On Friday 20th September more than 4 million people worldwide took part in historic Global Climate Strikes. The Strikes are a potent new social movement committed to sounding a global alarm about the climate crisis.
The global action follows a long-running series of schools strikes inspired by Swedish climate activist, Greta Thunberg, age 16, who began striking by herself outside the Swedish parliament a year ago. Friday’s momentous strike saw young people on the streets demanding rapid and meaningful action on the climate and ecological crisis from our political and economic leaders.
A truly historic day, with over 2,500 events scheduled in over 163 countries on all seven continents, the young voices of the world spoke up, and asked us adults to support them. And support we did. With thousands of people just in the UK, including the Toby Marsh Creative team, leaving work, home and school to take to the streets.
A truly historic day, with over 2,500 events scheduled in over 163 countries on all seven continents, the young voices of the world spoke up, and asked us adults to support them.
And support we did. With thousands of people just in the UK, including the Toby Marsh Creative team, leaving work, home and school to take to the streets.
From handfuls of demonstrators on Pacific islands to mass rallies in cities like Melbourne, Mumbai, New York and London, and even a small demonstration on the Antarctic continent, Friday saw the biggest climate strike in history.
In the UK the strikes were organised by the UK Student Climate Network (UKSCN), a small group of volunteers, mostly under 18 who have been inspired by the powerful and direct protests made by young people against climate inaction across the rest of the Europe. With the message that we are already facing devastating and irreversible impacts around the world, UKSCN are mobilising unprecedented numbers of students to create a strong movement and send a message that they are tired of being ignored.
Team members from TMC, joined the strike at Hackney Town Hall Square and were extremely moved by the inspirational school children who took to the mic to demand climate justice. The youngest members of the TMC team (Sienna, 3 and Max, 1) joined a whole host of other youngsters with homemade banners, while TMC’s resident dog, Sebastian made friends with other canine protesters.
Dubbed the Global Week for the Future, this week will see more strikes planned across the world until the 27 September. Everyone is needed. You only need to listen to Greta speaking at Friday’s strike in New York to realise the time is now to make a change.
