Hundreds of Illawarra students have put politicians of all persuasions on notice to act on climate change as a matter of urgency.
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Primary and high school students wearing their uniforms gathered at Wollongong's Civic Plaza to demand action on climate change as part of the global Strike 4 Climate Action movement.
Thousands upon thousands of students across Australia skipped school on Friday to ‘strike’ for climate change.
Like the many rallies held across the country, the Wollongong event heard from many passionate youngsters determined to be heard on "climate justice".
"We are here today because we refuse to let fear paralyse us," said organiser and Smith’s Hill High School student Laura Charlton.
"We aren’t prepared to wait around and hope for another bogus “$2 billion plan” while new mines continue to open.
"We aren’t going to sit down and we aren’t going to shut up. Everyone here has something to say, and everyone here is making sure that they get heard saying it.
"There is nowhere else right now that I would rather be, because regardless of what that future holds, I want it to, at the very least, exist."
Students and activist demanded the powers that be stop Adani, not introduce any new coal or gas and work to having Australia powered by entirely renewable energy by 2030.
Student speaker Laura Smith also called on the government to act on climate change or risk the wrath of the people at coming elections.
"I say to our government we will no longer sit here silent and passive while they destroy our future. It is not theirs, it's ours. We are the future and we have the power to change the power."
About 500 people all up took part in the Wollongong rally which also saw students march from the Civic Plaza to Flagstaff Hill.