Students Speak Out Against Climate Denial

Claire Ollivain reports.

Students gathered outside Fisher Library at 1pm yesterday to listen to the 'Fight Scomo's Climate Denial' speak-out and march down Eastern Avenue. The protest, organised by Spreading the Climate Strikes, introduced students to the growing presence of environmental activism on campus. The resounding message of the speak-out was that climate action requires a united mass movement seeking environmental justice, and that this takes more than just a change in Prime Minister. Sofie Nicolson, Miro Sandev and James Sherriff each spoke about the importance of First Nations' sovereignty and workers' rights and strikes in ensuring a just transition to renewable energy.

Sherriff discussed how the fires personally impacted him as a resident of the Blue Mountains: "Towns weren't hit as hard as those on the South Coast and other areas this time, but 80% of native bushland in the Blue Mountains - sovereign, Indigenous land - was burned. 1 million hectares of ancient forest and native wildlife that will never fully recover." The speak-out also condemned the way Scott Morrison has marketed spending $2 Billion to increase Australia's gas extraction by 60% as a clean energy plan. Sherriff stated that "justice requires us to challenge and dismantle the colonial, capitalist structures which threaten our future and enforce social and economic inequality."

Protesters marched down Eastern Avenue carrying a banner signed with the names of hundreds of students. They chanted "transition to renewables 100%, tax the rich for every cent", "when Indigenous rights are under attack, what do we do? Stand up, fight back" and "when the planet is under attack, what do we do? Stand up, fight back." 

The action will expose Welcome Fest attendees to the burgeoning climate activism on campus. The new Climate Justice Alliance, a coalition of environmental organisations across Sydney, will be organising a National Day of Action rally on Saturday the 22nd of February. It will meet at 2pm outside Town Hall. The campaign for climate action has become increasingly prominent over the last year, with several Climate Strikes involving thousands of students in the movement.