Thousands of striking Sydney students are expected to converge on Martin Place on Friday, joining their peers around the country in demanding the government take action on climate change.

The students will call for Australian politicians to “take our futures seriously and treat climate change for what it is – a crisis” at the midday protest.

Students from Castlemaine in central Victoria started the Australian campaign. Credit:Eddie Jim

The campaign has already grabbed Canberra’s attention, with Prime Minister Scott Morrison taking aim at those students taking part in the protest during question time on Monday.

“What we want is more learning in schools and less activism in schools,” Mr Morrison said, in response to a question from Greens MP Adam Bandt.