SCHOOLCHILDREN, parents, councillors, protest groups and grannies took a stand against climate change as they joined in today's ‘Global Climate Strike’.

Gathering on the steps outside Skipton Town Hall they came armed with homemade, colourful placards and banners, shouting out slogans such as ‘climate action now’, ‘We’d be in school in the Earth was cool’ and ‘We can still fix this’ - a quote from the Swedish teenager, Greta Thunberg, who is credited with raising global awareness of the risks of climate change.

Children sang songs and chanted, and several children and adults took it in turns to speak about what they felt should and could be done to help reverse damage to the planet.

One teenager spoke passionately about how instead of fixating on Brexit, politicians should be talking about the real crisis facing the planet,while others called on those older than themselves to act now to make sure they had a future.

The gathering, which was matched across the world with millions taking to the streets, was the idea of a nursery school which wanted to give its children a chance to speak out, without having to travel into Leeds.

Katie Birks, of Plastic Free Skipton, said it was a very well attended event, with the nursery children singing Children of the World, which included the lyrics:’Join together, let our hands circle the Earth. Join together, remembering all that it’s worth.’

After about an hour, the crowd dispersed peacefully, watched by Skipton police and members of the town council staff,. Children returned to school, some to continue with more events. Students at Skipton Girls High School are planning to record their own climate crisis song to be presented to Skipton MP Julian Smith.

One proud parent said: “Its been inspiring to see so many young people having the courage to stand up and talk about something they so obviously feel so strongly about. It is totally wrong to think children don’t care about what is going on around them, this proves it. I am full of admiration for them.”

Green Party councillor, Andy Brown, addressed the crowd and congratulated them all for turning up. Afterwards, he said: “It was fabulous to see so many people of all ages turn out to express their concerns over the extent of the climate emergency that we all face.

“In the morning around 120 folk turned up in Skipton with another 40 or so coming to the Settle event in the afternoon and many more travelled to Leeds.

“To hear children from schools speaking with passion and confidence about the risk to their future and the importance of us all acting to reduce the use of fossil fuels was fantastic.

“Science sticks to facts not opinions. The level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is now measuring on average at 405 parts per million. Before humans began burning fossil fuels it peaked at 300. It has never been this high since the dinosaurs and science proves that CO2 retains heat. We are running a giant experiment with our children’s futures. The least we can do is listen to the scientists and crack on with urgent action.”