A large hour glass symbolising that time is running out will be on Magellan Street, Lismore, for a Global Climate Change Strike tomorrow, Friday, September 20.

The street will be closed to traffic between 10am and 2pm, with the main action and sit-in scheduled for 12pm.

The strike is part of a global action led by students and young people all over the world who want to raise awareness of the need for climate change action. 

As well as students, concerned citizens, including nurses, fire fighters and farmers are called to join together to ask governments to take action on this day of protest.

Students leaders across the country are calling for “no new coal, oil and gas projects, 100% renewable energy by 2030 and a just transition and job creation for people who work in the fossil-fuel industry”.

One of the groups involved in the strike is Extinction Rebellion (XR) – a global movement of concerned citizens who want immediate government action on the climate change issue.

XR spokesperson Ruth Rosenhek said students at local schools who wanted to strike invited XR to support them to amp up the action this year in the streets, rather than just meeting in The Quad.

“They wanted to do something more serious to bring attention to the climate change issue and want to see change happening,” Ruth said.

“At 12pm, we hope to get everyone to set their phone alarms to go off at the same time to symbolise the time has come and encourage people to bring along drums and gongs to help us sound our voices.

“About 1500 local students participated in the previous climate strike in Lismore last March and the movement is gaining momentum.”

Ella O’Dwyer, 11, from St Carthage’s primary school is one of the students supportive of the strike and said ‘if the climate can change, why can’t we?’.

HSC student Grace O’Shannessy, 18, said she’ll also be at the Lismore protest.

“I’m striking for my future and the future of my loved ones,” she said.

While at least one local school has said it doesn’t support students taking time off from classes to attend the strike, Ruth said it was just a matter of time until the schools that don’t support students taking time off class changed their minds.

“It’s only a matter of time till things worsen enough till all schools say we all need to be on street and then supports students to do it and speak the truth about wanting something better for their future,” she said.

“We are concerned about social collapse and our ecosystems and that’s why we are taking to the street for a non-violent protest to get the attention of government to make decision about systemic change in the immediate future.

“We are headed now for a major emergency climate crisis and need to open our eyes. 

“Southern Cross University sent out an email saying it supports staff and students to be on the strike.

“We’ve been collaborating with the police and local council and they are supportive of this peaceful non-violent protest.”

While many businesses in Lismore are supportive of the strike, such as PowerMax Computers on Magellan Street, some businesses are worried that their deliveries and trade for the day will be disrupted.

PowerMax Computers owner Alex Clarke said he was supportive of his staff taking time off work to attend the strike and sees the action as an opportunity to bring about world change.

“It’s something we should have done 20 years ago,” Alex said. 

“I’m actually hoping it will bring more business in, but if it doesn’t, it doesn’t really matter because this issue is too important to ignore.”

Ruth said that 80% of local businesses they spoke to were supportive of the strike.

 “And others became more supportive when we had a chat with them,” she said.

 “The strike will bring people onto the street and it might even increase business because so many people will be here.

“Our intention is not to disrupt businesses making profit.”

Owner of R Gordon & Son Property Agents, Andrew Gordon, who’s business is located close to Magellan Street said he was concerned about the traffic flow being blocked on the street.

“Businesses are suffering enough without any interruptions like this,” he said. “People might buy drinks and food, but they may just turn up and then go home and I don’t see the benefit in it.

“Why not do it on Oakes Oval and send a message to the media?

"Everyone has right to protest, but not at other people’s expenses and disrupt cash flow.”

At the Lismore climate strike, there will be space for input from community members about sustainable solutions, including speeches, performances, ideas and information.

For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/2847150935358370/?ti=icl