Travel NewsMapped

Millions hit the streets to join global climate strike (PHOTOS)

Ainsley Smith
Ainsley Smith
|
Sep 20 2019, 8:20 pm
Millions hit the streets to join global climate strike (PHOTOS)

Millions of people of all ages took to the streets around the world on Friday to demand governments take action to address the climate crisis and put an end to the age of fossil fuels.

The strikes were inspired by an idea from Greta Thunberg, the 16-year-old Swedish student and climate activist who has become a global force in the fight against climate change.

The worldwide walkout, organized by the Fridays for Future campaign, is taking place in more than 150 countries and is scheduled ahead of the opening of the United Nations General Assembly and the Climate Action Summit on September 23.

“The impacts of climate change are being felt everywhere and are having very real consequences on people’s lives,” said the United Nations in a statement.

“Climate change is disrupting national economies, costing us dearly today and even more tomorrow. But there is a growing recognition that affordable, scalable solutions are available now that will enable us all to leapfrog to cleaner, more resilient economies.”

Thunberg is participating in the strikes in New York City on Friday before she heads to Montreal to join the 300,000 people expected to march for the climate on September 27.

According to Thunberg, preliminary numbers show there are at least 3 million people participating in today’s climate strike — and that is before counting North and South America.

From New York and Australia to Greece and New Dehli and everywhere in between, here’s a look at some of the incredible turnouts around the world.

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