Beth Irving, 17, tells her: “We need action from the government. We can’t wait any longer, we are running out of time. This issue should have been the defining issue of the generation before us but instead it’s up to us to make sure it doesn’t become the issue for future generations.”
From Denmark to the Philippines, students have been telling us why today is so important.
Anna Raadshøj, 18, from Vejle in Denmark said we must act now: “We’re singing songs together, marching together and writing letters to the Danish government. We can’t wait 30 years in the future before we take action against climate change. The future is now and therefore we must act now.
“The movement feels like a big step in the right direction. Climate change is something we must overcome together globally. I just wish the politicians would listen to us kids, teenagers and young people more.”
Students taking part in climate change protests in Denmark. Photograph: Anna Raadshøj
Further away in Bukidnon, Philippines, 18-year-old Vanessa Flores wants to be a part of the global movement demanding action: “I am the child of a farmer here in the uplands of Bukidnon and we are experiencing the impact of climate change through unpredictable weather that results in damaged crops and food insecurity for our community.
“Students and teachers of the Apu Palamguwan Cultural Education Center will be doing the 12km walk down the mountain in solidarity with other schools who will be striking. I think the movement is very inspiring and gives us young people a voice in the ongoing discussions on climate change.”
Vanessa Flores talking about climate change at the Apu Palamguwan Cultural Education Center in Mindanao, Philippines. Photograph: Apu Palamguwan Cultural Education Center
Elena D’Onofrio, 17, in Florence, Italy feels good about all the people taking part today: “The world is falling apart and we’re the only generation that’s going to be affected by it, so we need to get our governments and politicians to listen. I’ll be joining the Fridays for Future Firenze organisation which has planned a strike around the city.
“I love that there’s finally a lot more participation and that we are supported by important people such as American congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. People are starting to realise the importance of our planet and the very little time we have left to save it.”
Signs for the climate strikes in Florence, Italy. Photograph: Elena D’Onofrio
Switzerland is another country that has seen large numbers of students striking for several months now, and thousands of students have turned out to protest today.
Climate change is already highly visible in Switzerland – its glaciers are receding several metres every year, while melting snow means new infrastructure must be built for climbers and skiers.
Thousands of students demonstrate during a climate protest in Lausanne, Switzerland. Photograph: Jean-Christophe Bott/EPA
Protesters in London have gone heavy on the placards. Photograph: Kirsty O’Connor/PA
By 10.30am a steady stream of schoolchildren were pouring into London’s Parliament Square brandishing homemade banners declaring “coral not coal”, “Stop denying the earth is dying” and “why the actual fuck are we studying for a future we won’t even have?”
Among were a group of 12 and 13 year old girls from Waldergrave School for girls. Lourdes, 13, who was with her dad Leif Cid said they felt they had no choice but to come. “The world is getting hotter and hotter but the adults, the politicians aren’t doing anything about it … we have to do something.”
Another group of students had travelled up from Kent. “We are all scared – scared and angry that nothing is being done,” said Casey 17. “This crisis is not being discussed nearly as much as it should be … we want it in the headlines every day we want it everywhere.”
Will Joseph Cook, 21, said the action this generation took would have ramifications for centuries to come. “It can be kind of scary to realise what’s at stake and the small window we have in which to act – but at the same time you can see that lots of people care deeply about this and are prepared to act.”
By 11am a couple of thousand young people had gathered on the grass opposite Parliament chanting “Climate change has got to go.”
A big crowd, several thousand strong, has now gathered in central London and is making its way up Whitehall, blocking traffic and chanting “climate justice now!”
“There is nothing being done and things are going to poo,” said Kadijah, 17. “In 10 years it will be too late … We are scared.”
10 years ago, the film The Age of Stupid imagined the inhabitants of the world of 2055 asking: “Why didn’t we save ourselves when we had the chance?”
This new short documentary by the Guardian revisits the influential film and some of its participants, looking at why those in power have not done enough in the last decade. It examines whether the climate strikers are finally a sign of hope, and asks if we are still on track for the catastrophic future the film foretold.
The Age of Stupid revisited: what's changed on climate change? – video
Protesters in Düsseldorf, Germany, created a giant Greta Thunberg carnival float for the Rose Monday celebrations on 4 March, and have wheeled her out again today. The text reads “Now do something about the climate catastrophe.”
Students use a carnival float depicting Swedish environmental campaigner Greta Thunberg during the school climate strikes. Photograph: Wolfgang Rattay/Reuters
Students across Spain are joining the strike, with the biggest demos beginning in Madrid and Barcelona at midday. About 45 rallies involving young people from towns and cities around Spain are scheduled to take place today.
Young People for Climate, the apolitical group that has led today’s action, says it had felt compelled to join the global push for action and was prepared to sit down with politicians of any stripe to discuss the issue.
“Most of the politicians we have right now won’t be alive in 50 years’ time, but we will, and we can’t rely on their interests and commitments,” one of the founders, Lucas Barrero, told the Europa Press news agency.
Spain’s minister for ecological transition, Teresa Ribera, tweeted her support for the strike on Thursday night, writing: “For your children, for the people you love, for the planet you love … express yourself, act, demand and support [it].
The UK environment secretary, Michael Gove, has praised the youth strikes for climate in a video message with other Conservative MPs.
“Collective action of the kind you’re championing can make a difference, and a profound one,” said Gove. “Together we can beat climate change.”
“It will require us to change the way in which our energy is generated, change the way in which our homes are built, change the way in which our land is managed and farming operates,” he said. “But that change is absolutely necessary.”
Rebecca Pow MP said: “Your passion is an inspiration.”
Large number of schoolchildren outside the Scottish Parliament this morning calling for action to tackle climate change #ClimateStrikepic.twitter.com/vv4mWUeMda
There is also a protest taking place outside Glasgow’s City Chambers and elsewhere around Scotland, including: Fenwick, East Kilbride, Coatbridge, Stirling, Inverkeithing, Peebles, Fort William, Forres, St Andrews, Inverness, Ullapool, South Uist, Aberdeen, Aberdour, Kirkwall and Eigg
The writer and environmentalist George Monbiot and representatives of the UK Student Climate Network are currently taking part in a Q&A about the strikes.
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