This is why thousands of students are going on strike over climate change today

By Joe Cawthorn
Published 15th Feb 2019, 06:26 BST
Updated 15th Feb 2019, 07:33 BST
Thestrikes come in the wake of a UN report which warned that limiting global temperature rises to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels, beyond which climate impacts become increasingly severe, requires unprecedented action. PIC: PAThestrikes come in the wake of a UN report which warned that limiting global temperature rises to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels, beyond which climate impacts become increasingly severe, requires unprecedented action. PIC: PA
Thestrikes come in the wake of a UN report which warned that limiting global temperature rises to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels, beyond which climate impacts become increasingly severe, requires unprecedented action. PIC: PA
Thousands of youngsters are expected to go on strike from school on Friday as part of a global youth action over climate change.

Youth Strike 4 Climate organisers say strikes are taking place in 60 towns and cities across the country from Cornwall to the Scottish Highlands, in the face of "an alarming lack of Government leadership" on climate change.

But school leaders and Education Secretary Damian Hinds have warned students they should not miss lessons to take part in the strikes.

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The movement has already seen school strikes in Australia and European countries including Belgium, and has been inspired by teenager Greta Thunberg, who protests every Friday outside Sweden's parliament to urge leaders to tackle climate change.

Thestrikes come in the wake of a UN report which warned that limiting global temperature rises to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels, beyond which climate impacts become increasingly severe, requires unprecedented action. PIC: PAThestrikes come in the wake of a UN report which warned that limiting global temperature rises to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels, beyond which climate impacts become increasingly severe, requires unprecedented action. PIC: PA
Thestrikes come in the wake of a UN report which warned that limiting global temperature rises to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels, beyond which climate impacts become increasingly severe, requires unprecedented action. PIC: PA

The strikes come in the wake of a UN report which warned that limiting global temperature rises to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels, beyond which climate impacts become increasingly severe, requires unprecedented action.

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Governments urged to take rapid action to protect people from global warming

That includes cutting global carbon dioxide emissions by almost half within 12 years.

Students in the UK are demanding the Government declare a climate emergency and take active steps to tackle the problem, communicate the severity of the ecological crisis to the public and reform the curriculum to make it an educational priority.