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| Thousands join school strikes over climate change | Thousands join school strikes over climate change |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Thousands of young people are taking part in school strikes across Scotland and around the world to demand urgent action on climate change. | Thousands of young people are taking part in school strikes across Scotland and around the world to demand urgent action on climate change. |
| They are the latest in a series of strikes started a year ago by 16-year-old Swedish schoolgirl Greta Thunberg. | They are the latest in a series of strikes started a year ago by 16-year-old Swedish schoolgirl Greta Thunberg. |
| The protests have now spread across 150 countries, with Friday's action billed as the largest so far. | The protests have now spread across 150 countries, with Friday's action billed as the largest so far. |
| Events are taking place in all of Scotland's major cities, many towns and some islands including Iona and Skye. | Events are taking place in all of Scotland's major cities, many towns and some islands including Iona and Skye. |
| Organisers in Edinburgh said about 15,000 people were taking part, with the marchers taking 45 minutes to clear the assembly point at The Meadows. | Organisers in Edinburgh said about 15,000 people were taking part, with the marchers taking 45 minutes to clear the assembly point at The Meadows. |
| Thousands also gathered in Glasgow's Kelvingrove Park before setting off on a march which ended at the city's George Square. | Thousands also gathered in Glasgow's Kelvingrove Park before setting off on a march which ended at the city's George Square. |
| An aerial picture posted on Twitter by the Police Scotland showed the square full of demonstrators. | |
| The young protesters are calling for an end to the burning of fossil fuels. | The young protesters are calling for an end to the burning of fossil fuels. |
| One of those taking part in Glasgow, 12-year-old Meabh, told BBC Scotland she was particularly worried about global warming leading to rising sea levels. | One of those taking part in Glasgow, 12-year-old Meabh, told BBC Scotland she was particularly worried about global warming leading to rising sea levels. |
| "I used to live on the Western Isles - it has been eroding and sinking down into the sea. I think I'm most worried about that because in 100 years there may be no Western Isles," she said. | "I used to live on the Western Isles - it has been eroding and sinking down into the sea. I think I'm most worried about that because in 100 years there may be no Western Isles," she said. |
| Glasgow University student Anna Warren, 18, said adults were being encouraged to join young people at the protests. | Glasgow University student Anna Warren, 18, said adults were being encouraged to join young people at the protests. |
| "This is where we can all come together to call on the government to make changes. It is such a broad thing because it allows everybody to join, it allow everybody to come and help us, and join the movement," she said. | "This is where we can all come together to call on the government to make changes. It is such a broad thing because it allows everybody to join, it allow everybody to come and help us, and join the movement," she said. |
| Analysis by Kevin Keane, BBC Scotland environment correspondent | |
| It's no surprise there are upwards of 15 protests taking place across Scotland with many thousands in attendance. | |
| Here, climate change is firmly on the agenda with the Scottish government already committing to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045. That's five years ahead of the UK and one of the "most ambitious targets in the world," as the mantra goes. | |
| But for the 15,000 people here in Holyrood Park, just across from the Scottish Parliament, that's still not enough. Posters read "It's now or never" and "There is no planet B". | |
| In short, they want action immediately. But it's difficult for politicians here. Scotland has an oil and gas sector which props up its third biggest city. An instant end to using fossil fuels would devastate its economy. | |
| That makes the arguments much more nuanced. But not for the thousands attending these protests in the searing sun who see their own future being destroyed by what's happening today. | |
| Greta Thunberg, the Swedish teenager who has become a global figurehead on climate change, will be marching in New York after crossing the Atlantic by sailing boat. | Greta Thunberg, the Swedish teenager who has become a global figurehead on climate change, will be marching in New York after crossing the Atlantic by sailing boat. |
| She will address a climate summit at the UN General Assembly there next week. | She will address a climate summit at the UN General Assembly there next week. |
| Scotland's largest teaching union, the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS), has urged local authorities not to punish pupils who take part in the strikes. | Scotland's largest teaching union, the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS), has urged local authorities not to punish pupils who take part in the strikes. |
| General secretary Larry Flanagan said: "Whilst the EIS is not encouraging pupils/students to participate in anti-climate change strikes, we recognise that many will do so. | General secretary Larry Flanagan said: "Whilst the EIS is not encouraging pupils/students to participate in anti-climate change strikes, we recognise that many will do so. |
| "We believe that their right to do so should be respected and that participants should not be sanctioned or punished as a consequence. | "We believe that their right to do so should be respected and that participants should not be sanctioned or punished as a consequence. |
| "If we are to encourage our pupils to be confident individuals that effectively contribute to society on global themes including sustainability, we shouldn't seek to punish them when they campaign for global sustainability." | "If we are to encourage our pupils to be confident individuals that effectively contribute to society on global themes including sustainability, we shouldn't seek to punish them when they campaign for global sustainability." |
| Student absence | Student absence |
| The Scottish government said it was "pleased to see our young people actively engaging on the issue of climate change". | The Scottish government said it was "pleased to see our young people actively engaging on the issue of climate change". |
| But a spokesman said student absence was a matter for individual schools to consider. | But a spokesman said student absence was a matter for individual schools to consider. |
| He added: "The global climate emergency and a Green New Deal for Scotland are at the centre of our Programme for Government. | He added: "The global climate emergency and a Green New Deal for Scotland are at the centre of our Programme for Government. |
| "We are leading by example through bold actions. We are redoubling our efforts and we will end Scotland's contribution to global climate change by 2045." | "We are leading by example through bold actions. We are redoubling our efforts and we will end Scotland's contribution to global climate change by 2045." |
| Last month, Edinburgh councillors agreed to allow schoolchildren to take part in the protests for one authorised school day per year. | Last month, Edinburgh councillors agreed to allow schoolchildren to take part in the protests for one authorised school day per year. |
| And they said no punishment would be levelled at pupils or parents if they chose to strike over a longer period. | And they said no punishment would be levelled at pupils or parents if they chose to strike over a longer period. |
| However, the protesters have been banned from Princes Street - which was on their planned route, heading to the Scottish Parliament - as it would mean tram services having to stop. | However, the protesters have been banned from Princes Street - which was on their planned route, heading to the Scottish Parliament - as it would mean tram services having to stop. |
| Council officials said this would cost the local authority about £15,000 in damages, and would have a "large impact" on how people travelled to and from Waverley Station. | Council officials said this would cost the local authority about £15,000 in damages, and would have a "large impact" on how people travelled to and from Waverley Station. |
| They said the disruption was likely to continue for several hours after the march ended. | They said the disruption was likely to continue for several hours after the march ended. |
| 'Stand with them' | 'Stand with them' |
| Stop Climate Chaos Scotland, an umbrella organisation for 40 unions, faith groups and community groups, said its members would be "out in force". | Stop Climate Chaos Scotland, an umbrella organisation for 40 unions, faith groups and community groups, said its members would be "out in force". |
| Spokeswoman Kat Jones said: "The young strikers are bringing the voice of the future powerfully into the present day. | Spokeswoman Kat Jones said: "The young strikers are bringing the voice of the future powerfully into the present day. |
| "They describe the stark reality of climate breakdown and what it means for the world's future, their adulthood." | "They describe the stark reality of climate breakdown and what it means for the world's future, their adulthood." |
| Campaigning organisations Friends of the Earth Scotland and Global Justice Now will be closing their offices all day to participate in the protests. | Campaigning organisations Friends of the Earth Scotland and Global Justice Now will be closing their offices all day to participate in the protests. |
| Friends of the Earth Scotland climate campaigner Caroline Rance said: "Millions of schoolchildren across the world have been walking out of lessons every Friday to strike for climate action. | Friends of the Earth Scotland climate campaigner Caroline Rance said: "Millions of schoolchildren across the world have been walking out of lessons every Friday to strike for climate action. |
| "The children are marching for their future. We're proud to stand with them and urge everyone else who can to do the same." | "The children are marching for their future. We're proud to stand with them and urge everyone else who can to do the same." |