Carbon emissions around the globe have hit a record high thereby contributing to global warming. There is no time like the present to raise awareness about the climate crisis and urge governments all over the world to implement dedicated climate laws. And that is exactly what 16-year-old activist and Nobel prize nominee Greta Thunberg is doing.
She has mobilised school students to join hands and go on a climate strike starting today. The last leg of the strike will be in New York where she will lead the way to the United Nations headquarters with the aim of convincing world leaders gathering at the UN Climate Action Summit to take immediate steps against the crisis.
Tomorrow we strike back!
Global Climate Strike September 20-27th:
5225 events
In 156 countries
On all 7 continents
And counting!
Find your local strike or register your own at https://t.co/G06WbXNvl1
Spread the word and see you in the streets!#FridaysForFuture #ClimateStrike pic.twitter.com/E6MSYFsqug— Greta Thunberg (@GretaThunberg) September 19, 2019
Students are missing school with or without their teacher’s permission and some offices are also encouraging the adults to participate by turning on the fire alarm. The Guardian quoted Leila Koita, an 11-year-old protestor in Edinburgh saying,
“This is our Earth and our Future. We need to take care of it.”
In India, the strike is seeing participation from people in Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Assam. Students are turning up in huge numbers and asking lawmakers as well as corporate houses to stop making excuses and fight against global warming.
Children and young activists in Delhi join #GlobalClimateStrike inspired by @GretaThunberg to secure #ClimateJustice and sustainable future for all. pic.twitter.com/s1uDr86SBh
— Greenpeace India (@greenpeaceindia) September 20, 2019
#ClimateStrike in Assam, India. #GlobalClimateStrike @GretaThunberg pic.twitter.com/PiTd3AkPAA
— Mowsam Hazarika 🌾মৌচম হাজৰিকা (@mowsamhazarika1) September 20, 2019
Al Jazeera quoted Delhi student Asheer Kandhari saying,
“I have come to this protest today because I live in the world’s most polluted city and our government is doing nothing to change that.”
Rallies are being undertaken in Bali, Sydney, Japan, Philippines, Berlin, London and many other places. The strike has people from all professions coming together and holding signs like ‘summer is coming’, ‘adopt a tree’, ‘one planet, one chance’ and ‘so bad even an introvert is here’.
Medics join tens of thousands of climate strikers in London. “The climate crisis is a health crisis… we are running out of time.” pic.twitter.com/pDXL7jF9OP
— Matthew Taylor (@mrmatthewtaylor) September 20, 2019
This is the Sydney #ClimateStrike. Today is going to be incredible. pic.twitter.com/Ed2jt0YA9O
— Hannah Martin 💜 (@Hannah_RM) September 20, 2019
Ok, Meanjin/ Brisbane #ClimateStrike, I see you. 😍 pic.twitter.com/b4WwtXBFn1
— Michael Berkman (@mcberkman) September 20, 2019
#ClimateStrike it is no longer save the children, the children are saving us.
— Nyadol Nyuon 🐯 (@NyadolNyuon) September 20, 2019
Unions will support the fight against climate change to help protect the planet.
And we'll make sure that workers' voices are at the heart of the transition.
Solidarity with those taking action today, and well done to the young people leading the way. #ClimateStrike pic.twitter.com/pZXiNaIrqF
— Frances O'Grady (@FrancesOGrady) September 20, 2019
One planet – one chance! #ClimateStrike#fridaysforfuturejapan #fridaysforfuturetokyo pic.twitter.com/u2lAHbY67x
— Greenpeace Japan (@gpj_english) September 20, 2019
Go #Hobart – huge gathering of young, old, workers & dogs for #ClimateStrike soo many school children !!! pic.twitter.com/DEgzoIjW4C
— Justine Shaw (@justine_d_shaw) September 20, 2019
I feel extremely seen #ClimateStrike #schoolstrike4climate pic.twitter.com/8aaNnLuuJJ
— Joey Nicita ☀️ (@JoeyNicita) September 20, 2019
Views from my office building. Biggest protest I have ever seen. So proud and wish I could be down there #schoolstrike4climate pic.twitter.com/OKx7prSfCS
— denise 🎶 (@den7seven) September 20, 2019
Young people here and across the world are making it impossible to ignore the environment and climate emergency.
This is the wonderful youth #ClimateStrike in my constituency – now I'm on my way to the main London demonstration. pic.twitter.com/GI1AniUnpb
— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) September 20, 2019
According to CNN, employees of Facebook, Google, Amazon and Microsoft are also going to support the climate movement. Some tech stores have announced that they will remain closed due to the “climate emergency”. World leaders, are you listening?