Today has been a big day for the fight against climate change, with thousands of school students in over 60 cities striking across the UK to demand governmental action and accountability. Amongst their demands is the call for the government to declare a ‘climate emergency’, and to take the appropriate steps to tackle the problem, including keeping the public more informed as to the seriousness of the situation. This swell of youth engagement started with the Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, whose vigil outside the Swedish government buildings in 2018 has inspired young people all around the globe to follow her lead.
The official line from Downing Street was to criticise the display for causing disruption to school timetables and teachers’ workloads, and state that “[lesson time] is crucial for young people precisely so that they can develop into the top scientists, engineers and advocates that we need to help tackle this problem," which is a not so subtle way of telling students that they should stay out of the big issues and let the adults deal with it. Evidently, though, they are not dealing with it, with the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change giving us 12 years to reduce our carbon emissions before it is too late, and yet nothing appears to be being done. If we continue to leave things to the adults, it may be too late by the time the teenagers of today become scientists, engineers, and advocates. According to the National Centre for Social Research, 32% of 18 - 34 year olds are ‘very’ or ‘extremely’ worried about climate change compared with just 20% of over 65s, and so we need to be looking to the younger generation for their passion and their drive rather than leaving it to the complacency of older generations.
Whilst the official line from the government was disapproval, many MPs have come out in support of the demonstrations, with Caroline Lucas calling it the “most hopeful thing that's happened in years”, Jeremy Corbyn finding it “inspiring”, and even the Prime Minister’s own energy minister Claire Perry saying that she was “incredibly proud” of all those involved. The strikes have garnered support from all across the country, with the Mayor of Sheffield even promising to come in to schools and speak to any teachers that give their students trouble for missing class. Greta Thunberg herself tweeted her support for British students, quipping that political leaders wasting thirty years of inaction was “slightly worse” than students wasting a day of lesson time.
Through forcing the climate crisis into the public forum, the strikes today have ensured that the issue cannot simply be glossed over. As the vast majority of those protesting cannot yet vote, this is the clearest path they have to impacting policy and enacting meaningful change, but politicians should be aware that by the time the next election does roll around, they will have a lot of righteously angry, environmentally aware 18-year olds to contend with, who will not stand for complacency. The magnitude of today's events cannot be ignored. The students have the attention of UK politicians, of major news outlets, and of global commentators, demonstrating the power that one voice can have when it inspires the action of many.
https://www.schoolstrike4climate.com/
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