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Kids protesting — cute, right? But not exactly.
The media coverage of the rise in youth climate protests in recent years has been condescending. It is as if young people are playing activism and the adults should handle the policies.
But if you actually listen to what young people are saying, you quickly realize that these “kids” are at the forefront of one of the most radically transformative social movements in modern history, informing the very policies that are needed to mitigate the climate crisis.
The Fridays for the FutureGreta Thunberg was the first activist to start this kind of activism. Thunberg’s school strike, which was a huge success, will be back March 25 with millions of participants around the world.
The theme for the upcoming strike will be #PeopleNotProfit, a slogan that has gained popularity over the past decade as people worldwide question the seemingly insatiable drive for economic growth that’s jeopardizing the global environment.
In Make a statementFridays for Future organizers have bluntly stated the causes of the climate crisis.
“Colonizers and capitalists are at the core of every system of oppression that has caused the climate crisis, and decolonization, using the tool of climate reparations, is the best kind of climate action,” they wrote. “The richest capitalist 1% must be held responsible for their actions and willful ignorance. Their profit is also our death. Their profit is our suffering.”
They also explain what it will take for this system to be overcome.
“Together with different sectors of society across the world, led by the most marginalized, let’s bring back the power to the people whose power has been stolen,” they wrote. “Together, let’s build a system and home where we prioritize #PeopleNotProfit.”
Global Citizen reached out to three youth organizers from different countries to find out what they’re thinking ahead of the strike in their particular contexts.
Anjelica Foley, 18, Ireland
Hey! I’m Anjelica Foley (she/her), I’m a climate justice activist (in progress!) Organising with @SchoolStrikesIE & @FFFireland! I’ll be doing a takeover to talk about what Europe has planned for the Global Climate Strike on March 25th! pic.twitter.com/HqPDdxmVmw
— Fridays For Future (@Fridays4future) March 17, 2022
What message are you trying to send to the rest of the world?
We want the world to know that we are still there and cannot be ignored. Climate change must be addressed. It cannot be ignored or neglected. #PeopleNotProfit is the strike’s slogan. This strikes because the world’s leaders have their priorities wrong. Climate justice and climate action are needed because climate change is affecting real people.
What gives you hope in the midst of the growing climate crisis?
In terms of what gives me hope, I’d have to say it’s the people around me and those in the climate movement who are unflinchingly resistant and resilient. It can get draining and sometimes depressing when you know how urgent this crisis is but nothing is being done, so it’s really the people around you who boost morale and give you hope.
What can the government of Ireland do to meet its climate commitments?
I believe that the government of Ireland must treat the climate crisis as an emergency and not as a threat to its existence. It was declared a crisis of climate, but there are still plans for new gas-fired power stations to be built in the country. We must take action now to stop fossil fuels from being used in the future and the ground.
Abidur Rahman, 20, Bangladesh
What message are you trying to send to the rest of the world?
The message we have has been the same throughout — to everyone this greed, this stupidity, this incompetence of the leaders are ruining all of our lives now and our future. We must not let them forget the promises they made to save the climate. People shouldn’t lose their lives, their livelihood, for the governments’ and companies’ incompetence. Join us in saying, “People over profit.”
What gives you hope in the midst of the growing climate crisis?
People — what they can do if they have the knowledge and the urgency — bring me hope. I am inspired by the efforts of the activists, the scientists and the smart people who are trying to solve the climate crisis.
What should the government do in Bangladesh to fulfill its climate commitments?
The government of Bangladesh must control corruption and stop corrupt, profit-hungry businesses from ruining people’s lives. The government must be more observant with things such as [Phase 2 of the] Power plant Matarbari … and plan for a long-term, safe, and sustainable future.
Jon Bonifacio, 24, Philippines
What message would you like to send the world with the upcoming strikes?
The climate crisis is real and imminent. It is imperative that the Global North fulfills its commitment to provide adequate climate finance for the most affected peoples and regions as soon as possible. This is in recognition and repartee for the historic injustice caused by the massive carbon emission of countries in the Global North.
Climate finance has been primarily provided in the form of loans. This has caused countries to fall into debt crises rather than helping them. This must change. Activists from the Global South, along with our Global North allies, will continue to press world leaders to act now and pay up. They must also put people and planet first.
What gives you hope in the midst of the growing climate crisis?
The climate crisis in the Philippines is becoming more apparent to youth and the general public. Not only are they experiencing the worsening effects of climate change firsthand, but different sections of Philippine society are also becoming more aware through the work of civil-society organizations. Although there is still much to be done, I am optimistic that these efforts will lead to the large-scale collective action needed to address the climate crisis from its roots.
What can the Philippines government do to fulfill its climate promises?
This May will see our national elections. It’s a crucial opportunity to push for a leadership who will prioritize climate action as well as climate justice. Youth climate activists are joining forces to raise the discourse on climate change in this election cycle — unfortunately, it’s not talked about as much as it should be. While we take steps to ensure that our NDCs are properly funded, [nationally determined contributions]if climate finance from the Global North is increased, and this will increase calls for climate finance from other countries. However, adaptation is an urgent concern for a country that is frequently hit by devastating Typhoons.
Youth Advocates for Climate Action Philippines together with other climate and justice advocates is opposing what is called the Marcos–Duterte tandem. The son of our former dictator/president Marcos is running for president while the daughter of our strongman president Duterte is running for vice president.
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