Students across Australia have taken to the streets in order to draw attention to the country’s climate change emergency.
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Event coordinator Ballarat secondary student Anna Burnett says the federal government must stop politicising the issue and take action.
“Over the last decade climate change has become shamefully politicised within Australia and other places around the world,” she said.
“The purpose of these rallies not just in Ballarat but all around Australia was to make a statement about the lack of action that is currently taking place.”
Ms Burnett led over 500 students from schools around Ballarat on a march from Ballarat Trades Hall through the centre of the city.
Following the march, Ms Burnett took to the stage to deliver a speech regarding climate change issues facing her generation.
“Being up on stage was exceptionally empowering for me.
“For many years I've felt quite isolated that nothing is being down about this inaction, I've been wanting to create change.
“To be surrounded by these passionate, excited and united people who are willing to fight for what they believe in felt really empowering.”
Ballarat strike organiser Alex Drew said before the event it was a sign of good education students were aware of Australia’s issues and taking action.
“So many young people have become disillusioned with politics and increasingly anxious at the lack of action on climate change,” he said.
The march comes following a new United Nations report has found Australia is not on track to meet its 2030 Paris climate target. Under the agreement, Australia promised to reduce its emissions by 26-28 per cent by 2030.
Councillor Belinda Coates recently passed a climate notice of motion at a council meeting last week, which was co-delivered by Ms Burnett.
“We really need to step it up and make sure those actions in the plan are resourced and budgeted for so we can pick up the pace of action,” Cr Coates said.
These sentiments were echoed by Ms Burnett.
“I really support the motion. It was a call to take climate change more seriously and see it as what it really is, which is a crisis,” she said.
She still remains hopeful the correct steps will be taken going forward to put back on the right path going forward.
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