A NEWTOWN environmental campaigner says “denial is no longer an option” on climate breakdown, as school pupils and students walked out of lessons once again last month.

More than 1.4 million young people around the world took part in school strikes for climate action in May, according to environmental campaigners.

Speaking ahead of the action, climate strike organiser Jasmin Jones said her generation now faced a fight for its future.

“I cannot see how anyone can doubt the importance of this issue. Society must change if my generation and further future generations stand any chance of having a future for our Earth,” she said.

“We are a generation which has been provided with a constant awareness of the irreversible damage we are going to face.

“Scientists say that doubling CO2 levels in the atmosphere from pre-industrial levels will result in the global average surface temperature to rise between 1.5 and 4.5 degrees Celsius. This is not following what others believe, this is following facts.

“So was it surprising that by the year 2019, when 13.45 million square kilometres of Arctic sea ice has melted due to the 1 degree of global warming, students across the globe walked out of their education to unite and demand action before it’s too late?”

Former Green Party Leader Caroline Lucas praised the actions of the students: “Ecological breakdown is not some distant problem. These young people will live their lives in its shadow.

“The Government has, rightly, declared a climate emergency. But that’s just the first step. We need a major investment in renewable energy. We must do this, and I hope young people ensure we do.”