Youth mobilize support for global strikes
Thousands of people are signing up to take part in global climate strikes on the 20th + 27th September, and the “Week for Future” in between.
Large turnouts of people are expected in key locations across the world including New York, Santiago, Brussels, Paris, Johannesburg, Berlin and London.
Actions are taking place in Africa, Latin America, Pacific, Canada and the United States, Asia and in Europe.
The weeklong movement will surround the UN Climate Summit being held on the 23rd of September in New York, which aims to meet the climate challenge by accelerating actions to implement the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
“If, as people of faith we say that we believe in love, in compassion, in justice – then it follows that we must join this strike as surely as dawn follows the deepest darkness. Our children are calling to us. We must respond.” – Fletcher Harper, Executive Director, GreenFaith
In addition to people walking out of work to join strikes, marches and rallies, events include music concerts, mass bike rides, teach-ins, people’s assemblies, protests targeting fossil fuel companies, bike races and even a demonstration in someone’s living room!
The leadership of one of Germany’s largest unions is encouraging its over 2 million members to join the strikes. Italy’s largest union representing 5.5 million workers just announced it will mobilise its members on 27 September. Artists are getting involved too with creators like César Maxit and Gastón Mendieta putting forward new designs to promote the climate strikes.
The climate strikes movement, which was inspired by teenager Greta Thurnberg has spread rapidly across the world in the last 12 months. Strikers are demanding that governments step up to take urgent action to prevent catastrophic climate breakdown by phasing out fossil fuels and beginning the urgent transition to a sustainable, renewable energy powered future with climate justice and equity at its core.
“Next month, we must take collective action for climate justice as a unified force, around the world. If we do not act soon to stop fossil fuel development and secure money to adapt to devastating storms, there will be no one left in 50 years. I will leave work so that my community sees the power that such an action can have.” -Dorothea Balgetas, Teacher Philippines.
“I support the climate strike and the climate strikers because we have one planet to live on, we need to start the transition away from the fossil fuel industry and renewable energy sector. It means good transitional jobs for workers, it means good sustainable industry for future generations to come because we want to live on this planet for as long as possible.” -Ryan McGibbon Thompson Maritime Union of Australia
“Our movement continues to grow and we will not rest until we stop burning fossil fuels and until we begin a rapid energy revolution with equity, reparations and climate justice at its heart. This is why we support the incredible and brave young people from every corner of this globe who are demanding that we all rise together now.” – May Boeve, Executive Director, 350.org
“I will be striking next month in order to show politicians that we exist, and have a voice more powerful than any vote. We will not let them take our futures from us! I urge everybody who loves a young one to join our school climate strikes.”- Andrés Succar from Lebanon
“Climate change represents one of the principal challenges facing humanity in our day and poses a great threat to the dignity and rights of future generations. As such, Ecojesuit strongly supports the Global Climate Strike activities from 20 to 27 September 2019.” -Eco Jesuit
“When politicians won’t act to fix a problem or solve an injustice, the people must hold them accountable. The climate crisis is an energy problem, and an intergenerational injustice – and politicians are not addressing either. I support the climate strikers 100%.” -Mohamed Nasheed, former Maldives President.
