The island’s largest strike against climate change was held outside Tynwald, with protestors demanding authorities speed up their response to the ’emergency’.

Various groups took to Douglas where they displayed signs, shouted chants in unison and encouraged passersbys to honk their car horns in support.

They were protesting in response to the Manx government’s ’lack of urgency’ towards its declaration of a climate emergency, citing its goal of the island becoming carbon neutral by 2050.

They believe it should be brought forward to 2035, with some saying it should be as early as 2025.

Organised by the Isle of Man Student Climate Network, which saw the support of the Isle of Man Climate Change Coalition and the island branch of Extention Rebellion, the event was part of a global effort as millions demonstrated for climate change action on Friday.

One of the organisers, Archibald Elliott, a pupil from Castle Rushen High School, told the Examiner: ’This strike shows the amount of support in general, it’s not just the student community. It also shows how important they see climate change.

’Having the goal as 2035 will give the government less leeway.’

Ciara Sowerby, another organiser who has recently left Ballakermeen High School for university, said the 2035 goal will ’improve our chances’ of making a difference to the issue.

She believes a Green New Deal should be introduced here, aimed at creating a sustainable economy that is environmentally-friendly.

’It’s a big point of contention in the US with groups around the world trying to tailor it,’ she said.

’This could include renewable energy with green technology being created that would lead to more jobs. For instance you would need turbine engineers and other specialists.’ Other ’demands’ include: an accurate climate change curriculum, divestment from fossil fuels and free public transport.

Devon Watson, a member of the CCC, is the spokesman of the Fare Free Campaign which demands that public transport is free for all.

He said: ’It’s about bringing innovative policies to the island.

’There are two main reasons to push this. One includes giving an economic hand up to people at the bottom. Taking a bus from Ramsey to Douglas and back is really expensive for single mothers with kids.’

He added that fewer cars would not only be better for the planet, but it would be safer for young and disabled people and would cut down on road congestion.

Many students came from schools across the island to lobby at the doors of Tynwald and talk to MHKs who were there on the day. Some took buses into Douglas during their lunch break and back again in time for lessons.

Evie Hickey, nine, travelled in from Bunscoill Ghaelgagh, St John’s. She saidshe has concerns about the extinction of animals and rising temperatures. ’It’s about trying to stop that from happening,’ she said.

Her mum Sarah, from Peel, added: ’I work for the Manx Wildlife Trust and we’re supporting this. It’s important that the government realises how many people are interested in climate change. Whether the government actually follows through with its goals is still to be seen.’

Extinction Rebellion Isle of Man (XR IOM) also took part on the day. It originally formed in response to ’island-wide concern with the lack of urgency the Isle of Man Government is displaying on the recently declared Climate Emergency’.

A spokesman said: ’We demand that the government acts now and works with institutions to communicate the urgency of the need for change.

’The government must reverse biodiversity loss, reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2025 and work to mitigate the effects of climate change.

’We believe that it is necessary for the government to create and be led by the decisions of a citizens’ assembly (a public jury) on climate and ecological justice and we urge the government to establish this without delay.’

They added that the island has an opportunity to be a world leader in renewable electricity generation and climate mitigation strategies.