'We're Young, But We're Not Dumb': Millions March In Global Climate Strike
September 20, 20192:50 AM ET
Scott Neuman Twitter Bill Chappell Twitter
Greta Thunberg, the 16-year-old leader of a global protest against inaction on climate change, marched at a rally in New York City Friday. Around the world, millions of other people joined her.
Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/AP Updated at 1:30 p.m. ET
Millions of young people raised their voices at protests around the world Friday in a massive display meant to demand urgent action on climate change. Scores of students missed school to take part, some joined by teachers and parents.
Some of the first rallies began in Australia, and then spread from Pacific islands to India and Turkey and across Europe, as students kicked off the Global Climate Strike.
In the U.S., more than 800 marches are planned and thousands of young people are expected to be absent from class. Greta Thunberg, the 16-year-old Swedish activist who sparked what has become a global movement of Friday school strikes over climate change, will attend a rally and march in Lower Manhattan.
The protesters are marching to demand that government and businesses commit to a goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2030. On its website, Global Climate Strike calls for a swift transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. https://globalclimatestrike.net/#faq
Thunberg has been in the U.S. for more than a week, urging leaders to take responsibility for the environment and building momentum toward Friday's demonstrations. She recently told NPR that even with the new support, her focus remains on changing the future — for the better.
Protesters march during a Fridays for Future rally against climate change in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Michele Spatari/AFP/Getty Images
"Even though this movement has become huge and there have been millions of children and young people who have been school striking for the climate," Thunberg says, "the emission curve is still not reducing ... and of course that is all that matters."
In Germany, hundreds of thousands of marchers took to the streets in cities such as Munich, Hanover, Hamburg and Freiburg. And on the same day as the protests, Chancellor Angela Merkel's government agreed to a landmark $60 billion package designed to cut Germany's greenhouse gas emissions.
Over 50’000 in #Hamburg according to early reports #FridaysForFuture #ClimateStrike
"Chanting, 'The time is now' for action on climate change, thousands of people gathered at Berlin's Brandenburg Gate, forcing police to close access to the monument due to overcrowding," NPR's Rob Schmitz reports from Berlin. "Thousands more gathered in Warsaw and Prague. In Finland, crowds of demonstrators in costumes protested outside Parliament in Helsinki. One man dressed as Santa Claus held a sign declaring, 'My house is on fire.' "
The protests come ahead of the U.N. Climate Action Summit that begins Monday in New York. In March, a similar demonstration inspired by Thunberg drew crowds around the world, including thousands of young students who skipped school to attend.
The global movement has taken root in many countries, as young people reflect on the current condition of the world — and how their lives might be shaped by the consequences of allowing global average temperatures to keep rising. On Friday, the voices included children from Abuja, Nigeria.
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In Athens, waves of people gathered outside the Greek Parliament, with some of them holding signs that read, "Raise your voice, not the sea level."
Morrison insists Australia will not be drawn into military conflict with Iran
"Scott Morrison won't attend UN climate summit despite being in the US "Australia accused of putting coal before Pacific 'family' as region calls for climate change action "Australian dollar decline holds best hope for economy to escape trade war fallout Australia May Well Be the World’s Most Secretive Democracy"""
PM says there’s no discussion of any Australian involvement after Trump’s recent comments raising nuclear option
Katharine Murphy Political editor, in Washington DC @murpharoo
Sat 21 Sep 2019 22.27 EDT Last modified on Sun 22 Sep 2019 02.42 EDT
Scott Morrison says Australia’s commitment is limited to the Strait of Hormuz after Donald Trump raised the prospect of a military strike against Iran. Photograph: REX/Shutterstock
Scott Morrison insists Australia will not be drawn into any military conflict with Iran, declaring our commitment is limited to protecting freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump is expected to use the looming opportunity of leaders week at the United Nations to try to cajole other nations into participation. Trump is scheduled to meet at least a dozen world leaders during his three days in New York.
Trump publicly is all about restraint, and since the electorate is anti-war that is the prudent path to 2020. Still, could one be blamed for thinking Trump, down deep, wouldn't enjoy being a tough guy with the American military behind him?
Ps: Is it just me, or does Donald look on edge. Even in that photo with a friend?
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