Global youth in demo to stop climate change
SYDNEY: Tens of thousands of young people across Asia skipped school yesterday to march through the streets, kicking off a global day of student protests to spark world leaders into action on climate change.
Classrooms in capitals from Lagos to London were expected to be empty, as the ambitious organisers of the global student strike hoped to stage 1,000 demos in more than 100 countries.
Students flooded into the streets here, in Wellington, Bangkok and Hong Kong, carrying placards that read “There is no planet B”, “You’re destroying our future” and “If you don’t act like adults, we will”.
In New Delhi, one of the most polluted cities, around 200 students took part in a colourful protest, waving ribbons, juggling and performing stunts with hoops.
“We have to make a choice whether we want to sit and be indifferent or do something for our planet,” said student Srijani Datta, 16, who also issued a warning to the world’s politicians.
“Most of us are 16 or 17, and we are going to turn 18 soon. We are going to be eligible for voting. As voters, we will show we care about climate change. If you can’t give us that (fresh air and water), you will not get our votes.”
In Sydney, 18-year-old Charles Rickwood warned that if nothing is done, Australia’s famous Great Barrier Reef could be destroyed.
“Especially if current trends in the environment continue, we’ll see the one, two degrees increase in our ocean, then it will simply become unsustainable and we could lose the entire Great Barrier Reef,” he said.
Parents of students in Christchurch, New Zealand, were warned not to collect them with the city on lockdown after a mass shooting in two mosques.
The worldwide protests were inspired by Swedish teen activist Greta Thunberg.
“We are only seeing the beginning,” tweeted Thunberg, who has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for her activism.
However, the demos attracted mixed reactions from politicians.
In Australia, Education Minister Dan Tehan said the strike was “not something that we should encourage”.
But the budding activists received encouragement from New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who said it was important for the young generation to send a message.
In famously hardworking South Korea, demonstrations only began once lessons were over.
“It’s hard for students to skip school in order to participate in this climate strike,” said organiser Jeong Juwon, 25.
“In South Korea, exam results are very important and it’s a big burden, and also the unemployment crisis is at its worst.”