Children fight for their planet

While speaking about climate change, Christine Lagarde, the IMF chief had issued a dire warning: “Unless we take action on climate change, future generations will be roasted, toasted, fried and grilled.” No wonder, children, seeing how governments have failed them, have taken it upon themselves to teach the adults a lesson. On Friday, thousands of kids in 60 towns and cities in the UK went on a day-long strike as part of a global campaign for action on climate change. They walked out of schools to impress upon the government that it is imperative to declare a climate emergency and take active steps to tackle the problem. Some had called this protest a misguided step, but the organisers for Youth Strike 4 Climate movement called it a grand success. Imagine, youngsters protesting outside Parliament with placards bearing slogans like ‘There is no Planet B’. 

Paris witnessed similar scenes on the same day as several hundred high school and university students skipped class to demonstrate in front of the French ministry for the environment. They too came up creative slogans to jolt the authorities out of slumber and ignorance: “Save a panda, tax a banker.” “Don’t go breaking my Earth.” “You can’t buy a new planet during the sales.” The demonstration reflects a deep disappointment with France’s failure to fulfil its commitments under various climate agreements. Even the government’s alibi about stimulating economy doesn’t have many takers. Though the turnout in Paris was smaller compared to UK, one must bear in mind that the country is in the throes of the Yellow Vest movement. The Yellow Vest movement is demanding social justice and it has stirred hope that a shift in the power structure is possible. And now with the student protests, the horizon of possibilities is expanding. Both the UK and France protests followed the dramatic initiative in another European city. 

In Brussels on January 24, 35,000 secondary school students marched to the European Parliament in the city’s biggest student demonstration in recent memory. Unsurprisingly, social media is acting as a huge catalyst for the youngsters’ initiatives. Everyday new people are reaching out to the protestors to express solidarity and showing eagerness to be part of the movements. Apparently, the student movement, which is taking place in 270 cities worldwide, is building up to a global day of action next month. 

It all began with the young girl Greta Thunberg’s weekly sit-ins outside the Swedish parliament to raise awareness of the crisis. It inspired school students in Europe, Australia and the US to organise climate strikes. 

Who is Thunberg? She is the latest icon of climate change, her name being synonymous with the mass school walkouts. Each Friday since August the teenager has missed class to sit on the steps outside the Swedish parliament in Stockholm in protest at her government’s inadequate action on climate change. Thunberg’s resolve to take action has now spread like wildfire. Thunberg’s impact brings to mind John F Kennedy’s quote: “One person can make a difference, and everyone should try.”