Thousands across Scotland joined millions across the world to demand action in the face of the climate emergency
SCOTLAND has joined with nations across the world in a global strike demanding action to halt the climate emergency that threatens the future of the human race.
Amongst the millions that participated in the global protest were children and teenagers from schools throughout Scotland, who joined with activists and politicians, environmentalists and conservationists, charities and trade unions, young and old to argue for the necessity of a radical response to climate change. Many of those involved recognised the crucial role of the world’s youth in leading the way.
On 19 September, a day ahead of the climate strike, the Scottish Parliament saw First Minister Nicola Sturgeon state that involvement in the demonstrations will not cost any Scottish student their bursary, shortly after the Scottish Children’s Commissioner Bruce Adamson strongly urged the country’s education leaders to issue no punishment against those young people absent from school because of their involvement in the protest.
These positions strongly contrasted with that of the UK Education Secretary Gavin Williamson, who said: “Every child should be in school.”
CommonSpace has been reporting on the strike actions in Edinburgh and Glasgow throughout the day.
Scotland
In the Scottish capital, thousands assembled peacefully in the Meadows before marching on Holyrood.
Edinburgh #ClimateStrike approaching the Scottish Parliament pic.twitter.com/NZF3ofbT0n
— Sean Bell (@SeanCMBell) September 20, 2019
CommonSpace spoke to National Union of Students Scotland president Liam McCabe, who addressed the crowd and affirmed NUS Scotland’s commitment to supporting further action on climate change:
President of @NUSScotland @_liammccabe_ gives his impression of the Edinburgh #ClimateStrike and what comes next: pic.twitter.com/FW1jgRrejD
— Sean Bell (@SeanCMBell) September 20, 2019
Glasgow also saw a massive turnout for the demonstration.
Thousands pouring down Saucihall Street right now demanding climate justice. #YouthClimateStrike #ClimateStrike #GlobalClimateStrike pic.twitter.com/wIXLu5uVSr
— Rhiannon (@RhiannonDavies) September 20, 2019
CommonSpace spoke to Green MSP Ross Greer, in attendance at the Glasgow strike:
“Young people are shaming the governments and institutions… You can’t be serious about tackling the climate crisis if you’re also committed to the future of North Sea oil & gas past 2050”@Ross_Greer speaking to @TheCommonSpace at Glasgow #ClimateStrike #schoolstrike4climate pic.twitter.com/hhHzoawQbd
— Rhiannon (@RhiannonDavies) September 20, 2019
We also spoke to some of the young people who walked out of school to make their voices heard:
“Lead us in the direction we all want to go” was a message from one 13 year old for @NicolaSturgeon.
For @BorisJohnson the message was to “start focusing on climate change not Brexit”.
From #GlasgowClimateStrike #YouthClimateStrike #ClimateStrike pic.twitter.com/T6tN2HSaVg
— Rhiannon (@RhiannonDavies) September 20, 2019
Amazing turn out at the Edinburgh #ClimateStrike and all around the world! We are in a #ClimateEmergency and we have no time to waste.
There is global demand for action to be taken NOW. ??? #GlobalClimateStrike pic.twitter.com/DIlLp5Tf9K— WWF Scotland ? (@WWFScotland) September 20, 2019
Today we are at George Square to join the #GlobalClimateStrike. Come and chat to us to learn more about our #GreenNewDeal campaign to tackle the climate crisis in Scotland. @_sycs_ #schoolstrike4climate #YouthClimateStrike #GlasgowClimateStrike pic.twitter.com/0iUiAMpKtD
— The Common Weal (@Common_Weal) September 20, 2019
Can’t see the end of this march… #ClimateStrikes #GlobalClimateStrike pic.twitter.com/RYDKASwLLO
— Global Justice Now Scotland ??????? (@globaljusticesc) September 20, 2019
England
The rest of the UK also saw enormous engagement with the strike.
Good morning from the #GlobalClimateStrike in London. It’s a hot sunny day (for September), and there are already thousands of people on the move in #Westminster ready to #TakeClimateAction pic.twitter.com/MEJpuCFY6V
— Friends of the Earth ? (@friends_earth) September 20, 2019
Our National Committee member @NadiaWhittome spoke at the #ClimateStrike in Nottingham ✊?
Our response to climate chaos must be international, and it must have workers and migrants’ rights at its heart.
For a radical Green New Deal and free movement for all. ? pic.twitter.com/z3Vzm5x4z2
— Another Europe (@Another_Europe) September 20, 2019
?? We’ve had lots of comments over the last 24hrs asking WHY the RSPB is supporting the Global #ClimateStrikes today
Why wouldn’t we? Our mission of saving nature is intrinsically linked to the issue of climate change. We MUST tackle both.
Share if you agree ? pic.twitter.com/hvXuhhkU5q
— RSPB England ? (@RSPBEngland) September 20, 2019
Climate change demonstrators bring #Liverpool to a standstill as they march through the city centre #GlobalClimateStrike pic.twitter.com/DLvPtGi1y3
— Paul Doward (@RadioNewsDigger) September 20, 2019
The world
“Danke Greta”
Children taking part in the #GlobalClimateStrike are honoring Greta Thunberg, the teenage activist who inspired mass youth protests on climate change.
?? France
?? Indonesia
?? Germany
?? India pic.twitter.com/oZHFN299fu— AJ+ (@ajplus) September 20, 2019
With the #UnitedNations Climate Action Summit set to begin next week in New York, millions of activists around the world have already begun massive demonstrations for the #climatestrike to take place Sept. 20-27. https://t.co/nj0VMdhUDB
— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) September 20, 2019
“Fuck corporate greed, we want a clean future” – young climate activist #ClimateStrike Washington DC. pic.twitter.com/D52xjPp83r
— Josue De Luna Navarro (@Josue_DeLuna) September 20, 2019
Incredible pictures as Australia’s gathering for the #climatestrike
This is the huge crowd building up in Sydney.
Australia is setting the standard!
Its bedtime in New York…so please share as many pictures as you can as the strikes move across Asia to Europe and Africa! pic.twitter.com/7eAPUQPq5C— Greta Thunberg (@GretaThunberg) September 20, 2019
New York City’s 1.1 million public school students have permission to skip class to participate in today’s global climate strikes, but teachers have been barred from attending during school hours https://t.co/mAlJfOInFS
— The New York Times (@nytimes) September 20, 2019
The Paris strikes are fierce & powerful ✊✊✊ #ClimateStrike pic.twitter.com/5OWnbCd6ZX
— 350.org Europe (@350Europe) September 20, 2019
An estimated 100,000 people in Berlin on #ClimateStrike. Today is massive pic.twitter.com/kSS7NulTx0
— Brian Kahn (@blkahn) September 20, 2019
Some fresh pictures of today’s incredible #ClimateStrike in Dublin pic.twitter.com/oZG506PfPv
— Extinction Rebellion Ireland (@ExtinctRebelsIE) September 20, 2019
Picture: CommonSpace
