They may be too young to vote, but that did not stop hundreds of Launceston school students from sending a message to politicians on a local, state, federal and international level: "We have a voice".
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More than 500 people gathered at the School Strike 4 Climate in Prince's Square on Friday, organised by a group of students from Launceston College, St Patrick's, Launceston Church Grammar and Scotch College.
They had never met each other before coming together to organise the rally, and Launceston College Grade 12 student Anna Roberts said they were amazed at the show of solidarity.
Watch some of the speeches below:
She told the crowd their actions were being noticed by politicians - and it was making a difference.
"They’re watching, they’re seeing and they’re listening because they have no other choice. They can no longer ignore us," Anna said.
"We are everywhere, from us here in little Launceston all the way to Greta Thunberg in Sweden.
"And we are going to continue to be everywhere because guess what, Scott Morrison? We know you want to hush this over and put us back in the classrooms, but as you clearly do not realise, activism is learning.
"Climate change is worse than homework, and we actually do understand the importance of education because that is why we are here striking for our future in school time.
"We value our education, but also because we value our planet so much we are willing to sacrifice our education for it.
"We are willing to sacrifice a little part of our future so that this earth can still have one."
Anna said they value the future of the planet so much that they were willing to sacrifice a few hours of their schooling to make their voice heard.
The office numbers of Australia's political leaders were shared around, and speeches touched on the science of climate change - from the impact of increasing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and ocean acidification, to Australia's role in both exporting and burning coal, and the scientific consensus.
Joseph Savva, a Grade 12 student at Launceston Church Grammar School, said students were making up their own minds without any co-opting by teachers or parents.
He said the only time it was mentioned in the classroom was in Grade 10 as part of a broader study on the climate and how heat travels - a common response when students were asked by The Examiner.
"Even if teachers wanted to co-opt us to believe this - which they’re not - it wouldn’t make any difference because we go out and research for ourselves. We find out the facts for ourselves," Joseph said.
"Definitely no one has been telling us what to do."
Students make three demands of Australia's politicians
School students taking part in the strike action across Australia had three demands: Stop Adani, stop the use of fossil fuels, and transition to 100 per cent renewable energy by 2030.
St Patrick's College Grade 11 student Gabrielle Dewsbury said humans had the knowledge and technology to move to renewable energy, so there was no need to wait any longer.
"It's an achievable goal," she said.
"It’s important that we can be sustainable across Australia, that we lower our own carbon emission and that we can move forward - youth and adults alike.
"Let's have some action."
Launceston was one of 50 cities and regional centres across Australia to host climate action on Friday as part of a global movement in 90 countries, including thousands in Hobart.
Premier would prefer students stay in class
Premier Will Hodgman believed students would have been better served spending their Fridays in class, rather than taking part in the school strike for climate.
He said he could not support students missing school.
"I'd prefer Tasmanian students on a school day to be at school," he said.
"I certainly think we should always listen to the views of young people because their future is in our hands, and I strongly encourage young Tasmanians - including my own children - to stand up for what they believe in and for what is important to them.
"This is a reminder of that.
"My preference would certainly be for Tasmanian school students on a school day to be at school."
Lord mayors from Adelaide, Hobart, Darwin, Melbourne and the ACT Chief Minister met in Hobart on Friday to urge national action on climate change.
Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said the federal government needed to show leadership.
"Cities are concerned about the recent spate of extreme weather events we have had nationally," she said.
"We need more specific attention from the Federal Government to prepare our cities for a changing climate that protects the people living, working and visiting them.”