Climate Strike: Friday 20 September

Issue 8, Semester 2, 2019

YING WONG

Australia is on the frontlines of the climate crisis; we are witnessing it daily – extreme drought, flash flooding, cold snaps and uncontrollable bushfires. Our neighbours in the Pacific are already experiencing the dramatic effects of sea-level rise. The science is indisputable – this is a climate emergency. 

This Friday 20 September, 3 days before the UN Climate Emergency Summit, school students inspired by Swedish student Greta Thunberg are inviting the world to a Climate Strike, taking place from 2pm-4pm at Treasury Gardens in the City. 

This is a global event to show politicians that people all over the world, from all walks of life, want immediate climate action, and to stand in solidarity with those who have already been hurt by the crisis. In March, a similar event drew 1.6 million people worldwide.

The University of Melbourne have endorsed the strike, and have stated that students and staff may strike without penalty. 

If you’re nervous about attending a strike or have never done so before, there will be a Uni contingent meeting at the Wilson Hall up on main campus at 12pm which will then join the larger student contingent at the State Library at 1pm. I am not affiliated with the Unimelb Climate Strike group but write this post in my personal capacity as a concerned citizen ~genuinely stressed~ about the fate of the planet. Hope to see you there. 

Ying is a Second Year JD Student and De Min Online Editor.