The school strike movement, Fridays For Future, has called for a global climate action day to hold on September 25, 2020, when demonstrations and manifestations will take place all across the globe, in keeping with Covid-19 circumstances.
During the last few months, the Covid-19 pandemic has forced activists to find new ways of protest and use digital activism to demand climate action, as marches have not been appropriate. September 25 will be the first global action day of the year.
According to the organisation, the coming months and years will be crucial in ensuring a safe pathway below 1.5 °C increase in global mean temperature, a target stated in the Paris Agreement.
“If we are to minimise the risks of triggering irreversible chain reactions beyond human control, we need to act now. It is therefore vital that the climate crisis doesn’t get forgotten in the shadow of the coronavirus but is regarded as the utmost priority. Fridays For Future will keep protesting as long as the exploitation of nature is allowed to continue,” the group said in a statement made available to EnviroNews on Friday, July 24, 2020.
It added that the form of protest will be adjusted according to local Covid-19 conditions, adding that, in places where physical action will be taking place, participants will be asked to take precautions to prevent the spread of the virus.
“In cases where physical protest is inappropriate, we will instead turn to digital action,” the group stated.
Eric Damien from Fridays For Future Kenya said: “The pandemic has shown us that politicians have the power to act quickly and consistent with the best available science. But not even amid a pandemic is the climate crisis on hold. No measures have been taken to lower worldwide greenhouse gas emissions in a sustainable and just manner.
“The billion-dollar-investments that are now made to tackle the pandemic and its aftermath must be in line with the Paris Agreement.”
Disha Ravi from Fridays For Future India said: “To actually experience the climate crisis makes you understand the urgency of the situation. Millions are losing their homes and livelihoods, this can no longer exist in a vacuum.
“We need world leaders to prioritise humanity over greed. The youth are going to come together, over and over again – each time more strategic and united than ever before.”
