These kids I like, who climate strike!

The glaciers are disappearing!

#ClimateStrike #Zürich Was that a nod from heaven that it rained … and rained in Zürich yesterday? It didn’t discourage 12,000 people – mainly school kids and young people, joining hundreds of thousands worldwide – to take to the streets. They protested against the thoughtless pollution which is disrupting the world’s climate and provoking extreme weather conditions. It’s especially the developing nations that suffer, although they aren’t even the ones who are primarily responsible.

Install new system

So I sympathise when young people say politicians have failed them and the whole socio-economic system is broken. They are right to demand a new way of life, which generates far less CO2, wastes far less natural resources, and enforces sustainable policies for energy, transport, heating, air conditioning, etc.

Rallying cries

“Autofreie Zürich!” was one of the slogans. That would be revolutionary – but would make sense! There’s hardly a city in the world with a better public transport system, mainly electric, so why all the cars?

Witty chants (“Wir sind hier und wir sind laut, weil man uns die Zukunft klaut!”) reflect young people’s concern that today’s older generation, which holds the power and money, is robbing them of their future by failing to implement policies to save the earth. Catchy songs, e.g. “There’s no Planet B, so raise your voice with me. The ocean’s rising and so are we”, livened the otherwise rather miserable atmospheric conditions.

The mood was peaceful and relaxed. It particularly impressed me that most of the posters were hand-drawn on bits of cardboard – children’s work. Although the initiators were obviously not professionals, they organised the whole event well and kept it orderly.

The procession totally disrupted traffic in the centre of Zürich for a couple of hours, halting trams and buses as well as cars. But on the whole people were understanding and respectful and the police remained discreet.

Well done, young folk! Climate change affects us all.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Social Media Auto Publish Powered By : XYZScripts.com