20-27 September 2019, we saw a record 7.6 million people take to the streets and strike for climate action. The biggest climate mobilisation in history. From Jakarta to New York, Karachi to Amman, Berlin to Kampala, Istanbul to Québec, Guadalajara to Asunción, in big cities and small villages, millions of people joined hands and raised their voices in defense of the climate.
Friday, 20 September 2019, the now world-wide movement Friday for Future called for renewed efforts and strikes for climate protection, ahead of the UN climate summit in New York. A large number of environment organisations, but also trade unions, cultural organisations, even companies and countless individuals of all ages supported the call for ACTION NOW! by Swedish activist Greta Thunberg and the student movements in more than 185 countries.
In Berlin some 270,000 people took to the street, in Bremen more than 30,000. Düsseldorf counted some 20,000 (see right) with lots of creative, often home-made posters. In Paris, demonstrators shouted "Le niveau de l'océan monte, notre colère aussi" - the same slogan in London went "Sealevel is rising, so are we".
Mundus maris had, of course, called to participate and supported the strike wherever there are members and sympathisers.
The climate crisis is upon us, everybody has seen the glaciers melt, the Arctic ice retreating dramatically, extremely hot temperatures and drought in some regions, inundations in others. The turnout was impressive, but politicians and most companies are still hesitant to accept and engage in serious change.
We need to continue and take concrete action, whenever and wherever possible. Everyone can start with themselves and reduce energy consumption and waste... and we can unite to stop international companies from destroying the planet with their rapacious exploitation of resources and people.
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