Australia: Climate change strike – thousands of school students protest

[GeoTommy]

https://www.theguardian.com/environm...tional-protest

Thousands of schoolchildren across Australia walked out of class on Friday to demand action by the federal government on climate change.

The “Strike 4 Climate Action”, inspired by 15-year-old Swedish student Greta Thunberg, brought together children in capital cities and 20 regional centres

Some witty signs:

https://www.theguardian.com/environm...rs-and-posters

[mrgoodkat]

Great excuse to skip school without actually achieving anything.

[HK_Katherine]

Great excuse to skip school without actually achieving anything.

Do you have anything good to say about anything?

In a few years time, these kids will be voters. I think their voices do achieve something.

[jgl]

Do you have anything good to say about anything?

mrgrumpykat

[mrgoodkat]

Do you have anything good to say about anything?
.

Unlikely.

These kids being able to vote in the future will exactly get them zero. We all share the same planet and Australia reducing emissions won't even make a dent overall. Reducing emissions costs GDP and most developing nations are unwilling or unable to reduce. China emits more than the EU and USA combined and yet the Paris agreement allows them to continue increasing emissions until 2030. Per capita emissions don't matter when the population rich developing countries still continue to increase emissions. I'm sure that none of those kids are willing to cut their standard of living by 60% until they reach the same per capita emissions as China. (20 tones vs 7 tonnes) And even if, China or India increasing their emissions by just 1% would totally wipe out those savings.

The only thing are getting out of their protests are a few days off and a warm fuzzy feeling.

[GeoTommy]

mrgrumpykat

mr“you must be fun at parties”kat

[HK_Katherine]

As someone who works in the energy industry - which is one of the key industries directly affected by climate change debates - I see a huge difference being made in the industry. If you meet someone from Europe, it is extremely hard find anyone who is not a huge proponent of renewables etc. Even in Asia, I see individuals (usually young ones) setting up renewable companies, installing renewables, lobbying AND CHANGING government policies. Things are changing. Not even "in my lifetime". More "in the time I have been in HK". Very fast. Sure, certain old fogies in the USA are trying to hold back the tide, but they are losing. And its being driven, on the whole, by young people. Ignore them at your peril.

[mrgoodkat]

Not saying you are wrong, just saying that it doesnt make any difference. China emissions are forecast to grow the fastest in 7 years. India's grew almost 5%. That's a third of the world's population not reducing emissions, but I'm sure a bunch of idealistic kids switching to veggie burgers is gonna make all the difference.

[HK_Katherine]

Not saying you are wrong, just saying that it doesnt make any difference. China emissions are forecast to grow the fastest in 7 years. India's grew almost 5%. That's a third of the world's population not reducing emissions, but I'm sure a bunch if idealistic kids switching to veggie burgers is gonna make all the difference.

Yeah and a bunch of silly girls chaining themselves to railings did nothing useful either.

[Golem]

Great excuse to skip school without actually achieving anything.

Just like people posting on this forum during the work day...