Youth Around the World Strike for Global Action
AFP/Getty Images
Young demonstrators hold placards as they attend a climate change protest organised by “Youth Strike 4 Climate”, opposite the Houses of Parliament in central London on February 15, 2019. – Hundreds of young people took to the streets to demonstrate Friday, with some of them having gone on strike from school, as part of a global youth action over climate change. (Photo by Ben STANSALL / AFP) (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images)
October 10, 2019
Young demonstrators hold placards as they attend a climate change protest organised by “Youth Strike 4 Climate”, opposite the Houses of Parliament in central London on February 15, 2019. – Hundreds of young people took to the streets to demonstrate Friday, with some of them having gone on strike from school, as part of a global youth action over climate change. (Photo by Ben STANSALL / AFP) (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images)
With temperatures continuing to rise and the nation’s adult population seemingly refusing to acknowledge the crisis, the youth of today have been forced to become increasingly conscious of climate change and the impact it has on their future. While younger generations are making themselves heard, the impact is not great enough; adults need to be a part of the conversation for change to take place.
On September 20th, just three days before global leaders were to come together for the climate change summit, the largest scale international strike was held to deliver a message: something needs to be done.
Millions of young people and adults were absent from their classes and jobs to march for a change. The protest was stated to involve all 50 states of America and at least 150 countries.
Drawing inspiration from past social protests, such as women’s suffrage and other civil rights movements, this event was a peaceful protest designed to push society to face the facts they have so conveniently been able to ignore.
Despite the immense turnout, there is still no meaningful large scale conversations happening. Not only are the masses attempting to make noise and change, but scientists themselves are even trying to bring attention to the problem.
A little under a year ago, the world’s leading climate scientists issued a warning that time is running out to reverse global warming effects that could lead to our eventual extinction. There are examples of these effects across the world, from fires overtaking the amazon forest, to a surplus of hurricanes in the Atlantic.
Older generations disregard this warning as yet another “end of the world” prediction, while the younger generation views it as a detrimental threat to their future.
This protest was a cry of help from youth. They do not have the power to change anything, so they are begging and pleading for adults and leaders to acknowledge the problem and make strides towards a solution.
Seeing the mess left of our world, 16-year-old Greta Thunberg decided it was time to take a stand. She began to strike in 2018, and as others joined in, her voice grew louder and louder. This Friday she doing yet another strike in Denver, putting more time and more effort into these protests.
Other teenagers are worrying about college, relationships, and figuring out their place in the world, but Thunberg would rather devote her life to an issue that isn’t hers to worry about.
However, the younger generations are not responsible for the detriment of our Earth, so why are they doing all of the work to repair it? Adults should be at the forefront of these protests. Adults should be pushing the boundaries of the wealthy who have the resources to enact change. Adults should be doing whatever they can to protect the world that their children live in.