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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsOur school climate strikes have been a success and we're only getting started
https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/apr/26/school-climate-strikes-success-forced-uk-politicians-healthy-planetOur school climate strikes have been a success and were only getting started
Anna Taylor
April has been quite the month for climate action. The organisation I co-founded, the UK Student Climate Network, held its third Youth Strike 4 Climate demonstrations just two weeks ago which for the third month in succession saw tens of thousands take to the streets across the UK demanding climate justice and a Green New Deal. Extinction Rebellion also kicked off a huge act of extended nonviolent civil disobedience by reclaiming public spaces in London and causing widespread disruption to protest climate breakdown. Many hope this could be a crucial turning point in Britains political approach to addressing the climate crisis.
Thousands of people taking positive climate action for the very first time are feeling empowered by bringing their rage and frustration at climate inaction to the streets, visibly demonstrating their discontent. Looking at those taking part in all of these actions shows the potential of an emerging group to drive necessary legislative change. At the youth strikes I look around and see todays brave and courageous climate activists and tomorrows voters. Meanwhile, lots of current voters have been frequenting Marble Arch, Parliament Square and other sites previously occupied by Extinction Rebellion. All of these people, alongside those engaged by TV shows such as Our Planet and Climate Change: The Facts are becoming a new voting demographic: the climate vote bloc.
When were shielded from the truths of the climate crisis its impossible to understand the gravity of the situation. Both movements are doing fantastic work to make the climate a mainstream issue and help understanding of the crisis we face to spread widely.
The power of grassroots, widespread climate action cannot be underestimated. When ordinary people start to organise among themselves and create communities of resistance in our schools, colleges, universities and neighbourhoods, those in positions of power begin to notice. The emergent climate movements are organising people of all ages to fight for a better world and to take the necessary steps to pressure political leaders to act.
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Our school climate strikes have been a success and we're only getting started (Original Post)
G_j
Apr 2019
OP
malaise
(268,637 posts)1. Important - needs to be seen
Get thee to the greatest page
G_j
(40,366 posts)2. my greatest hopes
are with these young people who actually get it!
malaise
(268,637 posts)3. They are our greatest hope
and after Parkland I know they will get it done