Students and staff at UBCO gathered Thursday afternoon to join in global climate strikes that are taking place in over 150 countries.

"This emergency is not going to be solved by a sprint," said UBC Okanagan principal Deborah Buszard. "It is going to be a marathon, and you should all be sure that you are fit and ready to take on that marathon for our planet."

Organized by the UBCO student union, the strike took place in the university's central courtyard, with participants leaving classes and offices to show their support.

"It's a long journey – individual change, system change, corporate change, political change – none of these things are quick or easy. If they were, we would have done it already," said Buszard.

Student union vice-president Ali Poostizadeh believes climate change has not received enough attention in the province.

"We're really pushing for the City of Kelowna, the Province of B.C., to declare a climate emergency because we feel that leadership at all levels has to acknowledge that this is a real issue," said Poostizadeh.

Climate strikes have been happening in the Okanagan since last week, with another taking place at Kelowna City Hall today, from noon to 2 p.m.