On Friday, March 15th, youth has written history. Inspired by 16-year-old Greta Thunberg – now nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize -, students have kicked off a #FridaysForFuture as a global movement, lighting a beacon of hope in times of climate crisis. More than 1.5 million students skipped school all around the world to protest against politicians’ inaction on climate change in a 24-hour action that will mark a whole generation. From Australia to Asia, Africa, America, and Europe, young people took the streets on 2.068 protests in more than 125 countries demanding immediate change to their governments’ climate policy. Despite their anger and disappointment about adults’ inaction, it was a powerful message of hope and enthusiasm to fight for a greener social and economic system that allows us to halt catastrophic climate change.
A second Global Strike for Future is already scheduled for May 24th2019.
Both Friends of the Earth and Young Friends of the Earth member groups supported the strike, reinforcing the students’ message: we are here, we are many, and we want things different. Here are some inspiring examples of support shown by our national groups:
BUND/Friends of the Earth Germany
Gute Demokraten stellen sich den #Schulstreik|s auf Augenhöhe & diskreditieren nicht das Engagement junger Menschen für #Klima & Zukunft! @FridaysForFuture, ihr seid großartig! Hier unsere Solidaritätserklärung ?? https://t.co/xb5d6GMuvR #schoolstrike4climate #FridaysForFuture pic.twitter.com/5Dq5kS9bJM
— BUND (@bund_net) 15 March 2019
Friends of the Earth Ireland
Friends of the Earth Ireland encouraged the newly formed Schools Climate Action Network to retain the energy generated on Friday. They also set up a solidarity action for the 15th rather than bringing lots of adults to the children’s rally, supported a lobbying workshop for students and brought them to their 2-days event ‘Climate Connects’.
Amigos de la Tierra/Friends of the Earth Spain
Amigos de la Tierra helped to spread out the call for the over 60 mobilisations that took place across Spain as an organisation but also took part in the event as concerned individuals. Four local groups were directly involved, helping mainly with logistics and communications.
¡No podemos esperar más para actuar! #FridaysForFuture #15MClimático #SchoolsStrike4Climate @JuventudXClima pic.twitter.com/xtc8grCglP
— Amigos de la Tierra (@AmigosTierraEsp) 15 March 2019
Hnutí DUHA/ Friends of the Earth Czech Republic
Hnutí DUHA were directly involved in the Climate Coalition, connecting them with national media. A group of active volunteers was also a part of the march, which gathered 2000 students in Prague and 700 in Brno, and organised a workshop for making banners.
Focus/Friends of the Earth Slovenia
Focus offered the strikers a space for meetings, provided expert support in shaping demands and backgrounds, materials for protest, and covered costs for leaflets and posters. They promoted the event through their channels, including their newsletter, and gave social media support. They participated in the protests, but without exposing banners.
Latvijas Zemes draugu/ Friends of the Earth Latvia
Latvijas Zemes draugu promoted the event and supported the main organisers with logistics.
!!! #climatestrike #climatejustice @Young_FoEE @fff_europe pic.twitter.com/JVNdSdqfO1
— // Lita (@kurpju_kaste) 15 March 2019
Friends of the Earth Scotland
Young Friends of the Earth Scotland a well-being area at the Glasgow strike with drinks, snacks and support for strikers. Friends of the Earth Scotland was also present at both the Edinburgh and Glasgow actions in support (with flags), helping to amplify the event on social media.
Friends of the Earth England, Wales, and Northern Ireland
Friends of the Earth EWNI supported mainly behind the scenes, although they also published an open letter to national media (The Times) signed by 33 green and youth NGOs, academics and public figures in favour of the strike. They provided welfare staff in 4-5 locations where this was requested, plus input on safeguarding (child protection) for adult supporters. They produced a guide for adult allies in partnership with UK student climate change network, and one of their youth project students did some citizen journalism on Twitter and Instagram.
Today’s youth strike for climate in Manchester was inspiring to say the least. Great to see such a large turn out – hi @theresa_may#youthstrike4climate #FridaysForFuture @GretaThunberg
(Photography credit to @/eodee.photography on Instagram) pic.twitter.com/kF6swLHYUB— Young FoE Manchester (@YoungFoeMcr) 15 March 2019
