TellUs: Global Climate Strikes, Bishop Stortford

Bishop Stortford Global Climate Strike

Global climate strikes are storming the planet! The said-to-be worlds largest climate strikes begin Friday 20 and continue for a week until Friday 27.

The youth are being encouraged to skip Friday classes to partake in the strike, marching for a greener future. What is also encouraged is for parents and grandparents to come along also and get involved - the more the better!

Although global protests have been occurring for many years, with the contribution of environmentalist, 16-year-old Greta Thunberg and activist groups such as Extinction Rebellion we are seeing a huge surge of well-organised global climate strikes that are and will gain attention. 

 The Extinction Rebellion demand three things happen, “Government must tell the truth by declaring a climate and ecological emergency, working with other institutions to communicate the urgency for change. Government must act now to halt biodiversity loss and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2025. Government must create and be led by the decisions of a Citizens’ Assembly on climate and ecological justice.”

The UK Student Climate Network summarise what the strikes aim is to them is, “we will rise up and take direct action where older generations have failed. We are already facing devastating and irreversible impacts around the world. This is our final chance to fight for the future, and age will not stop us.” They also state that “Greta Thunberg’s speeches and ideas are central to our mission.” 

There was a tremendous turn out for the first march on Friday 20. Protests were held in approximately 4,500 locations in 163 countries. Just to give you an example of the scale:

• 1.4 million protested in Germany
• 400,000 protested in Australia
• 250,000 protested in New York
• 100,000 protested in London
• 9 protested in Antarctica. Yes you heard that right - ANTARCTICA! As Thunberg says “when we say strike on all continents - we mean ALL continents.” 

Protests in Antarctica. Source: @psycho_kriller on twitter

What is important is local climate strikes happen, to target local MPs to make changes. I took part in the Bishop Stortford protest along with 100-150 other people, between 15:30-17:30 on September 20. Ages were varied but I was amazed at the amount of youth taking part! It was an incredible sight to see! The crowd was varied from students, to the retired and business men and women. A spokesmen from Extinction Rebellion was there also, who was able to provide abundant knowledge on the climate situation.

Our protest began outside the town council where we chanted, handed out leaflets, spoke our stories and why we were participating. I made a speech which will be up on my Facebook and Instagram page (link below). 

It was apparent that many people couldn’t reach major cities, which is a prime example of why local activism is essential - so that we can involve as many people people as we possibly can. Bishop Stortfords local MP is Mark Prisk and despite being asked to come and speak to us he declined. It was clear many were frustrated with his lack of interest in environmental issues and this was a contribution to their striking. 

We then marched down the high-street, banners in hand. Passers-by were eager to ask questions and that enabled us to hand out leaflets and spread even more awareness. We ended outside Zizzi on Market Street, a great position to be seen! Again we continued our chanting and speeches which were incredibly inspiring. 

If you’re considering or even just slightly curious as to whether to get involved please consider protesting locally! It’s a great and less daunting place to start and allows you to ask questions and discuss your views. Any form of activism is needed. The future, our future, our kids and grandkids future are at stake and we need to act now. It’s urgent. We need the government to listen and as a globe we need to make changes and spread awareness and education. 

So if you’re interested in these climate strikes then check out the nearest ones to you and come along, everyone and anyone is welcome! Check out websites like the Extinction Rebellion, UK Student Climate Network (if you’re in the UK) and WWF to find your local strike. 

I appreciate you taking the time to read my blog! Make sure you share this with family and friends considering protesting. Please subscribe to get notified when I upload, typically every other day and check out my social media links down below!

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Check out my previous blog: https://www.tellusabouttheenvironment.com/2019/09/tellus-lush-rallies-for-climate-protests.html