Climate protesters around the world are calling for an end to fossil fuels as Earth heats up
From Europe to Africa to southeast Asia, tens of thousands of climate activists around the world launched protests Friday to call for an end to the burning of planet-warming fossil fuels as Earth suffers from dramatic weather extremes.
Greta Thunberg defiant after Swedish court fines her for disobeying police during climate protest
Hours after a Swedish court fined Greta Thunberg for disobeying police during an environmental protest at an oil facility last month, the climate activist once again attempted to block access to the facility and was removed by the police.
Ukraine's Zelenskyy meets Greta Thunberg and others to address the war's effect on ecology
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met Thursday with Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg and prominent European figures who are forming a working group to address ecological damage from the 16-month-old Russian invasion.
At Davos, Thunberg visit spotlights lack of climate action
Prominent climate activists including Greta Thunberg and Vanessa Nakate are condemning corporate VIPs and political leaders in Davos, Switzerland, for prioritizing short-term profits from fossil fuels over people affected by the climate crisis.
Young activists bemoan climate inaction, demand more say
Youth climate activists Vanessa Nakate and Greta Thunberg have chastized global leaders for failing to meet funding pledges to help poor nations adapt to a warming Earth and for delivering too much โblah blah blahโโ as climate change wreaks havoc.
Thunberg chides leaders for 'blah, blah, blah' on climate
Youth climate activists Vanessa Nakate and Greta Thunberg have chastized global leaders for failing to meet funding pledges to fight climate change and for delivering too much โblah blah blahโโ as climate change wreaks havoc around the world.
The Latest: Mayors ask Biden for consult on climate migrants
The mayors of a dozen major U.S. cities, including Los Angeles, New York City and San Diego, are asking President Joe Biden to consult them as the administration studies how to identify and resettle people displaced by drought, rising seas and other effects of climate change.
Scores protest in India against arrest of climate activist
Members of Aam Aadmi Party shout slogans demanding the release of Indian climate activist Disha Ravi, during a protest in Mumbai, India, Monday, Feb. 15, 2021. The 22 years old activist was arrested Saturday for circulating a document on social media that allegedly incited protesting farmers to turn violent last month. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)NEW DELHI โ Scores of people demonstrated in the Indian cities of Bengaluru and Mumbai on Monday after a climate activist was arrested for circulating a document on social media supporting months of massive protests by farmers. โThe call was to wage economic, social, cultural and regional war against India,โ police tweeted on Sunday. The protests attracted international attention earlier this month when pop star Rihanna, Thunberg and Meena Harris tweeted their support.
India clamps down on free speech to fight farmer protests
A vendor reaches out for a copy of The Caravan, Indias leading investigating magazine, in Mumbai, India, Friday, Feb. 5, 2021. At the heart of the allegations is the magazineโs coverage of the ongoing farmersโ protests that have gripped India for more than two months. Critics say it has used the massive demonstrations to escalate a crackdown on free speech, detaining journalists and freezing Twitter accounts. Hundreds of Indian Twitter accounts, including those of news websites, activists and a farmersโ union, were suspended on Monday. But similarly, Twitterโs reaction of suspending accounts has also โset a terrible precedentโ for free speech and press, said Jose.
1 tweet from Rihanna on farmer protests gets India incensed
A person reads tweets by Indian celebrities, one of the many backing the Indian government, on his mobile in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021. It took just one tweet from pop star Rihanna to anger the Indian government and supporters of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's party, after she tweeted about the farmer protests that have gripped India. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)NEW DELHI โ It took just one tweet from Rihanna to anger the Indian government and supporters of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's party. The pop star linked a news article in a tweet drawing attention to the massive farmer protests that have gripped India for more than two months. AdTharoor in a tweet said Indian government getting โIndian celebrities to react to Western ones is embarrassing."
EXPLAINER: How Nobel Peace Prize nominations come about
Belarusian opposition figures, Hong Kong-pro-democracy activists, the Black Lives Matter movement, a jailed Russian opposition leader and two former White House senior advisers are among this years nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize. There is no shortage of causes or candidates for the Norwegian Nobel Committee to consider for what arguably remains the worldโs most prestigious prize. Here's a look at the Nobel nomination process:WHO CAN NOMINATE CANDIDATES FOR THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE? The U.N. World Food Program won the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize. The peace prize and other Nobel awards are presented to the winners on Dec. 10, the anniversary of founder Alfred Nobelโs death.
Death threat against 11-year-old activist outrages Colombia
Francisco Vera, 11, who is well-known in Colombia for his environmental campaigns and defense of children's rights, gives an interview in Villeta, Colombia, Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021. The 11-year old activist who received a death threat over Twitter, says that he will continue to lead campaigns and urged other young people to use social media to support causes they believe in. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)VILLETA โ A social media death threat aimed at an 11-year-old environmental activist has roused outrage in Colombia, a nation where attacks on social leaders are common and threats are taken seriously. Colombian officials said they are investigating the death threat against Francisco Vera and President Ivan Duque recently promised in a television appearance that his government would find โthe banditsโ behind the Twitter message. She said a town official suggested shutting down her sonโs social media account, but she prefers to let him decide whether to stop campaigning.
Climate activist Thunberg to appear on Swedish postal stamp
Swedish teenage environmental activist Greta Thunberg appears on a postal stamp in her native Sweden that is part of a series focusing on the environment, as seen through a magnifying glass, in Stockholm, Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021. One of the stamps features teenage environmental activist Greta Thunberg in her trademark yellow raincoat with her braid blowing in the wind and standing a top a hill. (AP Photo/David Keyton)STOCKHOLM โ Swedish teenage environmental activist Greta Thunberg will appear on a postal stamp that will be issued Thursday in her native Sweden and is part of a series focusing on the environment. Thunberg, who just turned 18, rose to prominence for weekly solo protests outside Swedenโs parliament in Stockholm that she started on Aug. 20, 2018. Appearing on a stamp โmeans that a person is doing something extraordinary,โ said Kristina Olofsdotter, managing director for stamps at the postal company.
Five years on, signs that Paris climate accord is working
Five years after a historic climate deal in Paris, world leaders are again meeting to increase their efforts to fight global warming. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)The forecast for global warming is looking a little less bleak in the long term, but not so rosy in the short term. With numerous countries pledging to clean up their act and projected temperature rises now smaller than they once were, scientists and diplomats say the outlook for mid-to-late century is not as gloomy as it was when the historic 2015 Paris climate accord was signed. On Saturday, exactly five years after the Paris climate agreement was struck, world leaders will gather virtually to both celebrate progress and chart the next steps. More than 100 countries โ and even more companies, states and cities โ have pledged to achieve net zero carbon emissions by the middle of the century.
Colorado student, scientist named Time's 'Kid of the Year'
LONE TREE, Colo. โ A 15-year-old Colorado high school student and young scientist who has used artificial intelligence and created apps to tackle contaminated drinking water, cyberbullying, opioid addiction and other social problems has been named Time Magazine's first-ever โKid of the Year." Rao told The Associated Press in a Zoom interview from her home Friday that the prize is "nothing that I could have ever imagined. Rao has partnered with rural schools; museums; science, technology, engineering and mathematics organizations; and other institutions to run innovation workshops for thousands of other students. Science and technology are being employed as never before to tackle the coronavirus pandemic, global warming and a host of other issues, she noted. โAnybody can do science.โTime was planning a Kid of the Year broadcast special at 7:30 p.m. EST (5:30 p.m. MST) on Nickelodeon.
Bangladeshi wins children's prize for fighting cyberbullying
THE HAGUE โ A 17-year-old Bangladeshi boy won the International Childrenโs Peace Prize on Friday for his work combating cyberbullying in his country, and he vowed to keep fighting online abuse until it is eradicated. The award is accompanied by a fund of 100,000 euros ($118,225), which is invested by the KidsRights Foundation in projects that are closely linked to the winnerโs work. After Yousafzai won the International Childrenโs Peace Prize in 2013, she went on to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize a year later for campaigning for girls to have a universal right to education even after she survived being shot by Taliban militants. Addressing Friday's award ceremony via a video link, Yousafzai praised Rahman's work for contributing to internet safety. โCyberbullying is a violation of that right.โ
Greta Thunberg on 2 very surreal years of protest and fame
This image released by Hulu shows activist Greta Thunberg, center, in a scene from the documentary "I Am Greta." (Hulu via AP)NEW YORK โ In the first days of Greta Thunbergโs solitary sidewalk protest outside Swedish Parliament in August 2018, most walk right past her. I think: Oh, I was so young and naive back then โ which is quite funny,โ says Thunberg, recalling her first days of protest in an interview. โI donโt really like the title of the film, โI Am Greta.โ It makes it seem like I take myself very seriously,โ says Thunberg. Asked how she felt watching news clips of Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin deriding her in the film, Thunberg laughs.
New this week: 'I Am Greta,' Chris Stapleton & CMA Awards
This image released by Hulu shows activist Greta Thunberg, center, in a scene from the documentary "I Am Greta" the story of Thunberg, the teenage Swedish schoolgirl who is leading the global school strike for action on climate change. The film premieres Friday on Hulu. (Hulu via AP)
New this week: 'I Am Greta,' Chris Stapleton & CMA Awards
This image released by Hulu shows activist Greta Thunberg, center, in a scene from the documentary "I Am Greta" the story of Thunberg, the teenage Swedish schoolgirl who is leading the global school strike for action on climate change. (Hulu via AP)Hereโs a collection curated by The Associated Pressโ entertainment journalists of whatโs arriving on TV, streaming services and music platforms this week. MOVIESโ When Greta Thunberg began protesting outside Swedish Parliament two years ago, it only took days for director Nathan Grossman to start trailing her in her mission to prod government leaders on the climate crisis. โI Am Greta,โ which premieres Friday on Hulu, documents the enormous movement fueled by Thunbergโs one-person school strike, and a few very surreal years for the Swedish teenager. โ After releasing two chart-topping albums in 2017, superstar country singer-songwriter Chris Stapleton is back with a new collection of songs coming out Friday.
ABBAโs Bjรถrn Ulvaeus pens support for Day of the Girl Child
FILE - In this Dec. 13, 2017 file photo, Bjorn Ulvaeus poses for photographers in a recreation of the Polar recording studio in London. ABBA's Bjorn Ulvaeus talks exclusively to AP on UNICEF's International Day of the Girl Child about the challenges girls face and promoting girl's empowerment. โIโve been surrounded by women, strong women for a long time,โ Ulvaeus said, speaking about the need to empower female voices ahead of Sundayโs International Day of the Girl Child. With few exceptions their powers rest on cultures, religions and ideologies that suppress women.โUlvaeus said he was inspired to write about the need to support International Day of the Girl Child. In 2011, the United Nations declared Oct. 11 as the International Day of the Girl Child to promote girlsโ rights and address the challenges girls face around the world.
World Food Program wins Nobel Peace Prize for hunger fight
FILE - In this Sept. 9, 2015 file photo, a child carries a parcel from the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) in Mwenezi, Zimbabwe. The WFP has won the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize for its efforts to combat hunger and food insecurity around the globe. The announcement was made Friday Oct. 9, 2020 in Oslo by Berit Reiss-Andersen, the chair of the Nobel Committee. โThe World Food Program works at the intersection of those two problems (and) it's going to face an increasing workload in the coming years." Some, however, noted that the World Food Programโs top donors are also major food exporters and often involved in the sale of arms to conflict zones where the agency works, from Afghanistan to Yemen.
Belarus activist shares โAlternative Nobelโ with 3 others
FILE - In this Saturday, June 21, 2014 file photo, Belarusian human rights advocate Ales Bialiatski is welcomed by his supporters at a railway terminal in Minsk, Belarus. The prominent Belarus opposition figure Ales Bialiatski and leading imprisoned Iranian human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh have been awarded the 2020 Swedish Right Livelihood Award, sometimes referred to as the Alternative Nobel, along with activists from Nicaragua and the United States. (AP Photo/Dmitry Brushko, File)STOCKHOLM โ A prominent Belarus opposition figure and an imprisoned Iranian human rights lawyer on Thursday were awarded the Right Livelihood Award, sometimes referred to as the โAlternative Nobel,โ together with activists from Nicaragua and the United States. Created in 1980, the annual Right Livelihood Award honors efforts that the prize founder, Swedish-German philanthropist Jakob von Uexkull, felt were being ignored by the Nobel prizes. Earlier recipients of the Right Livelihood Award include Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg.
Greta Thunberg and youth climate protests make a return
She joined fellow demonstrators outside the Swedish Parliament on Friday to kick off a day of socially distanced global climate protests. The coronavirus outbreak has prevented the Fridays for Future movement that Thunberg inspired from holding its mass rallies in recent months, lowering its public profile. Thunberg started her solo protests outside Swedenโs parliament in Stockholm on Aug. 20, 2018. During an earlier protest in the Arctic, British climate activist and ornithologist Mya-Rose Craig, stood on a piece of ice broken off from the ice cap. The 18-year-old bird lover and founder of the non-profit Black2Nature said she believes itโs the most northerly climate strike ever.
Greta Thunberg hitches ride on Australian YouTubers' sailing boat
(CNN) - Teenage climate change activist Greta Thunberg has found a ride back across the Atlantic to attend the COP25 environmental summit in Madrid, thanks to a pair of Australian vloggers. "So happy to say that I'll hopefully make it to COP25 in Madrid," Thunberg wrote on Instagram. The Swedish teen will set sail for Europe on Thursday morning from Hampton, Virginia with Carausu, Whitelum and their 11-month-old son, Lenny. Carausu and Whitelum told CNN they had no intention of sailing to Europe but made a last-minute decision to help Thunberg out after seeing her plea on social media. "She looks like a little girl but her personality -- she's really independent, she knows what she wants and she's really sweet and really helpful," Carausu said.
Charlize Theron Tears Up on Stage While Being Honored at 2019 Glamour Women of the Year Awards
Charlize Theron got emotional during an inspiring speech while being honored with a Rebel award at the 2019 Glamour Women of the Year Awards in New York on Monday. The 44-year-old actress delivered heartfelt words about her children, the importance of empathy, the work of young women like Greta Thunberg -- and even Oprah Winfreys gardening got a mention! Im f***ing useless.The actress concluded her inspiring speech by encouraging women to tell their stories, take risks and fight for change. There's nothing rebellious about that.ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty ImagesShahidi, Thunberg, filmmaker Ava DuVernay, author Margaret Atwood, designer Tory Burch were also honored at the event. RELATED CONTENT:Charlize Theron Reflects on Acting Journey, Says She's 'Deeply Overwhelmed' by Latest Accolade (Exclusive)Charlize Theron Gets Emotional After Accepting Hollywood Film Award from Nicole Kidman (Exclusive)
Jane Fonda Opens Up About the Possibility of Spending Her 82nd Birthday in Jail (Exclusive)
Jane Fonda is no stranger to civil disobedience, and now, she's lending her star power to the climate change crisis. The actress has temporarily relocated to Washington D.C. in order to protest every week in the name of raising awareness about the global and widespread effects of climate change. "The scientists tell us we have 11 years to do something that is incredibly difficult, which is to try to slow down climate change. The actress has already been arrested three times during her peaceful demonstrations, and once spent the night in jail. See more on climate change in the video below.
Greta Thunberg getting huge mural in downtown San Francisco
A mural of the Swedish teenage climate activist, whose movement has caught the attention of the world, is set to be completed next Tuesday. Located in downtown San Francisco near Union Square (420 Mason St., for all you locals), the mural features Thunberg from the chest up gazing straight into our souls, lips pursed. The organization wanted to focus on art celebrating climate activists, Scott told CNN. Petreselli is donating his time to the cause and told CNN he feels connected to everything Thunberg is doing. It's not the first mural to the young activistThunberg and her message have inspired murals around the world.
Leonardo DiCaprio praises Greta Thunberg as a 'leader of our time'
Leonardo DiCaprio attends the L.A. premiere of HBO's "Ice On Fire" at LACMA on June 5, 2019, in Los Angeles. (CNN) - Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg has a lot of fans -- and Leonardo DiCaprio is one of them. Like Thunberg, DiCaprio is also an environmental activist. His Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation " supports projects around the world that build climate resiliency, protect vulnerable wildlife and restore balance to threatened ecosystems and communities." "I hope that Greta's message is a wake-up call to world leaders everywhere that the time for inaction is over," DiCaprio said.
Activist Greta Thunberg declines climate award
Swedish teen activist Greta Thunberg speaks at the Fridays For Future Denver Climate Strike on Oct. 11, 2019, at Civic Center Park in Denver. (CNN) - Teen climate change activist Greta Thunberg was awarded the 2019 Nordic Council Environment Prize, but she won't be accepting it. Thunberg said on Instagram on Tuesday that she received the award but declined to accept it because "the climate movement does not need any more awards." The 16-year-old also called on Nordic countries to take more climate action. Thunberg said it was a great honor to be recognized, but she will decline the award until Nordic countries take the action she sees as necessary to change the world.
Here are five simple ways to celebrate Make a Difference Day
Showing a simple act of kindness to a sick or elderly person can make a big difference between a good and a bad day. Anyone can make a difference; all it takes is a step in the right direction. This Make a Difference Day, an annual event taking place on the fourth Saturday of every October, is the perfect time to take that step. Even just informing your friends and those around you about important issues can raise awareness and help make a difference, too. Give someone an uplifting complimentIt may seem meager, but receiving an unexpected compliment can really make a difference in someone's day, especially if it's genuine.
New species of beetle named in honor of Greta Thunberg
Swedish teen activist Greta Thunberg speaks at the Fridays For Future Denver Climate Strike on Oct. 11, 2019, at Civic Center Park in Denver. (CNN) - Climate activist Greta Thunberg is being honored in a very small way. "I'm really a great fan of Greta," Michael Darby, a scientific associate at the museum who named the new beetle, said in the statement. "I suspect that this could very well be the first time a species has been named after Greta. I don't know of any other beetle named after her, that's for sure," Darby said.
Jane Fonda handcuffed at climate event
WASHINGTON (CNN) - Capitol Police arrested Jane Fonda Friday as she led her weekly climate protest inspired by young Swedish activist Greta Thunberg. Police took Fonda into custody as she led a demonstration in front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington. Fonda recently moved to Washington and plans to lead protests every Friday for the rest of the year. She said she was inspired to do so by 16-year-old Swedish environmental activist Thunberg. The daughter of Henry Fonda and ex-wife of Ted Turner, Fonda is arguably as well-known for her activism as her acting career and 1980s fitness empire.
Ethiopia's Abiy Ahmed has won this year's peace prize
(CNN) - Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia has won this year's Nobel Peace Prize for his role in ending the 20-year war between Ethiopia and Eritrea. The Ethiopian Prime Minister's office tweeted out a statement after Abiy Ahmed saying it was "pleased to express our pride" in the selection, adding that Abiy "has made peace, forgiveness and reconciliation key policy components of his administration." A modern day African leaderAbiy became Ethiopia's Prime Minister in April 2018, the first Oromo to lead his country. That victory secured his place as Prime Minister of an East African powerhouse which has a population of more than 100 million people. "Prime Minister Abiy has done a wonderful job in bringing peace with and within the neighboring countries," Mohammed, the executive director of the Oromia Media Network, told CNN.
Major airline group promises carbon-neutral flying by 2050
A major airlines group that includes British Airways, Aer Lingus and Iberia has promised it will remove or offset all carbon emissions from its fleet of over 570 aircraft by 2050. According to industry group IATA, air transport accounts for 2% of global man-made CO2 emissions. In addition to CO2, aircraft emit nitrogen oxides, which contribute to global warming. Dutch airline KLM has even encouraged customers to take trains or do video calls instead of flying, when possible. It will also partner with an American company called Mosaic Materials, which has created an absorbent material to remove CO2 directly from the atmosphere.
Meet Friday's Nobel Peace Prize favorites
Greta Thunberg, Swedish environmental activist, is among this year's nominees for the Nobel Peace Prize. OSLO, Norway - Greta Thunberg, the 16-year-old climate activist, is widely considered by bookmakers to be the favorite to win the 100th Nobel Peace Prize. There are 301 candidates in the running for this year's award -- 223 individuals and 78 organizations -- according to the Nobel Peace Prize website. Another British bookmaker, William Hill, which put Thunberg at odds of 8/13, said Wednesday that 96% of Nobel Peace Prize bets had been placed on Thunberg. Last year's Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to former ISIS sex slave Nadia Murad and Congolese doctor Denis Mukwege "for their efforts to end the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war and armed conflict."
Greta Thunberg wins 'alternative Nobel' for environmental work
The international award, widely known as the "alternative Nobel Prize," was established in 1980 to "honor and support courageous people solving global problems." The awards were announced at the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Stockholm, Sweden, on Wednesday. "I'm deeply grateful for being one of the recipients of this great honor," Thunberg said in a statement. "But of course, whenever I receive an award, it is not me who is the winner. Aminatou Haidar (Western Sahara), Guo Jianmei (China) and Davi Kopenawa / Hutukara Yanomami Association (Brazil) are the other recipients of the award.
Here's where Greta Thunberg is headed next
NEW YORK - Before Greta Thunberg captured the world's attention with her rousing speech on the climate crisis, the 16-year-old activist already had a packed schedule. This week, the Swedish teen delivered a commanding address at the United Nations Climate Action Summit. Last week, she organized a global climate strike across 139 countries. Here's where the Swedish climate activist is going next, said the organizers of the global climate strike. She'll tour Canada and Mexico after global climate strike demonstrations end on Friday.
Why Did Trump Pick a Fight With This Teen Activist?
President Trump is taking on teenage climate fighter Greta Thunberg after their frosty encounter at the United Nations Monday. Though she has not mentioned Trump by name, the president has suggested the climate change does not exist or is not an immediate threat. When the two crossed paths at the U.N., she gave the president an icy glare, a face that quickly went viral. She adopted Trumps words as the new motto for her Twitter page, writing in her bio that she is a very happy young girl, looking forward to a bright and wonderful future.RELATED STORIESWho Stole $350K Worth of Jewels From Trump Tower? High School Cheerleaders on Probation for Posing With Trump BannerMelania Trump's Coat on 9/11 Looked Like Plane Flying Into Tower, Critics Say
How newsrooms across the country are covering the climate crisis
Editors and reporters across local, national and global newsrooms in radio, online and TV say they have been investing in more climate crisis coverage. WNYC is one of more than 300 media outlets that have agreed to use the lead-up to the UN Climate Action Summit on Monday to elevate stories about the climate crisis. The Toronto Star's participation included a two-part series on differing climate crisis policies in Canada's federal election campaign. DCist published a story about D.C. educators who are bringing the climate crisis topic to the classroom. Vanity Fair on Monday published an interview with former New York Times science reporter Tatiana Schlossberg about her new book on the climate crisis.
Hundreds of Amazon workers walk out to protest climate change inaction
Hundreds of Amazon employees walked out in protest on Friday over the company's inaction on climate change. SEATTLE (CNN) - Hundreds of Amazon employees walked out in protest on Friday over the company's inaction on climate change. The protest, which was organized by an internal group called Amazon Employees for Climate Justice, was captured in video clips posted to social media. It coincided with a greater global movement to fight climate change, The Global Climate Strike, the week-long global event that will bring together young people, labor and humanitarian organizations, environmental groups and company employee collectives. In May, over 7,600 employees signed a letter asking Amazon how it planned to respond to climate change.
From Jacksonville to Kabul, young people demand climate change action
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - From Kabul to Cape Town to Berlin to Jacksonville, hundreds of thousands of young people took to the streets Friday to demand that leaders tackle climate changeAbout 100 mostly young protesters gathered at Hemming Plaza on Wednesday demanding action on the issue. They won't be here when we feel the effects of climate change and we, the youth, (need) to be engaged." We as the youth of our country know the problem of climate change. Climate change "is worse than homework,'' one sign proclaimed. Africa is the most vulnerable continent to climate change and the least-equipped to deal with it, experts have said.
Climate strikes sweep the globe as protesters demand urgent action
The Global Climate Strike is the third in a worldwide series of climate rallies organized by school students, and led by 16-year-old Greta Thunberg. Thunberg tweeted: "Incredible pictures as Australia's gathering for the #climatestrike ... Australia is setting the standard!" "As young people, it is our time to rise up and add our voices together in demand for urgent climate action. Outdoor clothing brand Patagonia has said it plans to shut down its operations on Friday to allow employees to join the Global Climate Strike. ET, where a roster of young climate activists will speak, including Thunberg, who sailed to New York to attend the UN Climate Action Summit.
Greta Thunberg: The teenage old soul of the climate crisis
Greta Thunberg, then 15, holds a placard reading "School strike for the climate" during a protest against climate change outside the Swedish parliament last November. "Tomorrow, all life on earth will end in fire," he tells her, and "I don't think they can take it." "The symbolism of the climate strike is that if you adults don't give a damn about my future, I won't either," she explained. Actually reading the dense reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) puts her in the minority. "It's not because (climate change) is especially interesting," she said, rolling her eyes.
Global climate strikes start Friday
Young people are asking others all over the world to join them in global climate strikes starting Friday. But Friday's global climate strikes are meant to include everyone. You can check the Global Climate Strikes website to see if there's an event near you. "September's climate strikes will kickstart a huge wave of action and renewed ambition all over the world," organizers say. Friday's strikes will take place ahead of the United Nations' Climate Action Summit on Monday.
NYC says students can skip class for climate strike
Spencer Platt/Getty ImagesNEW YORK - New York City's 1.1 million school students will be excused from class to participate in the global climate strike protests that are scheduled for this Friday. This means middle and high school students will need to get permission, while elementary school students will still need to be signed out by a parent. New York Mayor Bill de Blasio said he supports the move, writing in a tweet, "New York City stands with our young people. ET, where a roster of young climate activists will speak. Sixteen-year-old Greta Thunberg, who sailed to New York to speak at the UN Climate Action Summit on September 23, is one of the speakers.