Alexa Stuart is angry and terrified.
“I am angry not just because my future is at risk, but because my future is being stolen right in front of my eyes,” she said.
“And the way to deal with this fear and helplessness is action, is doing everything in our power to fix this mess.”
The Lambton High School student was among a crowd of thousands at a peaceful global climate strike in Newcastle’s Civic Park last week.
The event demanded three actions from Australia’s governments and business leaders.
Those were: no new coal, oil and gas projects, including the Adani mine; 100% renewable energy generation and exports by 2030; and fund a just transition that would create alternative jobs for all fossil-fuel workers and communities in the region.
Some prominent Newcastle artists and businesses responded to the call for action, including
musician Kim Churchill and surfing publication Throwing Buckets, as well as the nation’s four major banks, technology company Atlassian, and KeepCup.
Ms Stuart, who helped organise the event, addressed Prime Minister Scott Morrison in her speech on the day.
“In March, 150,000 of us took to the streets around Australia and yet you did not listen to our fears and you told us we need ‘more learning in schools and less activism,’” she said.
“But we will not take that for an answer.
“So, we have gathered our parents, grandparents, friends and neighbours, peers and colleagues to join us in solidarity.
“And we ask you, Mr Prime Minister, now are you listening?
“If you really believe in a fair go for all Australians, including the younger generations, then you would listen to our three demands.”
The global strike took place ahead of the United Nations Climate Action Summit in New York on Monday.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres called on all leaders to bring concrete, realistic plans to enhance their nationally determined contributions by 2020, in line with reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 45% over the next decade and to net zero emissions by 2050.
Mr Morrison did not attend the summit.
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