On Friday, Sept. 15, several protests were held globally to protest inaction regarding fossil fuels and other harmful emissions. This year has seen numerous natural disasters that have led to increasing deaths, from droughts to heavy floods. While the United States has seen its fair share of turmoil, the rest of the world has seen just as much, if not more.
Research points to the consistent use of fossil fuels and a lack of investment into renewable energy as causes to the record-breaking heat that we are seeing. This July was recorded as the hottest month ever, an ominous milestone for those dealing with its consequences, and those who will soon discover them.
In over 50 countries, tens of thousands of climate activists took to the streets to protest. The demonstrations were significantly youth-led, lending credit to notions of Generation Z’s increasing involvement in global issues. Organizers for this weekend’s protests estimate a turnout of more than a million people internationally.
For example, Greta Thunberg’s “Fridays for Future”movement was seen in action on Friday. In Sweden, activists made chants for “climate justice” outside the Royal Palace, where the King celebratedhis 50th anniversary on the throne.
These groups are not merely complaining but coming to the table with lists of demands and alternatives for their governments to enact.
Student groups in Vienna, Austria sat down in front of their parliament and called for the government to end oil and gas, enact supply chain laws and implement climate protections. A standout sign during a protest in Germany read: “march now or swim later”.
Germany itself saw around 250 protests, with one group in Berlin marching through the city’s government district. The country serves as an example of one of several wealthy nations being put to task over their performance on these issues.
Many argue that these countries have a responsibility to assist developing countries in efforts to incorporate low-carbon energy. These cleaner energy types have more inexpensive running costs but need startup funds to get solar panels and wind farms installed quickly.
Meanwhile, according to the International Monetary Fund, governments spent $7 trillion in subsidies to non-renewable resources including oil and coal just last year.
Per AP News, the United Nations warned that countries are behind on efforts to curb increasing temperatures, with the planet warming another 2 degrees fahrenheit since the Paris Climate Agreement in 2016.
“This is directed at world leaders”, Mitzi Jonelle Tan, a young climate activist from the Philippines, said. “We need to phase out the fossil fuels causing the destruction of our environment.”
This historic mobilization comes just a week prior to the United Nations Secretary General’s Climate Ambition Summit, a possible pivotal moment, where world leaders can demonstrate a combined effort to tackle these problems.
