How did the student strikes start?

The international student strikes began with one 16-year-old Swedish girl who took part in a lone protest against her government.

Swedish student Greta Thunberg held a protest last summer which has turned into a powerful global movement challenging politicians to act on climate change.

When instead of attending school in August she protested by herself outside of the Swedish parliament.

Students from all over the world have been holding strikes to bring the issue to light, many students believing that their future could be in jeopardy if not action is taken.

Greta Thunberg on her lone protest against climate change in 2018.

This young girl has launched a belief that although students are young they can have a voice for what they believe in, which if used can bring change.

Groups supporting striking for climate change action have now been formed across the world including: Youth Strike 4 Climate Change, Connect4Climate and School Strike 4 Climate.

It is said that in the world has to amend to combat climate change within the next 6-12 years otherwise there will be irreversible effects on the world from pollution.

However, former UN climate chief Christiana Figueres warned in 2017 that the next three years would be critical in stopping the worst effects of global warming.

Greta Thunberg is now an international figure for change she has taken part in a TED talk and continues to be a inspirational figure for students everywhere.

In her TED talk, Greta said: "No one is acting as if there is a crisis.

"We already have all the facts and solutions, all we have to do is wake up and change.

"Why should I be studying for a future that soon will be no more.

"We have had 30 years of pep talks and selling positive ideas, I am sorry but it doesn't work. The thing we need more than hope is action."