Balzano, Northern Italy, February 2019
On March 15th, 2019 around the world, young students from grade school through college will walk out of class to demand action on our climate crisis. There is a saying that begins, “out of the mouths of babes…” implying our children tell it like it is, with no pretext – just the truth. At ClimateMama we have been working with children and their parents on actions to address the climate crisis for 10 years. Over this past year we feel there has been a transformative shift in public recognition of the urgency of our climate crisis, being led – in large part – by our children. One important “spark” has been the “Fridays for the Future” strikes started in August 2018 by Greta Thunberg, a young Swedish student. Greta has ignited a youth movement which has swept across Europe and is now spreading across the world. Children too young to vote are demanding real and sustained action on our climate crisis, NOW.
We are thrilled to share with you a post by a high school student from New Jersey, Alani Rose, who is organizing school strikes across New Jersey. Be prepared to be inspired! And also, consider attending one of the school strikes near you, in New Jersey or wherever you are across the country or the world. As parents and elders deeply concerned about the climate crisis, it is our responsibility to support our children, however and wherever needed. We all will be living climate change for the rest of our lives and we all need to be doing what we can to create solutions.
YOUTH DEMAND CLIMATE ACTION
by Alani Rose
We, the youth, have had enough. It is time for our world leaders to take action by preventing a serious environmental catastrophe that scientists have proven to arise within the next 11 years. That is why students around the globe will be striking school on Friday, March 15, to join forces and take action against climate change.
The US Youth Climate Strike is a completely youth-led organization working to help organize school strikes across the nation.
Our mission statement:
We, the youth of America, are striking because decades of inaction has left us with just 11 years to change the trajectory of the worst effects of climate change, according to the Oct 2018 UN IPCC Report.
We are striking because our world leaders have yet to acknowledge, prioritize, or properly address our climate crisis.
We are striking because marginalized communities across our nation —especially communities of color, disabled communities, and low- income communities— are already disproportionately impacted by climate change.
We are striking because if the social order is disrupted by our refusal to attend school, then the system is forced to face the climate crisis and enact change. With our futures at stake, we call for radical legislative action to combat climate change and its countless detrimental effects on the American people.
We are striking for the Green New Deal, for a fair and just transition to a 100% renewable economy, and for ending the creation of additional fossil fuel infrastructure.
Additionally, we believe the climate crisis should be declared a national emergency because we are running out of time.
I, being a senior in high school am striking because I believe the most important thing for our nation to prioritize is climate change. So many people I encounter in my daily life seem to not understand the drastic effects and consequences that global warming has and will cause. By a majority of humans turning a blind eye to these serious changes, the future of our youth is in jeopardy. It is time for us to stand up, just as Greta Thunberg (a 16-year-old Swedish activist who started striking school to stand outside the Swedish parliament to bring action to the massive climate issue) is; and put this environmental crisis before our systematic education. Tens of thousands of students now stand beside her from all across the globe. And you will see and hear us on March 15.
Spread the word to YOUTH in your communities to join the movement, and attend one of the NJ Climate Strike rallies in Trenton, Morristown, Newark, Princeton, or Edison. We encourage our non-youth supporters to join us on March 15 as well! The rallies will take place in these towns for students and supporters to gather, take action in our local governments, hear speakers, and rally for change on how we are to address this crisis as a nation.
More information can be found at https://www.youthclimatestrikeus.org/strikes.
Instagram: @climatestrikenj
Twitter: @njclimatestrike.
As we are a youth-led organization, monetary support is highly appreciated. Click Here to donate.
We are currently in search of youth and professional speakers for all our NJ rallies. if interested, please fill out this form Here.
Morristown Youth Climate Strike: 12pm on the Lawn of Morristown Town Hall. See the facebook event page Here.
Any questions, advice, or for more information on the MORRISTOWN strike, you can contact me at alani.rose7 (at) gmail.com.
I will be striking March 15, will you?
Alani Rose is a NJ High School Senior
