Organized by 16 year old Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, the "Global Strike 4 Climate Change" took place on Friday 20th, with millions of people around the world taking to the streets to protest for stronger climate change action by their Governments.
In Australia more than 200 thousand people made their voices heard across 110 towns and cities, demanding a target of net zero carbon emissions and a transition to 100% renewable energy by 2030.
I thought this sign I spotted on the bumper of a car in Sydney sometime last year was just the right sign for today - "The climate is right for a change".
You can also read an article on Tom's blog - "Time for John Pavlovitz" about Great and her climate action movement.
I certainly do my bit for recycling, I avoid plastics, recycle paper, metals, glass, give what I no longer need to my "Buy Nothing group" or if no one wants to then donate to one of the Charity stores, and I'm the only one who has undertaken to take the printer cartridges used at work to be recycled at Office Works, all my colleagues would just throw them in the bin!
I also bring the coffee pods that we use at work, open them, use the coffee in the garden and put the tin bit in the recycling, but I don't think I would participate in a protest, just not my thing, I worry too much about protests getting violent...
And just like Iris mentions on her comments on Tom's blog (Time for John Pavlovitz), I too don't agree on kids not attending school on Friday - for Fridays for Future, also started by Greta Thunberg, for school children to join the regular climate change protests. Why not do them on Saturday or Sunday?
When I lived in Germany 30 years ago, it was already a very progressive country when it came to recycling with various bins for paper, tin or glass. Nowadays in Australia there is still a lack of recycling plants and due to that a lot of recycling material goes to landfill since China and other under-developed countries are no longer wanting to accept our rubbish.
I do think the Governments need to be reminded we are not happy with this, maybe protests are the way to do it, who knows?
Would you join climate change protests?
Or do you think there are better ways to go about it, maybe voting for a party who is more geared towards doing something for the environment would be the way?
For other signs please go over to Tom's blog.
Oh, you read my comment and are not mad at me, I am relieved.
ReplyDeleteI really wasn´t sure if I should be that honest.
Yes, I would join a protest, though, it must be heard - and solutions must be next!
Voting, hmmm. We have "Die Grünen" - "The Greens", they take a flight all the time, some liars. Why take a flight from Bonn to Berlin when you can have a conference via video-chat? Beats me.
In this the Greta-family sure makes a point. It must be us, not the politicians, we have to stand up, they do not.
They give us back only stupidity, like making people who have to take the car/motorbike to get to work pay more.
No easy solutions anywhere I think. I would have believed the Greens party would be more conscious, sadly it appears your Green party is not.
DeleteUnfortunately most politicians will promise lots and then do nothing once they are in power, and some even go back on environmental policies, so it's a sad state of affairs.
Some "Greens" even drive old cars - or fat limos, nothing pro-environment...
DeleteUuups... and then "I" chose "Rent a Truck" as a sign - isn´t that irony?!!!
ReplyDeleteThough certainly we will always need trucks. Or beaming.
I think trucks will always be needed. Maybe in the future we will all be able to afford a battery powered car.
DeleteSolar energy, yes, that would be great!
DeleteFake news :))))
ReplyDeleteNot so sure of that Pedro, I believe governments need to support reforms for a better environment.
DeleteI'm being Trump :)))))
DeleteAh ok :) :)
DeleteUma nova consciência está surgindo, aproveito para desejar a continuação de uma boa semana.
ReplyDeleteAndarilhar
Dedais de Francisco e Idalisa
O prazer dos livros
Obrigada Francisco, boa semana para si tambem.
DeleteHello, me and my hubby would join a protest. We only have one earth and we need to stand up like Greta did. I think the people who are bullying her, are horrible people. The young people should be worried about the earth and world they will inherit. I like the bumper sticker! Wishing you a happy day!
ReplyDeleteThank you Eileen. She certainly doesn't deserve to be bullied for doing what she believes in and trying to save our planet for future generations.
DeleteHave a lovely day too.
Hooray for Greta. My wife and I will definitely join the protest being held here in Waterloo on Friday. Much has been achieved throughout history by public protest; think only of the civil rights marches of the sixties. As for the kids missing school on Fridays, if public conscience is aroused by so doing, the results justify the means. There will be time to catch up if need be, but if the earth is ruined in the process there will be no catching up to do. Our generation should hang its head in shame over our total (and continuing) disregard for the planet, which these young people will inherit and try to remediate.
ReplyDeleteThanks David, I suppose your point of view about raising public conscience is quite valid. I'm just not the protesting type but prefer to vote for a Political party that wants to do the right thing for the planet.
DeleteI've recently heard that glass in recycling bins if broken contaminates the recycling waste. Other countries, Germany, Japan and England separate glass from other waste. Why don't we? Good post Sami.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know that Andrew, but I also find strange that all our recycling goes into one single bin. In Germany and in Portugal too there are separate bins for paper, tin and glass. Not household bins, but a few big containers in each suburb.
DeleteWe have a Green party but I wouldn't waste a vote on them. They are useless, typical politicians. We do our bit for recycling but then I see it being shipped off to China and the Philippines who no longer want our garbage. Who can blame them. I try not to buy plastic, grocery bags cost 5 cents. But then what do we use for our garbage in a condo when the garbage goes down a chute for 45 floors?
ReplyDeleteAt least in our building we have recycling bins on every floor including a green bin for food waste.
And the useless packaging drives me crazy on many goods.
Would I join a protest? My husband says I would. But I don't like being caught up in a crowd.
As for Greta, so proud of her. Many kids bunk off on Fridays so they may as well be doing something good!
Thanks Jackie. We bury our greens in the garden, but a lot of our councils are now introducing "green bins" instead of having a twice yearly "green verge collection" when people cut their branches, etc.
DeletePlastic bags for shopping were abolished recently, so we use cloth ones that we take from home. I can imagine you couldn't send the rubbish down a chute without it being in a bag.
The Green party in Australia doesn't seem to be that popular either.
I've never participated in a protest and I'm not planning to do so in the future. I prefer to do my bit and vote conscienciously.
ReplyDeleteI do the same as you Catarina.
Delete...this bumper sticker is a classic example of less is more! I need to see is I can buy one. Thanks Sami for kinking off this week sign linkup. I appreciate your support.
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting Tom, I thought it was a great sign too.
DeleteDavid is right, Hurray for Greta. We only have one small world, so let us not screw it up. The climate crisis is real, and we need drastic action now.
ReplyDeleteThanks Taken for Granted.
DeleteI would do both Sami, protest and use my vote also. I can't believe Scott Morrison wasn't at the Climate summit in New York.. that's a black mark for him as far as I'm concerned 😊
ReplyDeleteYes not good he didn't participate Grace.
DeleteI would consider joining the protest. Over time they've worked (slow but sure) and are a certain reminder to the political parties that this is a trigger issue for many and how that could make an impact on the legislator's future. We all have to do what we can and should all probably do better and certainly adding this to key election issues is important -- but it won't be the only issue out there so getting the word, the action any way possible can only help. As for kids, if I'd had a child of that age, I would have taken them out of school to go. Civil protest is important to learn about first hand. Especially with a more self-absorbed younger generation. Kudos to Greta.
ReplyDeleteYou're probably right Jeanie, maybe the younger generation really needs to get out there and protest, and maybe more adults too so Governments sit up and listen and take action. I just see so many protests on TV everyday all over the world and some of them turn to violence that I would fear to participate.
DeleteThere is no planet B. People need to wake up and smell reality.
ReplyDeleteQuite right William.
DeleteI was ashamed to see many right winger attack her, even comparing her to evils of World War II and the Cold War.
ReplyDeleteThat's very sad, some people just don't believe in climate change, but some people in power unfortunately give out that message :(
DeleteI recycle everything that I can but I don't think I would join the protest either.
ReplyDeleteThanks Pat.
DeleteGood sticker.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jim.
DeleteI saw Greta on tv when she was in NY last week. She is very brave and speaks quite well.
ReplyDeleteI've been preaching environmentalism for years. I've marched for Science (last year on my birthday) and I've talked till I'm blue in the face. The whole world (except for our inept leader) is finally waking up to what I've been preaching for YEARS. What's worse is, I can't understand how people can argue with science.
You may know this, I was born on Earth Day, and I make a habit of talking about recycling, etc. from April 1 to April 22, or what I call bEARTHday. During that time, I recycle something every day. However, it is NEVER enough. We are a nation that doesn't even require mandatory recycling. We can throw our trash, things that could be recycled, and our garbage in with our leaf rakings, etc. Some days I ask myself why I claim I'm proud to be an American.
Off my soapbox now! You found a fabulous sign.
Unfortunately Trump and many others don't believe in climate change, and many follow the leader :(
DeleteWell done for doing your bit Elizabeth, I too do my best. In this day and age recycling should be mandatory!
It's for real.
ReplyDeleteIt sure is Revrunner.
DeleteDearest Sami,
ReplyDeleteYep a lot of 'older' people want to look COOL in the eyes of the younger and more liberal generation. NOT knowing what they are really talking about.
Like you brought up, our waste management has to be changed, in The Netherlands we have to divide in some 5 different compartments for separating waste and also in Germany. Here in the USA we have had some dividing of white/green/brown glass, newspaper and magazines recycling and carton. But most of it is now abandoned due to high(er) cost! That is a SHAME.
Are we serious about limiting waste or not?!
But Margaret Thatcher nailed it so well and she had not yet heard from those strikes: MARGARET THATCHER: ‘GLOBAL WARMING PROVIDES A MARVELOUS EXCUSE FOR GLOBAL SOCIALISM’
The Iron Lady was smart and ahead of her time!
Sure if we all watch what we do and live conscious, that will make a big difference but as long as China and other countries don't do their part, what is the gain?! Yeah, blame Trump, that is also a hollow scream for NOT knowing WHAT to say that would make sense.
Stop all those idiotic fireworks that are nowadays 'the norm' all over the world! What is the benefit of them, other than polluting?
Those STRIKE people have to walk barefoot because shoes made of synthetic materials are the worst polluters and they also have to refrain from riding in a car or bus or whatever!
This Aussie nailed it best: https://onsolution.com.au/blog/to-all-the-school-kids-going-on-strike-for-climate-change-have-you-actually-thought-about-what-you-are-saying/
Hugs and happy Sunday!
Mariette
I've just read the article you mentioned, very good indeed.
DeleteSo much that can be done by all of us and as you say by good waste management policies from our Governments.
Thanks Mariette.
💛
DeleteThe Dutch farmers took ACTION! They FEED the world and those liberals forget that. https://www.bbc.com/news/amp/world-europe-49891449?__twitter_impression=true
ReplyDelete