Four million people mobilised in 161 countries, to demand the truth be told and action that meets the scale of the challenge.

In Orange, 800 people attended, a ten-fold increase from the strike in March this year.

A five-minute speech by teenage activist Greta Thunberg, chastising world leaders for lack of action, repeating the phrase "how dare you?" went viral.

PHOTOS: Kinross Wolaroi School year 12 graduation ball, 2019

Public figures who minimised the need for action on climate change were being called out everywhere, including Prime Minister Scott Morrison who was photographed with President Trump and mining magnate Gina Rinehart in Washington, after he had neglected to join other world leaders at the UN Climate Summit.

This image incensed comments about ignorance, and irresponsibility.

An incredible shift has occurred in people's willingness to talk about climate change in one week.

I've seen numerous chat groups forming and an online petition (see Futuring Orange Facebook page), calling on the Australian Parliament to declare a climate emergency, rose from 7136 signatures to 24,218 signatures in the space of a half-hour.

The most common question I have heard since the climate strike is, "what can we actually do here in Orange?".

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This needs a detailed answer but the short one is, "so, so, much".

You can have an impact in every sphere of your life; in your home, workplace, schools and in local politics.

You need to access the truth from experts about the urgency of the climate crisis and why we need solutions in years, not decades, to avoid cataclysm.

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You will not get the truth from 68 per cent of newspapers in Australia.

Futuring Orange is hosting a series of public information meetings starting October 9, with local experts from the Department of Primary Industries and Charles Sturt University, including Q&A sessions.

Every Orange city councillor, our state and federal MPs will receive a personal invitation to these events, along with business, education and media leaders and will be open to the public.

Check the Futuring Orange Facebook page and website to find out more.

Governments at all levels must be forced into emergency mode, through constituents mobilising as they did last Friday.