Thousands of people are joining student protests right across the country calling for action on climate change.

It is part of a worldwide push to get governments and businesses to make real efforts to tackle the crisis.

Millions of people are taking part in the demonstrations in around 150 different countries.

In Ireland there are protests planned in 60 towns and cities - with major demonstrations taking place in Dublin, Galway, Limerick and Cork.

Organisers expect around 20,000 students to take part in the protests.

📢🌿 Hundreds of students are gathering at Custom House Quay in Dublin calling for more action on climate change 🌿📢

It’s one of the 60 events happening across the country with millions expected to take part around the world pic.twitter.com/FTRYDO1cED

— Stephen Murphy (@StephenMNews) September 20, 2019

"A better place"

These students in Dublin told Newstalk that they are just trying to "make our world a better place."

"If we didn't do this, we would be in school for no reason. We won't have a future unless something is done. We need to change."

"We are being prepped for future we might not have," said another. "So we have to do something about that."

Nine-year-old Elin Carlsson at the Climate Strike protest in Dublin, 20-09-2019. Image: Leah Farrell/RollingNews

Demonstrators at the Climate Strike protest in Dublin, 20-09-2019. Image: Killian Ginnity/Newstalk

Demonstrators at the Climate Strike protest in Dublin, 20-09-2019. Image: Killian Ginnity/Newstalk

This teacher from Skerries in Dublin said it was a no brainer to let her students attend.

"It is so important because our generation has made a mess of it," she said. "All we can do is educate the kids on what to do now."

We joined up with other primary schools in Dublin 9 and 11 for climate change action #stopclowningaround #strikeforclimatechange @greenparty_ie pic.twitter.com/pmrXCclZd0

— Glasnevin ETNS (@GlasnevinETNS) September 20, 2019

This mother in County Clare said she is proud of her children for getting involved.

"It is really important that there is a future for them to look forward to - instead of worrying what state the world will be in when they grow up," she said.

"That is why we are her to support them in every way. I think they are wonderful. May the movement continue to grow."

🌎 Millions of students around the world have walked out of school to join climate change protests 🌎

They’re happening in 60 towns and cities across Ireland.

In Dublin, hundreds of demonstrators are marching towards Government Buildings👇#ClimateStrike pic.twitter.com/xMwUBQXtjW

— Stephen Murphy (@StephenMNews) September 20, 2019

"Urgency"

The Minister for Climate Action and the Environment Richard Bruton said young people are leading the way in "highlighting the urgency of taking climate action."

He insisted that he has "heard the voices of those protesting today."

"Climate disruption is the biggest challenge facing the planet," he said.  "We must work together and be ambitious now, while we still have the chance."

The Minister is today travelling to New York ahead of next week's crunch UN Climate Summit. He said the trip offers the opportunity to bring the National Mitigation Plan to the global stage.

Great to join #ClimateStrike #dublin calling for climate action now with colleagues from @IDEAIreland and #developmenteducation pic.twitter.com/eNTQMGdhpk

— Frank Geary (@frank_geary) September 20, 2019

'Unfit for purpose'

The protests come just a day after the High Court  recognised the severity of the climate crisis – but ruled that it cannot "second guess" the Government over its climate policy.

In a statement, Extinction Rebellion said the court's 'failure to hold the Government to account'  made today's protest all the more important.

Demonstrators take part in the Climate Strike protest in Dublin, 20-09-2019. Image: Leah Farrell/RollingNews

It said the Government's plan is "is wholly inadequate and widely regarded as not fit for purpose."

"We are speeding towards a cliff and are rapidly running out of time to change course," it said.

"We can no longer wait for other people to save us."

Greta Thunberg

The climate strike movement was started by teen activist Greta Thunberg who last year made her way to Swedish Parliament every Friday to hold solo protests instead of attending class.

She is currently in the US ahead of next week's UN Climate Action Summit in New York.

On Wednesday, she told the US Congress climate crisis committee that it is time for lawmakers to engage with young people - and tell the truth about the climate crisis.

Climate activist Greta Thunberg speaks to the press outside the US Capitol in Washington DC, 17-09-2019. Image: Reynolds Stefani/CNP/ABACA/ABACA/PA Images

Her submitted testimonial to the committee was just eight sentences long.

"My name is Greta Thunberg," she said.

"I have not come to offer prepared remarks at this hearing; I am instead attaching my testimony.

"It is the IPCC Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C [SR1.5] which was released on October 8th  2018.

"I am submitting this report as my testimony because I don’t want you to listen to me.

"I want you to listen to the scientists. And I want you to unite behind the science. And then I want you to take action."