Thousands of Australians took to the streets in nine cities in Australia on Friday to protest the government's inaction on climate change and the bushfire crisis.
Bushfires have so far ravaged more than 6.3 million hectares, killing 27 people. Millions of animals have died, at least one animal species is feared extinct, and ecologists are concerned the rainforest may never grow back.
Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison has faced widespread criticism from the public for his ineffectual response to the ever-worsening bushfire crisis and his government's climate policies. Notably, his decision to go on holiday to Hawaii last month as the bushfires continued to blaze caused mass outrage.
On Friday, Australians voted with their feet and marched in cities across the countries urging their PM to resign. The protests — which took place in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and Perth — were organised by the national student climate organisation, Uni Students for Climate Justice. Several of the protests operated with the motto of "Sack Scomo".
Here's a look at some of the best signs from the protests.
"Maybe if it was called Father Nature, you'd give a shit," reads one sign.
Climate protesters in Sydney on Jan. 10, 2020.Credit: MOHAMMAD FAROOQ/AFP via Getty Images"We're protesting this Friday because we're outraged about our government's criminal negligence about the bushfire crisis, exacerbated by climate change," Uni Students for Climate Justice wrote on its Facebook page.
Participants hold placards as they take part in a demonstration in Sydney.Credit: MOHAMMAD FAROOQ/AFP via Getty Images"We are protesting to give a voice to the tens of thousands of people who want real action on climate change and real funding for relief services," the group added.
Tens of thousands of Australians rallied across cities as deadly climate-fuelled bushfires swept across the country.Credit: MOHAMMAD FAROOQ/AFP via Getty ImagesThe protesters have five key demands: relief and aid for bushfire-affected communities, money for firefighters, land and water sovereignty for indigenous people, an urgent transition to renewable energy, as well as a transition for fossil fuel workers.
"If we burn, you burn with us."Credit: PAUL BRAVEN/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockSome of the signs urged Morrison to resign, while others referenced his recent trip to Hawaii with his family.
Signs from the 'Sack ScoMo!'protest in Sydney, New South Wales.Credit: STEVEN SAPHORE/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockOther signs focused on the wildlife devastation wreaked by the bushfires.
"G'day, let's be cli-mates"Credit: STEVEN SAPHORE/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
"Aus gov = koala killers," reads one sign.Credit: MOHAMMAD FAROOQ/AFP via Getty Image"I want you to act like your house is on fire because it is," reads one sign at the Sydney protest, citing Greta Thunberg's Davos speech.
A protester at the Sydney rally.Credit: MOHAMMAD FAROOQ/AFP via Getty ImagesScientists are linking the increase in the severity of bushfires to climate change. For many years, scientists have warned about climate change's impact on Australian fire seasons.
Back in 2008, a major independent study projected that fire seasons "will start earlier, end slightly later, and generally be more intense". Prescient if not extremely worrying.
TopicsActivismSocial Good
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