Yesterday, Friday September 20th, young people across the nation—and around the world—staged a climate strike to urge political leaders to take immediate action on climate change.
CreditAxel Heimken/DPA, via Agence France-Presse — Getty Images
In over 150 countries people are stepping up and stepping out to support young climate strikers with an emphasis of ending the age of fossil fuels and calling. Organizers estimated the turnout to be around four million in thousands of cities and towns worldwide. These protests come three days before the start of the United Nations Climate Summit in New York City, where countries are supposed to ramp up their ambitions to curb greenhouse gases under the 2015 Paris climate agreement- but activists hope to influence government at all levels, including the municipal.
What exactly are people striking for?-A Green New Deal-Acknowledging that a climate emergency is threatening our future-Keep fossil fuels in the ground-investing in clean, fuel efficient and affordable public transportation, bicycle infrastructure and electric vehicles-Respect of indigenous land and sovereignty-Environmental justice-Ending citywide greenhouse gas emissions as quickly as possible-Protection and restoration of biodiversity-Plant more trees, reforestation and wetland protection-The implementation of sustainable agriculture-Ban single use plastics-Overall longterm SUSTAINABILITY
The WSMS crew had the pleasure of participating in the flash strike that happened around 5pm on the downtown side of the bridge of lions along the bay front. The energy of the protest was positive and encouraging with like minded individuals coming together to fight the good fight. Each protestor showed their love and support for our beloved Mother Earth while urging others in the community to make the changes necessary for a more sustainable future- all through peaceful protest.
The Environmental Youth Council of St. Augustine
A group of young people concerned with social and environmental issues on a local to global scale. We look to bridge the gap between those concerned and those in action. Their goal is to engage all people and organizations in creating viable solutions to the developing environmental crisis.
Photo by local Mike Cushion
As the rally came to and end, the town of St. Augustine was engulfed in the largest and most vibrant rainbow our team had ever seen. As if Mother Earth was giving a loving thank you to the community.
This is certainly not the first time in modern history that young people have rallied around a cause. Young people led social movements against the Vietnam War and for civil rights in the United States- also against apartheid and in the global antinuclear movement. But the youth climate movement is different- There is no planet B.
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-Entire selection of vintage and second-hand