Students demand climate action and ‘No Cop-Outs at COP31’

About 400 students and supporters took to the streets of Gadigal Country/Sydney on October 24 to demand urgent climate action ahead of the COP31 climate conference in November, which is being co-hosted by Australia and Turkey.

The rally called for serious climate commitments, including no new or expanded coal and gas, binding emissions targets and a just transition for workers and communities.

Students gathered at Sydney Town Hall to hear musicians performing climate-related songs and from speakers, before marching to the NSW Labor Party headquarters.

Performances by the Sydney Knitting Nannas, Eva Diana and Gailla set an optimistic and energetic tone. 

They were followed by speakers, including Scott Franks, Wonnarua Elder and climate campaigner; Hannah Ferguson, founder of Cheek Media and independent candidate for Grayndler; Nanna Eury from the Knitting Nannas; Zack Schofield from Rising Tide; international human rights lawyer and climate activist Kavita Naidu; Ash, Aishling and Alissa, students from the Australian Youth Climate Coalition; and NSW Greens MLC Sue Higginson.

Naidu emphasised the importance of listening to Pacific communities who are on the frontline of the climate emergency. “For us, going beyond 1.5 degrees warming is a death sentence that we will not be quiet about.” 

She said addressing climate change can’t mean that Global South countries are exploited for the raw materials that are required for renewable technologies. “We reject all false solutions, including carbon offset and storage, nuclear energy, geoengineering and green or blue colonialism.

“We reject the dispossession of the land and ocean because of developed states need for transition … this is not just and equitable.” 

Ferguson said federal Labor had refused to consider a duty of care for young people. “We have a NSW premier who is in bed with the fossil fuel industry.” 

Higginson celebrated the establishment of the Great Koala National Park, which passed through parliament the previous day. “People power can win!” 

The rally was organised by Sydney Students for Climate (SSFC), a new coalition of students across Sydney who are concerned about climate inaction. It was MC’d by SSFC organisers Oscar Nellist and Lucy Millett, two students from the University of Sydney.

It was supported by at least 35 climate, student and social justice organisations, including Fridays for Future, the Sydney Knitting Nannas, Rising Tide, People’s Climate Assembly, Teachers for Climate, Bob Brown Foundation and many others.

It was also supported by independent and Greens MPs, including Greens leader David Shoebridge, independent MP for Bradfield Nicolette Boele, Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi and independent Senator David Pocock.