Millions of people across the world have joined in the Global Climate Strike today, 20 September 2019, being led by youth climate activist Greta Thunberg, who is in New York ahead of the UN Climate Action Summit.
The groundswell of strikers, made up of workers, school children, students and ‘mums’ began in Australia with an estimated half-a-million people showing their support.
‘100,000 people rallied in Melbourne, and with protests in more than 100 locations around Australia, it is estimated the total crowd reached 500,000,’ Australian 9News reported.
Strikers from India, Japan, South East Asia and even the Solomon Islands joined in, followed by those in Europe and Africa. In the United States people are expected to join later today.
#climatestrike just starting to build in #Melbourne, I’m sure we will see this build and build over the next hour. pic.twitter.com/lcjACJKRke
— Stephen Torsi (@STorsi) September 20, 2019
Amazing photos coming in from the Solomon Islands where they’re kicking off the Global #ClimateStrikes. pic.twitter.com/Ul4SZ4XDWY
— Jamie Henn (@Agent350) September 20, 2019
Although schools in the US are very strict about attendance, New York’s Department of Education has said that its 1.1-million students will be allowed to skip class and participate (with their parents’ permission).
The idea of bunking school on a Friday to show support for the environment began with 16-year-old Greta Thunberg last year in August.
After the hottest summer in Sweden in 262 years, resulting in wildfires, the teen decided to skip school and stage sit-ins outside parliament until the 2018 Swedish general election on 9 September.
Incredible pictures as Australia’s gathering for the #climatestrike
This is the huge crowd building up in Sydney.
Australia is setting the standard!
Its bedtime in New York…so please share as many pictures as you can as the strikes move across Asia to Europe and Africa! pic.twitter.com/7eAPUQPq5C— Greta Thunberg (@GretaThunberg) September 20, 2019
According to the Guardian which reported on a recent poll, ‘climate breakdown is viewed as the most important issue facing the world, ahead of migration, terrorism and the global economy, in seven out of the eight countries surveyed.’
It’s therefore unsurprising that today’s climate demonstrations will be the world’s largest ever.
Here we go Cape Town!
Forward to renewable energy!#ClimateStrike pic.twitter.com/ncdgtoocLm
— Glen Tyler-Davies (@GlenTyler) September 20, 2019
The #ClimateStrike in Cape Town begins. Follow us for a live feed of the demonstrations today pic.twitter.com/MFF4xpU5kp
— Tshisimani (@Tshisimani) September 20, 2019
Goosebump numbers:
Climate Strike #Freiburg Almost Unbelievable.@GretaThunberg@Fridays4future @FridayForFuture @parents4future @Luisamneubauer @F4F_Freiburg @billmckibben #ClimateStrike #StrikeWithUs https://t.co/mQFCMkoUYs— Arne Storrønningen (@arnestor) September 20, 2019
Good action here in Copenhagen #FridaysForFuture pic.twitter.com/oqsjxxH6Ii
— Anders V. Jensen (@AndersVJensen) September 20, 2019
A number of companies like Amazon and Google have also shown their support and CNN reports that employees from those companies are striking. Cosmetic company Lush has also shut its doors in the US, Canada and Singapore, however, Lush stores in South Africa have not been able to get agreement from shopping centre landlords. Lush SA has however shut down its social media for the day to show support.
#climatestrikeliverpool #schoolstrike4climate #ClimateStrike proud of my little activists! pic.twitter.com/Psu5rw1smD
— Hayley Price (@hayleygirl22) September 20, 2019
WOW! #BRISBANE! Tens of thousands on the street, one message – #ActOnClimate.
There is no time to waste, there is no planet B. #ClimateStrike #FridaysForFutures #YouthStrike4Climate #GreenNewDeal #Go100re @GretaThunberg pic.twitter.com/zCmIa3QCpY
— Mike Hudema (@MikeHudema) September 20, 2019
“My future is being stolen from me and I am here to take it back,” says Veer Ojas, student activist from @ClimateActionGG #GlobalClimateStrike pic.twitter.com/yg02cGJ26K
— Greenpeace India (@greenpeaceindia) September 20, 2019
“There is no EARTH B. Climate action now!” loud cries of young students and citizens are ringing across New Delhi India! Are policymakers listening? Wake up, India! @GretaThunberg @IndiaRebellion @ExtinctionR @Fridays4future #Fridays4Future #GlobalClimateStrike #ClimateStrike pic.twitter.com/wi9RR1sjDo
— Haiyya (@Haiyya_Act) September 20, 2019
Marchers amassing at the Edinburgh #ClimateStrike in the Meadows pic.twitter.com/z9gGpnrgih
— Simon Butler (@Simon_Butler) September 20, 2019
Lush closes store in Singapore at Raffles City Mall in solidarity for the #climatestrike pic.twitter.com/1GtsMhwzJB
— Taylor Weston Hickem (@taylorhickem) September 20, 2019
Get 👏 hyped 👏
London #ClimateStrike kicking off any minute pic.twitter.com/IaGBJLh8L5— Fossil Free UK (@FossilFree_UK) September 20, 2019
Berlin #ClimateStrike looks massive according to @will350 who has been part of every major day of climate action. https://t.co/WB6t4Dlov9
— Bill McKibben (@billmckibben) September 20, 2019
Environmental activists play dead as they participate in the #climatestrike in Bangkok, Thailand. pic.twitter.com/1xkpgSkMTG
— DW News (@dwnews) September 20, 2019
[In PICTURES]#ClimateStrike pic.twitter.com/UIyiS6UR1h
— SAFTU (@SAFTU_media) September 20, 2019
グローバル気候マーチ
Global Climate Strike in Tokyo#FridaysForFuture #ClimateStrike #ClimateJustice
国連大学前～渋谷一周～国連大学前
主催：Fridays For Future Tokyo
こんだけ若者がデモするって久しぶり。
しかし考えようによっては、ある種「政治的」でないから集まれるのか？ pic.twitter.com/cTUKVa6KBB— 金蜜 (@mkimpo_kid) September 20, 2019
Image: Getty Images
