open to 1000 people, with tickets available online.

Climate strike rally in Hobart. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

Northern students have also done their part to make their voices heard.

Launceston Strike 4 Climate member Chloe McCann said the group had teamed up with the Australian Education Union to create a video.

“Members of the AEU will be showing it in their classes on Friday alongside other teachers that have signed up,” she said.

“We’ve got some really great speakers lined up from Tassie and across the country.

“We’re trying to highlight how climate change affects different parts of students lives, to really try and get those last stragglers to see climate change from a point of view they really resonate with.”

The video will go up on YouTube on Friday morning.

For more information about events, visit schoolstrike4climate.com.

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