It may be called the School Strike 4 Climate but millions of grandparents, parents and their kids around the world will take to the streets this Friday.
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Wollongong will participate in this global show of people power, with a rally and march to be held outside the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre in Burelli Street from 12pm.
Striking school students and their families will be supported by union members, university students and workers from all walks of life.
Shirley Gladding is a long time out of school but the 77-year-old grandmother from Fairy Meadow will support the "kids' rally and march".
"I feel we have created this problem and I feel very sad that the last few decades have gone by and my generation have not done enough about it. So I totally support what the kids are doing," she said.
"They can't vote so going out en mass declaring their concerns and asking for action from our politicians is one of their best options.
"I feel that state and federal government have really been letting us down.
"I'm particularly alarmed at the love affair our governments have with fossil fuels. I think it is time we totally reinvented the way we do things if we really want a future."
I'm particularly alarmed at the love affair our governments have with fossil fuels. I think it is time we totally reinvented the way we do things if we really want a future.
- Shirley Gladding
Nadine Page will also participate in the September 20 rally and march alongside her 12-year-old daughter Maya, much to the pleasure of the year 6 Woonona East Public School student.
"My interest in our world's environment started when my family traveled to Asia two years ago and I noticed how poorly waste was managed," Maya said.
"I then became involved in helping our school be environmentally friendly, which also raised my awareness of the climate crisis.
"Earlier this year, our school was walking to a soccer gala day, and on the way there, we all noticed how much rubbish there was.
"This sparked an idea in my brain, and alongside three of my friends, we all decided to tackle this issue head first. This year we have written letters, met local politicians, met with Wollongong Council and made changes to our homes and school.
"Striking for Climate is another step closer to our world becoming a better place and I encourage everyone to join in to make the politicians understand that we want the crisis to be solved."
Mrs Page said she was striking for her kids' future.
"To me it is obvious that our society is living beyond our planet's resources and we need to cease our dependence on fossil fuels, massive consumerism and the effects this will have on generations to come," she said.
"Sadly global leaders, and the majority of Australian electorate - as demonstrated by recent election - do not appear to share this view.
"But it is our kids who will inherit the mess - and they know it.
"That is why I am attending the climate strike to help send a strong message for change."
The collective of activists and environmental groups organising the Wollongong rally have called on business and governments to end coal powered electricity.
Instead they want them to plan and implement a just transition for mining communities towards a clean, renewable powered future.
"Our elected leaders need to stop denying the science and act now to save the planet, for this generation and generations to come."
Agron Latifi
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
