“Coal, don’t dig it. It’s time to start getting with it,” was the popular chant created by the 15-odd local youths involved in the #climatestrike.

The protest in Inverell today was part of School Strike 4 Climate Action, a nation-wide, student-led initiative demanding climate action.

Local student Ruby Walker was the driving force behind holding a climate action strike at Campbell Park, supported by her peers and a few passionate adults.

Ruby voiced her reasoning behind why she stands for change along with Labor’s Debra O’Brien, organic farmer Glen Morris and Deepwater’s David Townes.

As the future generation who will inherit the “havoc fossil fuels play on the environment”, Ruby said it was time for politicians to implement better environmental policies.

“If you don’t have a flourishing environment and climate you don’t have anything, and that’s my future. 

“It’s so painful to see adults in a position of power not thinking about sustainable energy, all they care about is getting money as quickly as possible to boost the economy.”

The movement is calling for Australia to “move forward like the rest of the world” and move away from coal and gas; becoming 100 per cent renewable.

Dubbed as possibly the biggest nation-wide student walkout, the strike has definitely caught the attention of Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

“We don't support the idea of kids not going to school, to participate in things that can be dealt with outside of school,” Mr Morrison said in response to a query by Member for Melbourne, Adam Bandt.

“We do not support our schools being turned into parliaments. 

“We think kids should be in school learning, whether it's about those issues or maths, science, English, literature, Indigenous history, Australian history. That's what they should be there doing. 

“What we want is more learning in schools and less activism in schools.”

The story has received mixed responses on our social media pages, here are a few opinions from our followers.

“The number of scientists who dispute anthropogenic climate change is so small, there is literally a Wikipedia list of them. Between 97 and 98 per cent of qualified climatists agree with the scientific consensus. We need to stop wasting time arguing our little conspiracies, because the consequences are dire if you're wrong,” Jacob Hunt wrote.

“Go back to school and get educated before trying to make educated decisions it’s that easy and make sure you learn your history all of it not just bits and pieces that suit your narrow minded views,” Jamie Lawton said.

Helen Bedford wrote, “Seeing as how these children will be living through the chaos we all leave behind I applaud them for taking a stand.”

“The standard of education has slumped alarmingly in Australia in recent years - apparently its the trendy thing to demonstrate against the greatest hoax ever - they would be better concentrating on their studies instead of being led like a flock of sheep by left wing teachers,” John Shaw said.

“It is really great to see students taking a stand like this. These young people are the future and it is about time the dinosaur politicians listened to them about climate change. Congratulations Ruby and the other involved students from Inverell High School,” Kerry Harvey wrote.