Youth were pointed in their criticism of Australian politicians on Friday as they joined students all over the world in striking from school for climate change action.
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The small but passionate group gathered in Campbell Park, where they expressed their anguish over being too young to vote, and lack of control over current environmental policy.
Organiser Ruby Walker said she doesn't believe the incumbent government is willing to fight climate change head on, and hopes the protests will change voters' priorities in the upcoming state and federal elections.
"That's the big thing, to get everyone to see that what is happening now is nothing, and that they need to change and vote for someone else."
She was encouraged by the presence of supportive adults, including several scientists, who joined the protest; particularly following harsh criticism from many who believe the young people should stay in school.
"It is so hypocritical. What they're saying is 'you shouldn't be protesting, you shouldn't be doing that and this,' but if we don't you're not going to listen. The only reason that they're listening to us is because we're striking," she said.
Ruby said school is where she learned about environmental crises. "I've been learning about climate change since primary school - how bad it is and how we need to be doing more."
"If you don't want us to strike, then do something about it - or don't teach us about how bad it is that you're not!"
She said some critics told the youth to focus on their own carbon footprint by giving up their mobile phones or air conditioning, but felt they were missing the necessity for political leadership on climate change.
"It's been thrust upon us, and we're being told 'you fix it, but we're not going to help you,'" she said.
"(They're) completing missing the point that it needs to come from a political standpoint. There needs to be policies put in place. You can't just change the world by one person not using a phone."
Although there were fewer students than in last year's strike, Ruby felt those who did attend were more engaged with the cause.
Jada Daemon gave an impassioned speech about the emotional toll young people feel over a perceived lack of control on climate change policy, and the frustration of being shut down by adults when they speak up.
Several speakers argued that coal is not the future, and outlined their concerns surrounding climate change.
Ruby spoke on the progress the student-led campaign has made since last November, becoming a global phenomenon.
"A lot of people are saying that striking is not going to change anything, but I want to emphasise that it already has. The first strike was just in Australia, but now it's global," she said.
"There's students in Italy and France and Germany, and even in America. That's happening and the fact that it's in the media, it's obviously working. People just need to get on board with it."