The Global Climate Strike, and What To Do If We Can’t Attend

The Global Climate Strike is happening this week! Millions of people have joined the strike, are you taking part in it? Regrettably, I’m not attending a climate strike. I’m currently stuck in a mental loop and self-limiting my movement – if that makes sense. So, I’m not participating… this time around.

I know I won’t be the only one who’s passionate about the climate crisis but can’t attend the climate strike. There are a bunch of reasons why some of us can’t – work schedules, family commitment, mental health issues, or mobility issues, etc.

Trust me, we don’t feel good about it.

Since feeling bad isn’t going to do anything, I decided to approach this event from a more useful and positive mindset instead.

There’s always something else we can do, even if we can’t attend the climate strike.

On the other hand, if you can go, please go! There IS power in numbers.

It’s been studied that when 3.5% of the population participates actively in a non-violent protest, it can bring about serious political change.

What is the Global Climate Strike about?

The global climate strike is centered around demanding climate action, putting an end to fossil fuel use and climate justice.

The fossil fuel situation

Despite the mountains of scientific evidence we have about the climate crisis, the global consumption of fossil fuels has been increasing globally.

Carbon emission from the burning of fossil fuels is the biggest contributor to climate change, accounting for one-third of greenhouse gases emitted worldwide.

These greenhouse gases, when released into our atmosphere, traps heat and causes global warming.

To be able to slow down the effects of the climate crisis, we have to stop burning fossil fuels. We need to move towards renewable and clean energy while doing everything else we can to reduce our carbon emissions.

However, since 80% of the world’s energy is supplied by fossil fuels, the industry has become very rich and powerful, at the expense of the environment – with little consequences for them.

With energy demand rising and fossil fuels still available underground, fossil fuel companies wouldn’t want change even though they’re fuelling the climate crisis.

What’s more, they have the world’s biggest banks investing trillions in them and many politicians on their side. They know where the money’s at.

As a result, it’s difficult to stop the fossil fuel industry from the top down.

Climate Justice

To advance our economy, we build, produce and consume things, releasing large amounts of carbon in the process. We become developed nations, our people became wealthier, but the world climate suffers.

As the climate crisis deepens, its effect is felt most by developing and underdeveloped nations – nations that didn’t contribute as much to global warming.

They get the consequences of our actions, but not our share of the wealth. It’s unfair, isn’t it?

Hurricane Dorian is an example of climate injustice. It was the strongest hurricane to hit the Bahamas – its strength was a result of climate change. People died, the Bahamas suffered widespread devastation.

The Bahamas has a small carbon footprint but it’s taking the brunt of the climate crisis. Bahamians are already experiencing hotter summers, and the next hurricanes will bring more destruction. The lives of the Bahamians will get harder and harder.

Also, the poorest would get the first and worst hits.

When increasingly severe weather events happen, the rich have the option to relocate or rebuild destroyed homes. When water and food become scarce and prices increase, they’re the ones with the buying power.

People on the other end of the socioeconomic class don’t have that luxury.

The poor are often stuck where they are because relocation is expensive. Having their homes destroyed could leave them homeless and unable to afford basic necessities like food and water.

This is climate injustice.

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As you can see, these are both very important aspects of the climate crisis. Hopefully, through the global climate strike, we can bring about the climate actions we so badly need.

If you’re interested in attending a strike, visit the site to search for a location near you. There are strikes at various locations held on different days over the week.

What if I can’t attend the climate strike?

Whether you attend the strike or not, there are always other things to do. And they’re equally important.

• Vote for politicians who want to put a stop to fossil fuel use in favor of renewable energy and don’t take donations from fossil fuel companies
• Start conversations about the climate crisis
• Share information about the climate crisis and the climate strike
• Reduce your carbon footprint. Even simple actions like switching off the lights and changing the temperature of your A/C help, or taking public transportation
• Choose renewable energy if the option is available where you are
• Avoid single-use-plastic
• Divest in banks that invest in fossil fuel
• Support causes that take care of the environment, especially the forests and the ocean
• Plant trees

Don’t feel too bad if you can’t attend the global climate strike, I’ll try not to feel bad too. As long as we’re doing what we can for the environment, we’re all part of the climate action.

However, if you can go, please do!

None of us know for sure if it’s too late for humanity or not, but it’s better to try our best than to do nothing. If we do nothing, it will be too late.

After all, when our house is on fire, we don’t just sit and watch. We yell, and we try to put it out.

Did you attend, or are you attending the climate strike? What’s your opinion about the strike? Let me know in the comments!