DC Rocks the Global Climate Strike
2019 Global Climate Strike in DC
The largest mass mobilization for climate action in human history.
Sophie Stowe, a fall 2019 Green Compass intern from American University, held her sign before beginning her march towards the Capitol, asking government officials “if the climate is changing, why won’t you?”
On September 20th, an estimated 4 million protestors from around the world took to the streets in a Global Climate Strike. Six thousand events, taking place in 185 countries across each continent were organized by Fridays For Future, a movement started by youth climate activist Greta Thunberg. In 2018, Thunberg started skipping school every Friday to protest outside her local government’s offices in Stockholm, Sweden. One year later, her movement has become the largest mass mobilization for climate action in human history.
Last Friday, thousands in the Washington, DC area gathered in John Marshall Park to march to the Capitol building to demand world leaders take meaningful steps to address the climate crisis with the urgency it requires. After the half-mile march full of chants for environmental justice and demands for change in our current government, indigenous speakers and activists addressed the crowd in front of the Capitol Building. Sixteen-year-old Tokata Iron Eyes of Standing Rock Nation gave a speech that highlighted indigenous connectivity with the earth and suggested spreading that connectivity widely.
Activists called for concrete government action in response to climate change, including the Green New Deal, plastic and fossil fuel reduction, and meat industry regulation, and marched with signs ranging from comical to a plea for life. Some of comical signs read “The Earth Is Hotter Than Danny Devito” and “Will You Care When Mar-a-Lago Floods?” while more serious messages included “The Oceans Are Rising / So Are We” and “I’m With Her” written next to a drawing of the earth.
Some organizations took an approach that highlighted their values, such as “Change Your Diet / Change The Climate” in reference to the sustainability of veganism and vegetarianism. The Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN) held up a sign that read “Fossil Fuels Are So Last Century" referencing the growing demand for sustainable energy.
Green Compass, represented by four interns from American University, proudly attended the march bearing signs and showing solidarity with Fridays for Future, from right to left: Sophie Stowe, Greta Mauch, Kendall Nohmer, Emma Black.
The fight against climate change is a race we can win. If you want to have an impact on the solution to climate change, activism and personal life changes are effective ways to do so.
Here are 5 ways you can help:
Participate in Climate Strikes organized by Fridays For Future.
Vote for candidates who support climate action and a Green New Deal.
Send a message to the President and your Representatives to support clean energy alternatives to fossil fuels and climate action.
Reduce your Carbon Footprint.
Contact Green Compass for commercial clean energy and efficiency solutions.
Activists at the Capitol during a Fridays for Future rally against climate change in Washington, DC.
The Global Climate Strike has been largely led by youth fighting for their future.
The 2019 Global Climate Strike drew crowds in Washington, DC, as young people answered the call from activist Greta Thunberg to demand action on climate change.