Children march for change in climate demonstration through St Albans city centre

Hundreds of children and adults demanded climate action as they marched from the Clock Tower to St Albans Civic Centre.

Hundreds of children and adults demanded climate action as they marched from the Clock Tower to St Albans Civic Centre.

UK Student Climate Network Hertfordshire organised the protest as part of the Global Climate Strike, with parents up and down the country taking their kids out of school for the event.

The whole event was organised by a 15-year-old Beaumont School girl. She cannot be named for legal reasons, but said she was pleased with the turn-out.

She said: "This shows that St Albans cares - the children care, the businesses care, the adults care, our constituency cares so our MP should care.

"I think if you are not feeling scared for the future, you are not listening."

Chanting led by individual children could be heard throughout the city centre, with cries including: "What do we want? Climate justice! When do we want it? Now!" and "There is no Planet B!"

Also marching was Josh Kebale, 35, a communication manager for the Wildlife Trust. He said: "Climate changes isn't just something that happens in the Amazon. We are experiencing it now in wildlife and in the landscape.

"This time the wildlife cannot cope with the speed. That is why we are here doing this."

A team of staff from infrastructure design and builder Aecom group went to the march. Employee Danny Crew, 33, said: "We are here as we are part of the green team at work. We are here for climate change. We are trying to take action in our company to reduce our carbon footprint."

Mum-of-two Liza MacIntyre took her children out of St Peter's School for the protest.

She said: "More people need to be aware and action needs to be taken."

Suzanne Dolan and her daughter Jessica were protesting, and Suzanne said: "We are trying to stop the end of human civilization. It is important our children are involved and have a voice."

Jessica said: "I am doing a presentation at school about the environmental impact of beef later today."

The atmosphere throughout the protest remained calm, although there was a visible police presence.