People worldwide poured into the streets Friday for a youth-led climate strike that aimed to pressure global governments to step up their efforts to tackle the planetary emergency at a key United Nations summit scheduled to start Monday.
"Striking is not a choice we relish; we do it because we see no other options."
—Youth leaders
"Striking is not a choice we relish; we do it because we see no other options," youth climate leaders Greta Thunberg of Sweden, Luisa Neubauer of Germany, and Angela Valenzuela of Chile wrote Friday in an op-ed for Project Syndicate.
"We have watched a string of United Nations climate conferences unfold," they added. "Countless negotiations have produced much-hyped but ultimately empty commitments from the world's governments—the same governments that allow fossil fuel companies to drill for ever-more oil and gas, and burn away our futures for their profit."
Youth strikers have no plans to slow down. World leaders everywhere, take note: "Our message is simple: the eyes of all future generations are upon you. Act accordingly." https://t.co/MY40YJgxFC #climatestrike
— 350 dot org (@350) November 29, 2019
Thunberg, whose solitary protests outside the Swedish Parliament last year led to the global Fridays for Future movement, is currently sailing from the United States to Europe for the U.N. Climate Change Conference, or COP 25. The summit, which runs through Dec. 13, was moved from Santiago, Chile to Madrid, Spain in late October.
Reuters reported Friday that "Thunberg had been due to join a student strike in Lisbon, but her environmentally friendly voyage across the Atlantic from New York by yacht was hit by high winds, delaying her by a few days."
However, the 16-year-old Swede's absence did not deter locals from striking. Marianna Louca, 14, told Reuters that "we wish she'd been here, but the movement has to carry on without her. We've got to send our message and pressure politicians ahead of the climate summit."
Finally got to march with #ExtinctionRebellion in my hometown which, like many, is highly endangered by the #ClimateEmergency! What do we want? #ClimateJustice. When do we want it? #now. #FridaysForFuture #Lisbon pic.twitter.com/5uTIxdOSNV
— Telma Laurentino (@TelmaLaurentino) November 29, 2019
According to Fridays for Future's map that tracked the latest round of demonstrations, more than 2,000 strike events were planned around the world Friday.
Today youth strikers around the world are mobilising again in a Global #ClimateStrike.
It's not too late to find a strike near you at https://t.co/Oo0tsyEgTM
If you're looking for resources this climate strike, you can also head to https://t.co/MTIAHxZ9sN pic.twitter.com/Obi5L2O76j
— 350 dot org (@350) November 29, 2019
The protests kicked off in Australia—parts of which faced "catastrophic" bushfires in recent weeks that provoked intense demands from the public and progressive politicians that the country's Liberal-led coalition government ramp up its response to the climate crisis.
Ahead of a demonstration at the Liberal Party's Sydney headquarters Friday, Shiann Broderick, a teenager from Nymboida whose family home was destroyed in the fires, sent a message to Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison: "Your thoughts and prayers are not enough."
"People are hurting," Broderick said in a statement. "Communities like ours are being devastated. Summer hasn't even begun."
There's another global #ClimateStrike happening today, starting in Australia where thousands of young people sat in outside political party offices in Sydney & around the country to demand action.pic.twitter.com/JiCDhqEYWh
— Dr. Lucky Tran (@luckytran) November 29, 2019
Thousands of Australian students kick off global #ClimateChange protests https://t.co/lPZNn0p0EU #ClimateStrike pic.twitter.com/iLVEfiaFLP
— Reuters (@Reuters) November 29, 2019
Fridays for Future protesters demonstrated outside an incineration plant in New Delhi, India, toting signs that read "Stop the monster incinerator" and "Don't burn garbage wet or dry. Don't make landfills in the sky."
WHAT DO WE WANT!!?
CLIMATE ACTION!
WHEN DO WE WANT IT?
NOW!
Protest against the Okhla Waste to Pollution Plant in New Delhi #GlobalClimateStrike @fridays_india @GretaThunberg @ExtinctionR @Greenpeace @Fridays4future @ExtinctionR pic.twitter.com/9iGv5RUWNe— Aman Sharma (@Amansha24) November 29, 2019
In India,the government produce energy by polluting the city.All the waste is burned to produce energy and what's leftover is waste, toxic fumes and more emissions.#FridaysForFuture outside incineration plant, New Delhi#ClimateStrike
Via @johnpauljos
— Greenpeace India (@greenpeaceindia) November 29, 2019
Protesters from various cities and countries across the globe carried signs that featured calls for swift climate action, some written in English. In Hong Kong, activists' signs read, "Stop denying the planet in dying" and "The seas are rising, and so are we." In Thailand, signs declared that "Climate change is class war" and "It's our future."
Hong Kong joining the #climatestrike! “The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.” (Photos via 350 HK) pic.twitter.com/iBsXgeQ3yK
— 350 East Asia (@350EastAsia) November 29, 2019
#ClimateStrike#FridaysForFuture#ClimateStrikeThailand pic.twitter.com/f35LCC4Isb
— Greenpeace Thailand (@greenpeaceth) November 29, 2019
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In Manila, Philippines, climate strikers gathered at Plaza Miranda and "Statue of the Sentinel of Freedom," a monument to Lapu-Lapu, a former ruler of the island Mactan.
LOOK: Various groups gather at Lapu-Lapu monument in Manila for the #ClimateStrike @ABSCBNNews #climatetracker pic.twitter.com/oXtLqryOC8
— Kristine Sabillo (@kristinesabillo) November 29, 2019
More youth representatives from all over the Philippines have gathered here at Plaza Miranda, Manila for the global #climatestrike! pic.twitter.com/37RJhSKECh
— Greenpeace Philippines (@gpph) November 29, 2019
Covering the strike events in Germany, The Associated Press reported:
In Berlin, about two dozen environmental activists jumped into the chilly waters of the Spree river in front of parliament to protest a government-backed package of measures they say won't be enough to reduce the country's greenhouse gas emissions. The package was blocked Friday by Germany's upper house, which represents the country's 16 states.
Later, tens of thousands of students rallied in front of the Brandenburg Gate.
"The generations before us messed it up," said 17-year-old Robin Ebelt. "And we're the ones that will feel the consequences. I would like to spend another 60 years on this planet, grow old, and have grandchildren."
Advocates of ambitious climate policies filled streets in major European capitals, from Berlin to Rome to Vienna.
Thousands protest for climate action in front of Berlin's Brandenburg Gate, as part of worldwide rally days before start of #COP25 talks. pic.twitter.com/QvK8goy03H
— Frank Jordans (@wirereporter) November 29, 2019
#Roma
Noi ci siamo e non ci fermiamo!!! #BlackFriday #FridaysForFuture #StopFastFashion pic.twitter.com/YQ2IZz0qKi— Fridays For Future Italia (@fffitalia) November 29, 2019
This very roughly translates to “Where the hell is the government?” https://t.co/9uO5epr0GM
— Greenpeace (@Greenpeace) November 29, 2019
The demonstrations fell on Black Friday—a global shopping event that comes the day after the U.S. holiday Thanksgiving. Some participants in Friday's climate demonstrations highlighted how consumerism negatively impacts the environment.
"We need to stop telling ourselves that, 'it's Christmas, I need to go shopping,'" said Théophile Pouillot-Chévara, a 17-year-old climate activist in Paris, where some protesters blocked stores and faced off with shoppers. Critics of consumerism also raised alarm about Black Friday in Brighton, England.
Black Friday shoppers clash with climate change activists at Paris shopping centre https://t.co/B9l9zj7jg2 pic.twitter.com/y5CqS3OZ0L
— EBU Social Newswire (@evnsocial) November 29, 2019
It may be #BlackFriday but we're standing up against consumerism and fast fashion at Brighton #ClimateStrike pic.twitter.com/tn38NwulMT
— Peter Johnson (@climate_peter) November 29, 2019
Around the United Kingdom, demonstrators drew attention to the country's upcoming election and urged voters to support candidates backing bold climate policies.
"We are striking today all across the world because we need radical climate action now," tweeted Youth Strike 4 Climate, a Fridays for Future campaign run by the U.K. Student Climate Network. "In the U.K. we're striking to make sure this is the #ClimateElection. The media must do better at covering this issue, and the electorate must #VoteClimate on December 12th."
We were there. Were you? #GreenFriday #climatestrike @XRebellionUK @UKSCN1 @Strike4Youth pic.twitter.com/kvbkLlkTio
— Ethicalice (@ethicalice) November 29, 2019
Massive turnout in London for the #ClimateStrike pic.twitter.com/Ga8Zs94WTX
— Jake Woodier (@JakeWoodier) November 29, 2019
OK BOOMER @ the London #ClimateStrike pic.twitter.com/AYjlYglmf7
— Vote Labour(@Cate_jaili) November 29, 2019
Protests were planned in more than 80 locations across the United States Friday, according to a statement from the Youth Climate Strike Coalition. Earlier this year, the coalition released its primary policy demands: a Green New Deal, respect of Indigenous land and sovereignty, environmental justice, protection and restoration of biodiversity, and implementation of sustainable agriculture.
"We are striking because our leaders haven't been listening to us," said Maya Arengo of Fridays For Future USA, one of the coalition's member groups. "They think our voices are ones they can ignore and not take seriously. They don't understand that we, the youth, are terrified for our futures and we won't stop fighting until our futures are secure."
TODAY, young people are striking across 80+ #ClimateStrike events. Join us this #BlackFriday and next Friday (Dec 6) as we strike for climate action. #StrikeWithUs https://t.co/y9MXl1ogHa https://t.co/vUyMrxfGhr pic.twitter.com/tfGgshnbcG
— Future Coalition (@FutureCoalition) November 29, 2019
Today we took over Water Tower Place and we shared our stories. On Black Friday business cannot operate as usual, we can’t continue to prioritize the profits of a greedy few over our communities. #BlackFridayForClimate #ClimateStrike #BlackFriday pic.twitter.com/l9HY1U11nk
— Sunrise Chicago (@SunriseMvmtChi) November 29, 2019
WEEK 51 of #ClimateStrike.
Just me and few thousand of my best friends...chillin'.
UNLIKE OUR PLANET.
Next Friday I'm back in NYC for #GlobalClimateStrike part II at Foley Square...and my one year strikiversary (<--that's a thing)
see you there! pic.twitter.com/kMlsEdZqmk— Alexandria Villaseñor (@AlexandriaV2005) November 29, 2019
Climate activists are planning another strike for next Friday. The events around COP 25 follow a pair of massive strikes in September—which coincided with a U.N. summit in New York City and drew millions of participants around the world—as well as major youth-led strikes in May and March.