By SHEETAL SINGH

Melbourne’s students will shortly walk out of school to join thousands of their peers across the nation for a Global Climate Strike, to call on governments to take action on climate change.

The Melbourne Global Climate Strike, organised by School Strike 4 Climate, is expecting 13,000 people to rally at Treasury Gardens from 2pm.

Anjali Sharma, 15, one of the event organisers, said skipping school was the only way to get the attention of federal leaders. 

“We can’t vote currently so this our way of action,” she said. 

“Yes we are breaking rules and yes we are sacrificing school, however, we have chosen to sacrifice school to show how much climate action means to us.”

“We hope to send a resounding message to the Federal Government that we will not stand by in silence as they open new floodgates to new coal, oil and gas projects and worsen the global situation,” Ms Sharma said.

Thea Hamilton, 16, another event organiser, said the strike will be led by students but is open to everyone to join. 

“Climate strikes are calling for an action on climate at an international scale,” Ms Hamilton said. 

Students will be joined by more than 30 unions across Australia.

The Australian Council for Trade Unions (ACTU) and the Victorian Branch of Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) will strike against government inaction on climate change.

"This is extremely heartwarming and shows us as strikers that we have the support of many in the wider community who recognise our cause and stand in solidarity with us to demand climate action,” Ms Sharma said.

According to a statement released by the ACTU, “It is the working people and the poor, our families, communities and especially future generations who will bear the brunt of the inaction of our Federal Government”. 

“One of the fundamentals of unionism is the power of people joining together to stand up for justice,” the statement read.

“We have and must take a stand for our future when our government will not."

Protestors will march from Collins street to Exhibition street at 2pm today, finishing up at Flinders Street.