Thousands of Students Are Skipping School to Protest Climate Change

Youth Climate Strike School Strike for Climate FridaysforFuture Greta Thunberg

Stock Photos from Ben Gingell/Shutterstock

On March 15, 2019, students from over 100 countries are skipping school and gathering in protest of climate change. With picket signs in hand, these young activists are setting up camp outside of government buildings—from tiny town halls to meeting points for parliaments—in a bid to prompt politicians to take action.

This global manifestation is a part of #FridaysForFuture, a movement started by Greta Thunberg, a teenage activist. Last year, Thunberg famously held a solo strike in Stockholm, Sweden. In the lead-up to her country's general elections, Thunberg parked herself outside of parliament every school day. Following the elections, she protested every Friday—a move that motivated children across the globe to do the same.

Youth Climate Strike School Strike for Climate FridaysforFuture Greta Thunberg

Stock Photos from Per Grunditz/Shutterstock

#FridaysForFuture has spawned several strikes, with the Youth Climate Strike and School Strike for Climate among the most widespread. While each demonstration has its own set of demands and suggested solutions, they share a single goal: to change history before it's too late.

“Tomorrow we school strike for the climate in 1769 places in 112 countries around the world. And counting. Everyone is welcome. Everyone is needed. Let’s change history. And let’s never stop for as long as it takes.” Thunberg shared this inspiring message on Twitter yesterday—the same day that she was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize. If she wins, she will be the youngest Nobel laureate to date.

So how does Thunberg feel about her nomination? “It's obviously a great honor and nice to be nominated for such a big prize,” she told Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet. “It feels unreal, and a little strange.” Remarkably, on the heels of this life-changing announcement, Thunberg is still focused on today's FridaysForFuture strikes—and you should be, too.

To find out where protests are taking place globally, check out this interactive map by #FridaysforFuture. And, for locations across the United States, stop by the Youth Climate Strike site.

Today, thousands of students will skip school to support Greta Thunberg's call for climate change action.

Youth Climate Strike School Strike for Climate FridaysforFuture Greta Thunberg

Stock Photos from Ben Gingell/Shutterstock

Youth Climate Strike School Strike for Climate FridaysforFuture Greta Thunberg

Stock Photos from Ben Gingell/Shutterstock

Youth Climate Strike School Strike for Climate FridaysforFuture Greta Thunberg

Stock Photos from Rolf G Wackenberg/Shutterstock

h/t: [Inhabitat, Green Matters]

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Kelly Richman-Abdou

Kelly Richman-Abdou is a Contributing Writer at My Modern Met. An art historian living in Paris, Kelly was born and raised in San Francisco and holds a BA in Art History from the University of San Francisco and an MA in Art and Museum Studies from Georgetown University. When she’s not writing, you can find Kelly wandering around Paris, whether she’s leading a tour (as a guide, she has been interviewed by BBC World News America and France 24) or simply taking a stroll with her husband and two tiny daughters.
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