March for a Change

Thousands of students from at least 112 countries skipped school to participate in the protest held March 15, 2019 which was considered one of the biggest environmental movements in history.

The march was about raising awareness about the exacerbating condition of the environment—especially to politicians. Humans are the major cause of climate change. Young adults were marching for government officials to realize and resolve the danger we are moving into. This campaign started in Sweden led by Greta Thunberg, a 16 year old, outside of the Swedish parliament. According to the Guardian, she “was inspired by students from the Parkland school in Florida, who walked out of classes in protest against the US gun laws that enabled the massacre on their campus.” The following link is for further information from the Guardian: https://www.vox.com/2019/2/21/18233206/march-15-climate-strike

Her actions inspired others to stand up for a change which lead to protests in the United States led by Alexandria Villasenor, Haven Coleman and Isra Hirsi, daughter of US Representative Ilhan Omar from the D-MN 5th District.

There were children holding signs with the quote: “wake up save our future” to protest for the solution of climate change. Greta Thunberg was nominated for a Nobel Peace Price due to her outstanding efforts on trying to emphasize this global issue to policymakers who decided to ignore the effect climate change has on future generations. With concerning statements from scientists presented in a Vox article, it is believed that “we have just 12 years to limit devastating worldwide warming.” For more information the following link is available: https://www.vox.com/2019/2/21/18233206/march-15-climate-strike

Greta Thunberg gave a speech in the United Nation’s Climate Action Summit about the crisis of climate change condemning governmental leaders for their dismissive actions. She comments, “You have stolen my dreams and my childhood with your empty words.”

Thunberg continues her speech by stating, “The popular idea of cutting our emissions in half in 10 years only gives us a 50% chance of staying below 1.5 degrees [Celsius], and the risk of setting off irreversible chain reactions beyond human control.” Current statistics highlight the detrimental consequences governments are either unaware of, or are ignoring. They are responsible of a nation’s future, and her speech brings awareness about climate change which is only exacerbating.

The following link is a video of her complete speech: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAJsdgTPJpU