STUDENTS in Claregalway taking part in the protest. Photo: Ray Ryan

Claregalway students join global movement on climate change

STUDENTS from Claregalway College joined others around Galway, Ireland and the world in leaving their classrooms today Friday to protest against the lack of action taken by world leaders against climate change.
The strike is part of a much larger initiative, ‘The Global Climate Strike for Future’, which is taking place in more than 50 countries globally this week.

Síobha Murphy (age 14) is a member of the Green Schools Committee at Claregalway College. She says students have been inspired to take part in the protest because of the actions of people like Greta Thunberg.
“We wish to stand in solidarity with those with the courage to call out those blind to the truth; namely, Greta Thunberg, a 16-year-old Swedish climate activist whose solitary strike became a global movement,” she said.
“The Paris Agreement has not been kept. The statistic has been given: if we don’t reduce our carbon pollution by 45 per cent by 2030 the effects done thus far to the environment will be irreversible. And we only have eleven years until 2030. In 2030, my peers and I will be in our mid-20s. Climate justice is needed, now.”
The Climate Change Group of Youth Work Ireland Galway also led a protest march in solidarity with the movement in Eyre Square.