VIDEO: Young people across Scotland take part in climate change demonstrations as part of worldwide day of action

Thousands of young people across Scotland have taken to the streets in a second worldwide day of action against climate change.

School pupils and students took time out of classes across the country to gather and make their voices heard.

Demonstrations have taken place in Glasgow’s George Square and outside the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh.

There were also gatherings planned for Aberdeen, Stirling and Inverness.

Young people gather to make their voices heard in George Square, Glasgow

The demonstrators were undeterred by the changeable weather

It follows last month’s global youth strike, which saw young people across the world follow the lead of Nobel prize-nominated Swedish teenager Greta Thunberg in skipping school to demonstrate.

In Glasgow, youngsters started arriving in George Square from around 11am, marching in with colourful, inventive placards.

They gathered in the middle of the city centre square, chanting demands for action on an issue critical to their future.

Signs included “There is no Planet B” and “The climate is changing, why aren’t we?”.

As more people arrived, a ceilidh featuring a mass strip the willow even broke out, with a band playing music to raise spirits after a torrential downpour.

Glasgow University student Marianne Mylchreest said that the weather proved action was needed.

The 20-year-old said: “It was sunny five minutes ago and now it’s raining. If that doesn’t tell you something has to be done I don’t know what will. We’re in Scotland but that’s insane.

“The youth in Glasgow is really involved in climate change. I saw the big event on Facebook and thought I’d come along and support the cause.

“I passed here last month when it was on and there was a great crowd and atmosphere so I thought I’d come along this month.

“We’re out here saying that there’s not enough being done so we’re trying to get people to actually make a difference.

“It’s incredible – schools are coming out, unis are coming out, people that have kids are coming out, there’s dogs here, it’s just great.”

Large number of schoolchildren outside the Scottish Parliament this morning calling for action to tackle climate change #ClimateStrike pic.twitter.com/vv4mWUeMda

— Lewis McKenzie (@LewisMcKenzie94) March 15, 2019

Six-year-old Anna Arbuckle said she joined the George Square demonstrators “to stop the ice from melting”.

Protesting alongside her were older sister Lucy, holding a sign saying “This is my future – act now and stop climate change”, and Chloe Barker – both aged 10.

Lucy said: “The people in power aren’t taking control of the situation and we need to stop it from happening, otherwise our world will heat up and all the ice will melt and there’ll be no place for the polar bears and penguins.

“I came here last time as well and we saw it on the news, I said to my mum ‘we have to go, we’re responsible’.

“It’ll be our future, not the leaders of our country’s future, right now.”

Asked if she would one day be a future leader of the country, she said: “My granny says I will, but I’m not sure.”

Scottish Greens MSPs Patrick Harvie and Ross Greer were amongst those showing their support at the rally.

Mr Greer said: “We tell our young people to be responsible citizens and this is an amazing example of responsible citizenship.”

Also at George Square was Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard, who said: “Many of the people here on this protest don’t have a vote but they’ve got a voice and that needs to be heard.”

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted: “I send my best wishes to #youthstrike4climate – Scotland is leading the world in tackling climate change and we must harness the energy of our young people to challenge ourselves, and others, to go further.”

A poll ahead of the walkouts suggested a majority of the British public supported students who first ditched lessons and lectures for demonstrations on February 15 to call for greater climate action.

Edinburgh City Council and many schools said that pupils would not face punishment for taking the day off to attend the events.