The School climate strikes

Written By: - Date published: 2:20 pm, March 11th, 2019 - 20 comments
Categories: climate change, Environment, global warming, sustainability, transport - Tags:

This message was received via Greenpeace by email:

We are your children. Your grandchildren. Your future leaders. We have an urgent message and we need your help.

Click to view the mapWill you stand with us on 15 March as we strike for a safe climate future?

Last year, a 15-year-old Swedish girl called Greta Thunberg did a small thing that inspired a big movement.

She made the choice to strike from school and spend her days instead protesting climate change outside the Swedish Parliament. Her reasons for doing it have resonated with hundreds of thousands of children and young people across the world.

“Some say I should be in school. But why should any young person be made to study for a future when no one is doing enough to save that future? What is the point of learning facts when the most important facts given by the finest scientists are ignored by our politicians?” – Greta Thunberg

Now, this global movement has arrived in New Zealand. On March 15, we will be joining a global youth climate strike that will span dozens of countries around the world, from Africa to Europe, from Australia to North and South America.

Will you support us? Here’s a list of all the strikes around New Zealand.

If you’re a young person like me, please join a strike near you. Strikes are already planned in over 20 locations across New Zealand.

The events will feature youth speakers, activities, and chanting. It will be a safe and completely inclusive space, with heaps of volunteer officials for support. We invite all kindergarten, primary, secondary and tertiary students to join us – this movement concerns all of our futures.

We also invite all parents, teachers, whanau and members of the community to stand with us on the day – we need your support and intergenerational solidarity. If you’re a teacher, consider taking your class to a local action as a “class trip”.

You can also support us by amplifying our message through sharing posts, photos and news about the strikes online now and on the day.

We’re on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

We are doing this because we have the right to inherit a liveable planet from our parents and grandparents.

For over 50 years, politicians and businesses have known that climate change poses an existential threat to life on Earth. They’ve known that we can’t afford to keep burning fossil fuels, or depleting our oceans, rivers, forests, and land. In this knowledge, they have continued to do it anyway, and played political ping-pong with our future.

We are the ones who will inherit the consequences of this inaction, and we are scared. What will we do if the ecosystems we depend on collapse? Where will all the people who lose their homes go?

We have a vision for a safe climate future. One with plentiful native forests, clean rivers, and thriving ecosystems that allow life to flourish. We refuse to give up on that future, not only for ourselves, but for all future generations.

We’re going on strike from school on March 15 to protect this future, and send a strong, united message to the New Zealand Government that the youth of Aotearoa New Zealand demand urgent action.

We, the youth have started to rise, and we will not stop until we see climate justice.

Will you support us?

Here’s the link again:
https://www.facebook.com/pg/schoolstrike4climatenz/events/

Arohanui,

Raven Maeder

P.S. It can be scary as a young person to put yourself out there. Every day we receive comments telling us that we do not belong in this movement, that we should be at school. Please talk to the young people in your life and let them know you support them to strike. Having someone who backs you and tells you that your voice matters makes a massive difference.

20 comments on “The School climate strikes ”

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  1. Masterton climate change strike 1
    11 March 2019 at 2:34 pm

    No pin on the map above but student strike in Masterton too, this Friday from 9am to 11am with a protest in the centre of town:

    https://www.facebook.com/events/316089659258132/

  2. Tony Veitch [not etc.] 2
    11 March 2019 at 2:50 pm

    Who have a better right to strike/protest about a future we, the baby boomers, have, with out greed and short-sightedness, possibly deprived them off, than the young people?

    Go the students – I’ll be in Cathedral Square to support you!

    PS – no time seems to be given? Please advise.

  3. Greenpeace 3
    11 March 2019 at 3:42 pm

    Slightly misleading title, the message is from one of the school strike organisers, Greenpeace just forwarded it to our supporters.

    [Apologies for that. I will amend to “The School Climate Strikes” – MS]

  4. Tony Veitch [not etc.] 4
    11 March 2019 at 3:45 pm

    I’d just like to add this:

    if we’re to have any hope of averting a climate catastrophe which might end in the 6th mass extinction,

    we need a politicised, radical global youth movement. We need a revolution led by the young, who have most to lose!

    • One Two 4.1
      11 March 2019 at 3:54 pm

      I don’t agree…

      What’s required is the full quota of parents to take up the challenge on behalf of the children…

      If the children are to do the heavy lifting, then the adults have once again failed the children…completely…

      • Tony Veitch [not etc.] 4.1.1
        11 March 2019 at 5:04 pm

        The word ‘children’ has emotive connotations, and I deliberately didn’t use the word.

        These young people (hopefully) striking en masse are on the verge of adulthood and have a right to be concerned.

        Frankly, if they have to rely on their parents (or parents generally) then we’ve/they’ve lost the battle.

        • One Two 4.1.1.1
          11 March 2019 at 6:00 pm

          I deliberately did use the word…and of course (all human beings) have a ‘right to be concerned’…

          Frankly, if they have to rely on their parents (or parents generally) then we’ve/they’ve lost the battle

          I’d suggest not a sound approach to write off the parental/adult contingent, as there is slim to no chance the younger generations achieve traction without wider contribution…

          It’s not generational…despite how the narrative has deceived some into believing…

          Which group are you idenfiying with when you say we’ve?

  5. Koff 5
    11 March 2019 at 7:59 pm

    We will be riding bikes to the nearest school kids strike in Burleigh on the Gold Coast. The NSW state election may be derailed somewhat by the almost surreal proposal to build a new mammoth coal fired power station up the Hunter Valley – not long after much of Australia experienced its hottest ever temperatures!

    And for an interesting read – interview with Greta Thunberg in the Guardian

    https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/11/greta-thunberg-schoolgirl-climate-change-warrior-some-people-can-let-things-go-i-cant

  6. patricia bremner 6
    11 March 2019 at 9:54 pm

    This is about their future, and many feel they may not have a very good one. We need to listen first, then work together to make change happen. Blame is too little too late.
    We can’t afford the time for that. The youth will find a way hopefully with our support.

  7. WeTheBleeple 7
    12 March 2019 at 7:06 am

    Auckland Aotea Square @ 12.

    Can’t wait till this generation gets to vote. Nats… gone.

    • jcuknz 7.1
      12 March 2019 at 8:59 am

      “Nats gone” illustrates the immaturity of thinking here.
      We must go forward together …. all parties working to preserve and make anything new work to save the world from the loss of human life.

      • solkta 7.1.1
        12 March 2019 at 9:04 am

        Tell that to Nact. Once you have convinced them get back to us.

        • jcuknz 7.1.1.1
          12 March 2019 at 10:47 am

          Hiding away will not solve the problem and waiting for them to ‘change’.

          • solkta 7.1.1.1.1
            12 March 2019 at 10:56 am

            There are plenty of people and groups trying to get through to them. Perhaps with your enthusiasm you can go where no one has gone before.

      • WeTheBleeple 7.1.2
        12 March 2019 at 11:43 am

        The answers are right under Nats noses and they refuse to see them.

        We need to divest from fossil fuels but use our existing resources and excesses to create infrastructure and shift to a sustainable economy. Without saving the ecology the economy has a snowballs chance in Hell.

        We don’t need more big yachts for men with small dicks. They can resume fancying themselves after the job is done.

        A myriad of ecological problems are all linked together. Erosion, biodiversity, flood, drought, … all can be mitigated by proper land use and restorative agriculture.

        Not extractive mining of topsoil and forests for corporate profit.

        The Nats just don’t fit in any sane model of a working planet. They imagine themselves as far more important than they are – as movers and shakers – but they are just wreckers and takers.

        They need to change.

        My infantile attitude is not the problem. I’m with the kids on this. Fnaa na na na na.

        • greywarshark 7.1.2.1
          12 March 2019 at 12:12 pm

          WtB Too right.
          jcuknz Too wrong. This is no time for tedious, wishy-washy wish-fulfilment –
          they are young and with ..?0?….. ahead of them, and you are …lagging with your best behind you. Have a cup of tea and put your feet up.
          Don’t worry, be happy.

  8. John Irving 8
    12 March 2019 at 12:31 pm

    The protest should include a “teach in” on the importance of voting at the next election

  9. jcuknz 9
    12 March 2019 at 2:56 pm

    I agree it is probably wishful thinking to imagine red and blue getting together. However, red seem only capable of spending money with little apparent regard for the consequences while blue make money and are needed with their system to make the money for red to spend. which is where my thinking comes from.
    I was re-enforced in that view by listening to the nonsense spouted by the Green co- leader this morning on RNZ. She seems not to have clue about how the real world operates.
    Real wishy washy stuff. Green like the old Alliance seem only wanting to destroy the system without a useful alternative. Thinking she will convince by repeating the same stuff time and time again.

    • WeTheBleeple 9.1
      12 March 2019 at 5:46 pm

      “However, red seem only capable of spending money with little apparent regard for the consequences while blue make money”

      What utter BS.

      Your idiot mates sold assets. A moron wearing a dunce cap at the back of the bad behaved kids class could see that was freaking stupid.