Take a Stand for Climate Change

By Curtis Crookshanks

Photo Creds: School Strike 4 Climate Website

Climate change is currently one of the biggest topics on everyone’s lips. With only a few years to change our ways before the planet can’t go back, it’s understandable why younger people feel the need to take a stand now more than ever.

Students all around the UK, Ireland and more have started taking part in the “School strikes for Climate Change”, inspired by Greta Thunberg. Thunberg is only 16 but has already taken so many actions to help ensure that we still have a future on this planet in the coming years from many interviews, protests and even speaking at the UN Climate Change Conference. That being said, one person cannot change the climate alone. It will take everyone’s cooperation in order to change the damage that we have done to the planet and that’s why these events have become so popular.

The events that take place are peaceful groups that get together in order to share the word of climate change. The strikes take place every Friday around different countries in the world, Belfast has two this year with other European countries having more. The strikes usually take place at the “Spirit of Belfast” monument, located just outside of Victoria Square where many other people go to find their voice.

I interviewed one of many involved in the movement named Clare McCollum about several things. When asked how useful she thought protests like these are she responded with, “I think protests allow people to come together to take action and issues that can’t be ignored as easily. This one particular is useful as world leaders can no longer brush the issue of climate change under the carpet as there is no way they can ignore 1.6 million students refusing to go into school in 150 countries worldwide (estimated figures from the global strike on the 29th of March).

“The way which the school strike has been useful is how drastic it is and the amount of young people taking part, which will inevitably increase as word spreads on social media. There is added poignancy to this protest in particular as it had been lead by a 15 year old and followed up and supported by students of the same age. These young people have highlighted to world leaders that the reason for this is that they and their children will be the ones most affected by climate change.”

Obviously public speaking isn’t everyone’s thing, so I asked McCollum what would she say to those that are too afraid to take part and want to get involved in helping a change. “I would say think of the reasons why you want to join and put that before anything else. You won’t be in any sort of trouble from the police, there are rules in place to ensure that the strikers who meet up to protest are doing so peacefully and in a non-disruptive way. Also spread the word as much as possible so your classmates, uni friends and friends in other schools join in so you don’t feel isolated and feel more supported.”

If joining in on the public protests still doesn’t sound appealing, there are other ways you can help as said by McCollum. “People can share posts from Greta Thunberg and ST4C (School Strike 4 Change) on social media and share their own thoughts to increase awareness. They could talk about it with people and pass on the message. This will undoubtedly inspire others to get involved.”

“Teachers and parents also have their bit to do, they need to support their children and allow them to take part in something they feel so passionate about and that will affect their futures. This goes for the government too, who have reacted by prioritising children returning to school and soon they will start think differently.”

Climate change is a serious issue and if you are still not convinced of the effects that it will have on the world, I would urge you to take the time and have a look for yourself. There are many resources online and various other news stories about it that go further into detail on why it is such a pressing matter. Think about your future and how you’d like to live it.

If you want to take part to help secure your future, check out the social media links for the movement below;

Instagram: @schoolstrikeforclimate

Website: www.schoolstrike4climate.com