The days the world said no to climate change
In September 2019, climate strikes swept across the world, writes Claudia Lee.
The protests took place across 4,500 locations in 150 countries. Children, parents, grandparents and trade unionists stepped out to demand action be taken to address climate change.
On the two major strike days, September 20, and September 27, protests by school pupils and young activists were organised in Bromley and Croydon.
The Bromley Climate Strike took place on Friday, September 20, with protestors gathering on the high street between Primark and Barclays.
Timed at 3.30pm to avoid students skipping school, the Bromley Climate Change group called for “urgent action in Bromley and beyond.”
Despite the council’s 2029 target for net-zero emissions on council activities, protesters demanded a “transformation” that would lead to cleaner air, new green jobs, and a brighter future for the borough’s children.
The Bromley Climate Change Facebook page urged residents to “unite to fight global warming” and “call for action in Bromley and beyond.”
Protesters in Croydon took to the streets to talk to members of the public about the climate activist group, Extinction Rebellion (XR).
The protest was arranged by Croydon XR – the local wing of the national movement.
About 25 people joined the protest with young families and seasoned environmental campaigners filling the ranks.
The protesters met at M&S in North End and marched down to the town hall.
In central London, larger groups culminated with the main protest in Millbank.
Here, Jeremy Corbyn and Green MP, Caroline Lucas, addressed the crowd with the Labour leader promising a “green industrial revolution” to tackle the climate crisis and create hundreds of thousands of well-paid unionised jobs.
The protests were all part of the #FridaysForFuture movement, also known as the Youth Strike for Climate, led by Greta Thunberg.
Organisers said the September strikes were the biggest-ever environmental protest the UK had seen, with 300,000-350,000 taking part, including more than 100,000 people in London.
And Londoners were not alone, people protested from the Pacific islands, through Australia, across South East Asia and Africa into Europe and out across the Americas all united in their call for action.
Picture: A young protester holds a homemade poster that reads ‘Poisoned Childhood’ Picture: Flickr, Kristian Buus, Survival Media
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