Why Young People Want Adults to Join the Global Climate Strike

"We need to show them that everybody is worried about climate change."

Back in May, one of the biggest environmental protests of all time took place, and it was led by young people. Over a million students across the globe walked out of their classrooms and took to the streets, demanding political action on climate change.

The strike was inspired by Swedish teen activist Greta Thunberg, who recently received Amnesty International’s Ambassador of Conscience Award for 2019. She’s also nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.   

Young people have taken charge. But now, they want the adults to step up.

That is what this month's Global Strike for Climate is all about. As 13-year-old climate activist and author Bella Burgemeister tells Student Edge, it’s time for a multigenerational approach.

"This September strike is a global strike, so anybody can come," she says.

"We need everybody there. We need a multigenerational group of people to act on this big issue," Bella says.

"We need to show them that everybody is worried about climate change, not just the youth."

And the youth are very worried. ReachOut and Student Edge have released new survey data indicating that 80 per cent of students are somewhat or very anxious about climate change.

Out of the 1,500 students aged between 14 – 23 who participated in the survey, 17 per cent reported that they had lost sleep due to being worried about climate change.

Bella has personally experienced concerns about climate change since she was around 10.

"About three years ago, my mum showed me a video called The World’s Largest Lesson," she explains.

"In the video, Malala was talking about how the planet needs our help and we need to start acting now, even kids.

"That gave me the idea to write a book and learn more. The more I learn from the scientists, the more I know we need action. If our politicians won’t fight for the planet, then we will."

Bella’s book, Bella’s Challenge, was published in 2017, with copies going to all schools in the South West region of Western Australia, where she has been busy helping organise strikes in the area.

"I’m down in Bunbury for this September strike, and we are planning on marching through the main street," Bella explains.

"There’s a whole group of us that are organising it. We are expecting about 400 people. That’s good for Bunbury!"

Pictured: Bella Burgemeister (Supplied).

This month’s strikes will see millions of people demand an end to the age of fossil fuels. Bella hopes that with adults marching too, it might have more of an impact on politicians.

"I’m hoping that it will wake up the leaders, so that young people can go back to worrying about school, and not worrying about what’s going to happen to our future," she says.

Bella’s attitude is mirrored by many other young people around Australia. Out of the young people we surveyed, 77 per cent did not believe that young people’s concerns about climate change are being suitably addressed.

A total of 82 per cent of students surveyed moderately or strongly agreed with the statement "climate change is going to diminish my quality of life in the future".

Bella stresses that it’s important for everybody, no matter what age, to attend the strikes.

"It’s important to show that everybody cares about this issue," she says.

"I believe when the scientists are telling us that climate change is real, and we have little time to turn it around, we need to listen."

Header Image: Facebook (School Strike 4 Climate)