An MSNBC reporter praised a group of “amazing” students who were “championing” climate change with a movement that encourages skipping school once a week.

In a report from New York City, Savannah Sellers described the scene as hundreds of students participated in a global movement called “Fridays for Future” which has reportedly seen climate change protests in over 500 cities worldwide.

(Video: MSNBC)

“In over 500 cities and 75 countries, these students are skipping school and taking to the streets,” host Stephanie Ruhle said introducing the segment Friday on “MSNBC Live.”

Ruhle struggled to read a quote which the movement is based on, finally admitting, “I can’t even understand this,” as she asked Sellers to expound on the protests.

“Fridays for Future is this idea of students skipping school on Friday to essentially say, ‘Look, why do I need to go to school if I don’t know the future based on the state of the planet?’” Sellers said. “That’s what these students have been doing for a long time. They have been skipping school.”

The reporter turned attention to three of the student protesters who went on to opine the “sacrifice” they were making and how it is imperative that they skip school to save the planet.

“I’ve been skipping school for 11 weeks now,” Ella, a 12-year-old student, said. “And it is a sacrifice that we have to make because we are missing important things, but we realize that if we don’t skip this school, we might not have a future. So we need to.”

“And even at your age, what does this have you thinking about sort of in a bigger picture? Is that how you thinking politically? What is that what you — what do you guys thinking about what you want to change in the world?” Sellers asked the young girls.

Jia admitted she was “scared” looking ahead to the 2020 elections as she feared politicians would not be taking action on the “climate emergency.”

“So it kind of makes me think that in the 2020 election, I’m scared for my future,” the 13-year-old said.

“I’m scared that the politicians won’t be declaring a climate emergency — won’t be taking climate action. That’s why, because I personally can’t vote, and I’m begging my parents to let — to vote for the candidate that wants climate action, that wants to make sure fossil fuel companies don’t have taxes on them. I want — like we — I want change, and I hope my parents do, too,” she added.

Sellers asked the girls “What type of steps besides skipping school” they were making in order to make some kind of difference.

“Well we have been reducing the use of plastic and straws and, you know, all this stuff that hurts the environment, not getting plastic bags when we don’t need to,” Ella replied.

“We’ve also been educating a lot of people at our school and informing people about what is going on with the climate,” she added.

“Well, it’s amazing that you guys are doing this at your age. Thank you so much for talking to us,” Sellers gushed.

“And there is also a group of students here championing this idea of debate focused solely on climate change with the candidates leading up to 2020,” she added.

The Fridays for Future movement is part of a global youth movement that was sparked by Swedish teenager Greta Thunberg who protested the government’s inaction on climate change by sitting outside parliament in Stockholm for two weeks last year.

But many, reacting to the latest protest highlighted by MSNBC on Friday,  have called into question the logic of having students regularly skip classes to make the case over a questionable “emergency.”

Kids skipping school to hold signs? The rise of the oceans seems slower already. #Science #Facepalm

— Doug Powers (@ThePowersThatBe) May 3, 2019

“A sacrifice” LMAO

— Amanda House (@AmandaLeeHouse) May 3, 2019

So instead of setting a goal to do something about it, like becoming an environment engineer, they just skip school…? Who is supposed to be worried about whose future with attitudes like this in NYC middle schools?

— Leah Jaroslawicz (@LeahJaros) May 3, 2019

According to their “leader” they don’t -won’t have a future… it’s all over in 10-12 years ✌️

— Baruch Sandhaus (@BaruchSandhaus) May 3, 2019

This is a sad state of affairs. 12 and 13 yr olds skipping school for months now. This is a whole other level of indoctrination. It’s scary that their parents would allow this.

— Wild MetricGangsta (@MarlieTweetin) May 3, 2019

Skip enough school and you won’t have a future either.

— Steve Gittleman (@ambaplmg) May 3, 2019

Skipping science classes too, I guess. ?‍??

— Jeff Lovegrove (@jefflovegrove) May 3, 2019

Aren’t parents held responsible for truancy??!

— Kathleen (@flyingkat) May 3, 2019

And these uneducated youngsters are our future? And the media is encouraging their ignorance? They are wasting money, resources, and their future economic well being by not getting their education so they can develop more renewable energy, machinery, etc.

— mfuller (@yolcuatmom) May 3, 2019

Same kids that in ten years will be asking the government to pay off their student loans. Oh wait, we’ll all be dead in ten years. Never mind.

— Olivia ? (@OliviaVivianne) May 4, 2019

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Frieda Powers

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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.

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