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Anosha Murtaza | Waterloo, Canada
This September, millions of us will walk out of our homes and offices to join young activist on the streets in demand for immediate climate action. Here is everything you need to know:
Why are they going on Strike?
In recent news, there have been rising reports and studies about the escalating global climate crisis. The UN climate change panel’s report that was released last October states that as early as 2020 we will be facing the severe affects of a warming planet-including food shortages and worsening wildfires. Despite these concerns, many governments have shown no actions towards slowing down the rise in global temperatures. In Canada alone, current policies are consistent with global warming of up to four degrees Celsius by 2030—more than double the “safe” levels set out by the Paris Agreement.
“Our house is on fire, let’s act like it” -Greta Thunberg
The youth worldwide have spoken out because this is a problem for their future. Because of the climate crisis, they’re calling for more aggressive targets for cutting greenhouse gas emissions to keep warming in check.
What will happen?
On September 20th and September 27th, young people of all over the world will be skipping class and taking to the streets to protest for climate rights. On September 20, 3 days before a UN emergency climate summit being held in New York, young people in the Fridays For Future network are mobilising for their largest global climate strike ever. They have invited everyone to join them on Friday, September 20 and again the following Friday, September 27 when they will join Earth Strike for a general strike.
Global Climate Strike partners encourage everyone to join on both dates and well beyond.
How do I join?
You can join by participating in the climate strike near you. All you need to do is simply find out when and where the strike near you is taking place. A reminder, that anyone can join, in fact, it’s vital. According to Jamie Margolin, an American 17-year-old climate activist from Seattle and co-founder of Zero Hour:
“Now, more than ever, we need people of all ages to join youth in the streets. The time has come for all of us to leverage our collective power to stop fossil fuel billionaires […] and hold the politicians who’ve aided and abetted them accountable.”
Where and When are strikes taking place in Canada and the rest of the world?
Strikes are happening everywhere in Canada from Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg and Saskatoon, to Thunder Bay, Ont., Toronto, Montreal, St. John’s, Nfld. and Halifax. To find a strike near you community look for online Facebook events and other social media posts or simply use the map on the global climate strike website: https://globalclimatestrike.net/
Before going, make sure to RSVP to the strike you plan on attending (this might mean RSVPing on the website or clicking “going” on the appropriate Facebook event, if there is one). It may seem inconsequential, but RSVP numbers are really helpful for organizers so they know how many people to expect and prepare for!
Join the Climate Strike and make a change!