As thousands of youth around the world kick off the second annual Global Climate Strike week by taking to the streets, Victoria youth prepare their own rally alongside popular singer Raffi this afternoon.
Students across the city are joining in a week-long Global Youth Climate Strike, starting with a student strike at the BC Legislature today at 12 p.m.
They will be accompanied by internationally renowned musician Raffi, who recently wrote a song titled ‘Young People Marching’ in support of the millions of young people around the world urging climate action.
“We have the solutions to stop irreversible climate change and frankly it’s pathetic that we are not using them. Today we call on everyone to help create the joyful future we want to see. This is our future and together change is possible,” said Emma-Jane Burian.
Background
This year’s Global Climate Strike will take place for a full week between September 20th and September 27th.
It is timed to occur ahead of a United Nations General Assembly meeting later next week in which countries are supposed to increase their efforts to reduce greenhouse gases under the 2015 Paris Agreement.
The movement, spearheaded by teenage Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, invites youth and adults alike to join the protests which, in the past, have seen millions of people worldwide leaving work and school in a mass exodus of support for the cause.
See also: Victoria youth joins hundreds in pledging not to have children until government takes climate action
While today sees hundreds of thousands of people around the world take to the streets, the largest national climate mobilization in Canada is expected to occur next Friday, September 27th.
Among other things, youth strikers are demanding that governments immediately legislate net greenhouse gas emission reductions of 75% over 2005 levels by 2030, in addition to committing to UNDRIP (United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples) in full.
Provincially, they demanding that the government declare a climate emergency, along with a range of other appeals.
Thousands of people in over 150 countries around the world have already begun their Global Climate Strike week, with unprecedented crowds showing up to protests in countries like Australia, Germany, India, Japan, UK, USA, etc.
Kids are marching for action on climate change across the U.S. Over 1 million students are expected to skip class for the #GlobalClimateStrike in NYC alone: pic.twitter.com/bxfuAfTFIK
— AJ+ (@ajplus) September 20, 2019
This is a global movement #ClimateStrike pic.twitter.com/kNiJ90mDo4
— Brian Kahn (@blkahn) September 20, 2019
Y'all, I'M IN TEARS watching the world throw down for the #ClimateStrike & the New York march is still hours away.
This is the massive, diverse, inter-generational global climate mobilization we have always dreamed of, led by youth and frontline communities. THANK YOU ALL! 💚 pic.twitter.com/B2xdwmx4ov
— Dr. Lucky is on #ClimateStrike ⚫️ (@luckytran) September 20, 2019
Three people stand on ice blocks under gallows in Berlin to symbolize the dangers of global warming.#ClimateStrike pic.twitter.com/3scO5IHOpZ
— Greg Hogben (@MyDaughtersArmy) September 20, 2019
Global Climate Strike: Week of Action
- When: September 20th – 27th
- Where: Various locations. Click here for more.
