Environmental activists took to Dubbo streets on Friday to deliver a "crucial" message to the Morrison government.
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That message was to "stop throwing money at gas".
The annual event, School Strike for Climate, calls upon students to strike from school to protest alongside environmental activists urging governments nationwide to start taking action towards restoring the climate.
Dubbo Environment Group president Margaret McDonald said Dubbo citizens joined "tens of thousands" of students and supporters nationwide as part of the first national school strike since COVID-19.
The last School Strike for Climate was held in September of 2019.
"[The protesters are] demanding the Morrison Government says no to funding dangerous gas and coal projects, and instead invests in clean renewable energy, secure jobs and First Nations solutions to protect Country,' Ms McDonald said.
Locally, the annual event is organised by the Dubbo Environment Group and the School Strike For Climate network, with support from First Nations communities, unions, parents, and everyday Australians.
The message Dubbo protests are making is aimed at Prime Minister of Australia Scott Morrison and the Australian government.
Environmental activists were even more alarmed after the Prime Minister's announcement of $600 million to go towards a gas-fired power station.
"We want taxpayer funds spent on reducing emissions, not new gas-fired power stations. There was no money in the [2021] budget for renewable energy," Ms McDonald said.
"This is not the way to lead our country or to govern for the future of our children. The world has warmed by 1.5 degrees Celsius already. Australia needs to transition to net zero emissions by 2035 to align with the rest of the world and keep temperatures below 2 degrees Celsius. We can only do this by leaving fossil fuels in the ground and progressing rapidly to renewable energy."
Dubbo Environment Group took to Sir Roden Cutler Park, West Dubbo, on Friday morning to hand out free car banners for protesters to participate in a drive down the Newell Highway.
The banners comprised of messages including 'no coal seam gas', ' stop deforestation', 'save our reef', 'climate action now' and 'no CSG'.
Protesters and school strikers also took to Victoria Park on Friday morning on foot, bearing similar messages encouraging action against climate change on posters.
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