Last month, School Strike 4 Climate New Zealand organised an online climate strike in its efforts to continue to push for action to address climate change. This week, Craccum showcases the thoughts of three students as well as School Strike 4 Climate NZ on the issue.
Amy*, 21, Arts
“We need to keep the pressure on and keep pushing for our government to be a climate leader. Without countries around the world agreeing to a binding and meaningful agreement on how to address climate change, I am really worried for the future of our world. I would love to see a day where everyone can commit to a collective solution for a collective problem”
John*, 20, Arts
“I think the School Strikes for Climate have been really great at raising awareness about it. I think it’s awesome that we have so many people engaging in politics on such an important issue. Especially because there is an idea of young people as not caring about politics. Hopefully this will show the government how important it is to New Zealanders.”
Nelson*, 22, Commerce
“Global warming is really important but we need to think about how this is going to impact our biggest industries – farming and tourism. If we make really big changes then we might not have time to adapt to it properly and it could negatively affect other areas.”
School Strike 4 Climate New Zealand
“Right now, we have an unprecedented opportunity and responsibility to create a new normal – one which creates a planet we would all feel proud to pass on to future generations, by holding people and the planet at its center. We must show our leaders that there is still momentum and that thousands of New Zealanders are here, ready to walk alongside our political leaders on this journey to the more beautiful Aotearoa that we know is possible.”
*Names have been changed.