Young students have been going on strike from school on Fridays since Swedish teenager Greta Thunberg began her school strike in August 2018. School children across the world then followed her lead, including me with millions on 15th March 2019.
What?
The reason for the strike is that there is no point studying for a future under threat from climate change. The children have done their homework, and the science is clear that this is a Climate Emergency.
How?
The idea of the Global Climate Strike is for as many people as possible to take the day off work on 20th September to protest for climate action in solidarity with the school strikers. Young people will be out in force, and everyone else should be too. Young people are really leading the charge on this one and with good reason.
Why?
The Earth is already warmed by 1ºC and is on the path to 3ºC even though anything over 1.5ºC is disastrous. Carbon Dioxide emissions, the main cause of global warming need to be cut by half by 2030 and hit net zero by 2050 to limit global warming so that the earth will remain habitable for humans & other species.
Everyone needs to care. Last year, the IPCC report suggested humans had only 12 years left to make the changes required.
Where?
The global climate strike is ahead of the United Nations Climate Summit in New York on September 23. There is no escape for anyone from this climate crisis be it a student, a doctor or a politician. Then why the delay to act?
You?
So, join the global climate strike to show world leaders what real action looks like. Join the strike to show them the power we young people have!
(Asees Kandhari is a 15-year-old girl studying in grade 10. She is a climate striker who’s fighting for her ‘Right To Breathe’.)