Thousands of New Zealanders Will Take to the Streets to Demand Action on Climate Change

Mass environmental protests will flood the streets of New Zealand on Friday, September 27, when thousands of people across the country walk out of school and work to demand action on climate change.

Part of the Global Climate Strike movement, and organised locally by School Strike 4 Climate, events will be held in cities and towns across the nation — not only in main centres such as Auckland and Wellington.

With the United Nations' Climate Change Summit happening on Monday, September 23 in New York, the huge worldwide protests are timed to send a message. Taking place in 120 countries, they're the latest initiative to take the climate crisis to the streets, building upon the outcry expressed in other rallies this year. In March, a Global Climate Strike for Future attracted 1.4 million people around the globe.

This week's strikes have significant community backing this time, too — thousands of New Zealand school students are expected to walk out of class to attend, most universities have pledged their support, and several companies have committed to giving their employees time off so that they can head along as well.

As well as drawing attention to a horrific two years weather-wise — as seen via soaring temperatures, prolonged drought conditions and the horrific bushfires that have plagued the Queensland and NSW for the last fortnight — protestors are fighting for three specific demands. They're asking for a ban on new coal, oil and gas projects, that 100-percent energy generated and exported by 2030 comes from renewable sources, and the funding of fair transition processes, including the provision of jobs, for fossil fuel industry workers and the communities currently reliant upon the sector.

If you're planning to join the crowds or you're pondering your transport options for the day, here's how the events will go down in your city. And here are a few placard ideas, too:

AUCKLAND

Auckland protestors will converge on Aotea Square at 12pm for a rally before marching to the line where the sea level will sit if it rises by two metres. For those keen to take action after the event, For the Love of Bees is hosting a workshop on biological pollinator sanctuaries in Myers Park from 3–5pm.

For public transport and traffic updates on the day, check at.govt.nz and journeys.nzta.govt.nz.

WELLINGTON

Wellingtonians will start their protest at 11am in Civic Square before marching around 11.50am down Lambton Quay to Parliament. Those in Porirua will begin with a harbour clean-up at 8am before catching the train to join the Wellington strike, and Lower Hutt protestors will assemble at 8.45am in the Dowse area across from Council. Afterwards, the strike will march to Waterloo Station and train into the event at Civic Square.

For public transport and traffic updates on the day, check metlink.org.nz and journeys.nzta.govt.nz.

New Zealand's Global Climate Strike protests will take place at various times on Friday, September 27. For further details, visit the School Strike 4 Climate website.

Top image: School Strike