FAQs about Climate Emergency

5. Why was the Climate Emergency inspired by young people?

Greta’s message that has mobilized thousands of people is very simple. The adults, the political class, are not doing enough to avoid climate change and it is they, the youngest, who are forced to fight for their future. “In 50 years, most of the current politicians will not be there anymore, but we will be completely affected by what happens with the planet,” the young teen argues.

On August 20, 2018, Greta, who was then in ninth grade, decided not to attend school until Sweden’s general elections of 2018, held on September 9, following the heat wave and forest fires in Sweden. Their demands were directed to the Swedish government to reduce carbon emissions based on what was established in the Paris Agreement, so it decided to protest sitting on the outskirts of Parliament every day during the school day, holding a sign that said “School strike for the weather”.

After the general elections, Greta continued protesting only on Fridays, which drew international attention. She inspired students from all over the world to participate in school strikes. Since December 2018, thousands of students held demonstrations in more than 270 cities in several countries around the world, including Germany, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, the Netherlands, Denmark, the United States, Finland, Japan, the United Kingdom and Switzerland.

FAQs about Climate Emergency

1. When, where and why was the Climate Emergency declared?

2. What are the objectives of the Climate Emergency?

3. What consequences can the declaration of Climate Emergency have?

4. Who is Greta Thunberg?

5. Why was the Climate Emergency inspired by young people?

6. What do you know about UN programs for children, adolescents and young people?

7. What is the “Friday for Future” movement and how did it come about?

8. What do you know about the student strike on 03-15-2019?

9. Is the success of the Paris Agreement linked to national climate emergencies?

10. What is the “Extinction Rebellion” movement?

Others sections of Climate Emergency

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