​The entire student body at Saint Mary's Academy in Edmundston participated in a global climate strike action event on Friday, Sept. 27, marching, carrying posters and working to make their community a better place to live.

"They wanted their voices heard," said Principal Julie Michaud. "They were told the story of Greta and wanted to make a difference. They wanted to walk and attach an action to the cause."

Michaud said students cleaned up litter while doing their march in the community, a gesture to take better care of the earth. 

"Grade 7 student Mya Caron decided to do more than just march. She started picking up garbage. Next thing we knew, people walking near her joined in and helped out. It was a great initiative and a great job by everyone who took part."

Millions were taking to the streets in roughly 150 countries around the world on Sept. 27 for a global strike demanding world leaders gathering at a UN climate summit to adopt urgent measures to avert an environmental catastrophe.  The worldwide strike was inspired by 16-year-old Swedish activist Greta Thunberg.

Thunberg, who soared into prominence after sailing across the Atlantic in an emissions-free yacht ahead of the summit, was in New York to headline a massive rally in Lower Manhattan ahead of an upcoming climate summit at the headquarters of the United Nations.​ She has become an iconic world figure in the fight against climate change.

Shown in the photo below are Joey Berube, Kayla O'Neil, Megan Eccleston, Wiliams Awona, Kobe Boucher, Tyler Clavette, Louanne Thibault, Nahla Rose Deschenes and Tony Poirier.