Economic Indicators

The many faces and massive scale of the global climate strike

Filipino indigenous youth, students, and environmental activists take part in the Global Climate Strike on Sept. 20, 2019 in Quezon city, Metro Manila, Philippines.
Filipino indigenous youth, students, and environmental activists take part in the Global Climate Strike on Sept. 20, 2019 in Quezon city, Metro Manila, Philippines.
Image: Ezra Acayan/Getty Images)
By
Johnny Simon
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Young people and activists have been taking to the streets in cities around the world today to protest against inaction in the face of global climate change.

Today’s climate strike is a continuation of a movement popularized by Swedish teenager and Nobel Peace Prize nominee Greta Thunberg, who began a weekly protest in August 2018 in front of the Swedish parliament. This time she will be demonstrating and speaking in New York City, which she reached, famously, by traveling across the Atlantic via sailboat. In her time in the US, she has testified to Congress and will appear at the UN General Assembly, which kicks off next week.

While the Global Climate Strike protests are filling city streets (and at least one beach, on the Solomon Islands) with demonstrators of all ages, the movement is notable for its emphasis on the young people who will inherit the climate crises of the future. In demonstrations around the world, they are sending forth a serious message on the imminent danger of climate change, the importance of a rapid transition away from fossil fuels, as well as the need to pay attention to those people who will face the consequences of a shifting climate far worse than others.

Here is a glimpse of where people are protesting today:

United States

Sixteen year-old Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg takes part in a demonstration as part of the Global Climate Strike in lower Manhattan in New York on Sept. 20.
Sixteen year-old Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg takes part in a demonstration as part of the Global Climate Strike in lower Manhattan in New York on Sept. 20.
Image: Reuters/Shannon Stapleton
Demonstrators march to the US Capitol as part of the Youth Climate Strike in Washington DC on Sept. 20, 2019.
Demonstrators march to the US Capitol as part of the Youth Climate Strike in Washington DC on Sept. 20, 2019.
Image: Reuters/James Lawler Duggan
Demonstrators march to the US Capitol as part of the Youth Climate Strike in Washington DC on Sept. 20, 2019.
Demonstrators march to the US Capitol as part of the Youth Climate Strike in Washington DC on Sept. 20, 2019.
Image: Reuters/James Lawler Duggan

Romania

Activists participate in a rally demanding action on climate change in Bucharest, Romania on Sept. 20.
Activists participate in a rally demanding action on climate change in Bucharest, Romania on Sept. 20.
Image: Inquam Photos via Reuters

Mexico

People take part during a Global Climate Strike rally in Mexico City, Mexico on Sept 20.
People take part during a Global Climate Strike rally in Mexico City, Mexico on Sept 20.
Image: Reuters/Carlos Jasso

Australia

People take part in a protest to call for action on climate change in Sydney, Australia on Sept. 20.
People take part in a protest to call for action on climate change in Sydney, Australia on Sept. 20.
Image: Reuters/Cordelia Hsu
Climate change protesters are seen crossing the Victoria Bridge during the Global Strike 4 Climate rally in Brisbane
Climate change protesters are seen crossing the Victoria Bridge in Brisbane.during the Global Strike 4 Climate rally in Brisbane, Australia on Sept. 20.
Image: AAP Image/Darren England via Reuters
A general view of protestors holding placards as they march on Sept. 20, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia.
A general view of protestors holding placards as they march on Sept. 20, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia.
Image: Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images

India

Global Climate Strike
An activist takes part in a Global Climate Strike rally in Kolkata, India on Sept. 20.
Image: Reuters/Rupak De Chowdhuri

Kenya

Global Climate Strike
Environmental activists hold signs as they take part in the Global Climate Strike protest on Sept. 20 in Nairobi.
Image: Reuters/Baz Ratner

Bangladesh

School students and protesters gather during a climate strike rally on Sept. 20, 2019 in Dhaka.
School students and protesters gather during a climate strike rally on Sept. 20, 2019 in Dhaka.
Image: Allison Joyce/Getty Images

Thailand

Environmental activist play dead as they participate in a Global Climate Strike near the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment office in Bangkok
Environmental activists play dead as they participate in a Global Climate Strike near the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment office in Bangkok on Sept. 20.
Image: Reuters/Soe Zeya Tun

Solomon Islands

Students attend a climate change protest on Marovo Island, Solomon Islands, Sept. 20.
Students attend a climate change protest on Marovo Island, Solomon Islands, Sept. 20.
Image: 350 PACIFIC/via REUTERS

Poland

Young activists take part in an environmental demonstration, part of the Global Climate Strike, in Krakow, Poland, on Sept. 20.
Young activists take part in an environmental demonstration, part of the Global Climate Strike, in Krakow, Poland, on Sept. 20.
Image: Jakub Wlodek/Agencja Gazeta via REUTERS

Japan

Participants hold signs and shout slogans during Global Climate Strike on Sept. 20, in Tokyo
Participants hold signs and shout slogans during Global Climate Strike on Sept. 20, in Tokyo
Image: Yuichi Yamazaki/Getty Images

Germany

Participants in the Fridays For Future movement protest during a nationwide climate change action day in front of the Brandenburg Gate on Sept. 20 in Berlin, Germany.
Participants in the Fridays For Future movement protest during a nationwide climate change action day in front of the Brandenburg Gate on Sept. 20 in Berlin, Germany.
Image: Carsten Koall/Getty Images
Protesters in Karlsruhe, Germany, on Sept. 20.
Protesters in Karlsruhe, Germany, on Sept. 20.
Image: Quartz/Zoe Schlanger

Ukraine

Ukrainian activists take part in a rally demanding actions on climate change in Kiev on Sept. 20, joining similar protests globally, three days ahead of the United Nations emergency climate summit.
Ukrainian activists take part in a rally demanding actions on climate change in Kiev on Sept. 20, joining similar protests globally, three days ahead of the United Nations emergency climate summit.
Image: Reuters/Gleb Garanich

United Kingdom

People attend a climate change demonstration in London.
People attend a climate change demonstration in London.
Image: Reuters/Simon Dawson
People attend a climate change demonstration in London.
People attend a climate change demonstration in London.
Image: Hannah McKay

Indonesia

A girl holds a placard as she takes part in Global Climate Strike rally in Jakarta, Indonesia, Sept. 20.
A girl holds a placard as she takes part in Global Climate Strike rally in Jakarta, Indonesia, Sept. 20.
Image: Reuters/Ireme Barlian

Pakistan

People take part in the Global Climate Strike walk in Lahore, Pakistan.
People take part in the Global Climate Strike walk in Lahore, Pakistan.
Image: Reuters/Mohsin Raza


This story will be updated throughout the day.