This is a historic week as 150 countries step up to support young climate strikers who are demanding an end to the age of fossil fuels.
The initiative started by Sweden’s Greta Thunberg is echoing all over the world. Students across nations have joined hands and responded to her call for action. They gathered in large numbers to demand serious action against climate change vis-a-vis the September 2019 climate strikes. The week from September 20 to 27 will see the culmination of the September 2019 climate strikes.
Young people have brought the world’s focus on a crisis called climate change with their powerful Fridays For Future school strikes. Millions of adults are now joining in to kickstart renewed action all over the world. On September 27, another strike will take place for climate change.
SEE ALSO: Climate Activist Greta Thunberg has a message for Narendra Modi
KEY HIGHLIGHTS:
- Greta Thunberg calls for September 2019 climate strikes.
- On September 20, Indian students protested and participated in strikes across towns and cities.
- Students demand environment-friendly changes in governmental policy.
- Another strike will be held on September 27.
Why were these dates chosen?
September 20, was chosen because it was just three days before a UN emergency climate summit to be held in New York. The following Friday, September 27 will be when the strikers will join Earth Strike for a general strike.
What happened on September 20 in India
The September 2019 climate strikes are a part of the school strike for climate movement. India too stepped up to the cause. On Friday, several thousand school students, along with adults who support the cause, collectively walked out on the streets to protest governmental inaction. More than 14,000 people signed up online to participate in the protests. These protests were held at more than 26 locations all across the country. Both the suburbs and metropolitan cities are participating heavily.
SEE ALSO: Thousands Of Students Will Skip School For Global Climate Strike
Nation's capital protests
In Delhi, almost 2,000 people demanded that the Prime Minister’s Office declare a climate emergency in India. They gathered in Lodhi Garden and walked towards the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in Jorbagh. Bala Panchanathan, 20, thought that while the turnout was okay, she personally “felt like there could have been way more people. It was mostly just us school students and some college students.”
Her friend, Rohini Chatterjee confirmed, “The adults were only a handful, mostly media persons or foreigners or organisers.” The protest lasted for 40-45 minutes, until 6 pm in the evening.
Students of Delhi Public School, Noida, turned up in big numbers. Madhav Garg, 16, said that the walk “wasn't too long, and we couldn't finish till the expected end point - Ministry of Environment. Due to barricades by the police... but a few people were allowed to represent the protestors.”
Anant Jain, 18, felt relieved at the lack of resistance or violence. “It was pretty peaceful, despite the presence of the police.”
Several young climate activists came in large groups, full of enthusiasm and an objective: to make people listen! Aman Sharma, a young Delhite, talking on video about why it is important for every person to sit up and notice these strikes rightly encapsulates the feelings of every person present there.
Other cities not behind
The turnout was more or less as big in Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bangalore and the state of Assam. The crowd comprised of school students, but others were present as well. College students and adult environment activists came out to support the kids. They came armed with hard-hitting placards and shouted slogans. The young climate change activists sat on the streets, demanding that the world listen, asking for meaningful action. Their demands, as enumerated by Greta Thunberg, are for real change to happen at the governmental and political level. It is only then that actual change can happen.
As of 2019, India is inching towards a major water crisis. India's position on climate change is confusing. In this scenario, it is important for everyone, and not just students, to come together and make it understood that the citizens will not back down until there is a change in governmental policies.
This is a global moment to show politicians everywhere that the movement is growing from strength to strength and that it won’t stop until there is climate justice for everyone. This is only the beginning.
SEE ALSO: Meet Greta Thunberg, The 16-Year-Old Nobel Prize Nominee
Image credit: HT
Prapti is an intern with SheThePeople.Tv
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