On March 15, 2019, students left school to protest against climate change. The protests took place in more than 122 different countries. The wave of youth activism started with Greta Thunberg. A 16-year-old girl from Sweden who addressed the UN and camped outside the Swedish parliament accusing lawmakers of failing to keep their promises to fight climate change agreed under the Paris climate accord. The protests were organized under the leadership of three young girls Alexandria Villasenor, Haven Coleman, and Isra Hirsi as a part of an international “Youth Climate Strike”.
There were also schools in New Jersey who protested. One school was Montclair High school. About 500 of the students walked out of their morning lessons to call for action. Afterward, about 75 students continued to march and chant while waving signs in downtown Montclair.
Along with the schools in New Jersey, More protests banded together in big capitalist environments such as New York City and Washington D.C. in support of the cause. All-in-all this protest of one the most impactful for our generation. The amount of non-biodegradable products we use on a daily basis is alarming. Most scientists have claimed the statistic that we only have 11 years to start reversing the damages caused by big carbon emissions.
In the meantime, we advise everyone to start using bamboo straws instead of plastic, reusable water bottles, and shopping bags. Although we are constantly seeing a dying rhino’s and turtles on social media, it could be us instead if we don’t take action now.