On Friday, Sept. 20, millions from all over the world protested the global Climate Crisis. An estimated 250,000 people showed up to the protest in Lower Manhattan alone.
The Climate Crisis is referred to as the heating up of the Earth’s atmosphere due to the increase of greenhouse gases. The United Nations predicts that Earth is in grave danger of warming up 2 degrees Celsius in the upcoming years. Climate activists, like Greta Thunberg, a 16-year-old Swedish teenager, are protesting to stir action in those adults who make empty promises about fixing climate change. At the UN Climate Action Summit, Greta Thunberg delivered a speech holding the United Nations responsible.
“For more than 30 years, the science has been crystal clear. How dare you continue to look away?” Thunberg said.
This single speech sparked action in young adults and children everywhere, causing school walkouts in more than 100 countries.
The Climate Crisis protest stood out as a particularly interesting one mostly because of the protestors. This protest was led primarily by young adults and schoolchildren, making the world’s largest climate protest a remarkable one at that. In fact, CU Boulder hosted its own climate crisis protest.
On Norlin Quad, in front of the library, hundreds of CU Boulder students and schoolchildren protested climate change and demanded four changes from the school’s regents. They asked that CU declare a climate emergency and that they work in close collaboration with CU students as they make system-wide sustainability changes. They also asked that the University of Colorado Foundation clearly outline where they invest their endowments, as well as become 100 percent carbon neutral by 2050, meaning use 100 percent renewable energy.
The Climate Crisis Protest may be over, and now the regents, the United Nations and the older generations must respond. The younger generation has stood up and made themselves known. With millions of people holding the world accountable for its demise, it’s time to take a stand. Shoutout to Daily Camera for inspiration on this article.
As always,
Louisa