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(25 September 2020) – Today marks the first global day of climate action by youth climate activists in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The actions today will be virtual and in person as circumstances allow.

The global youth school strike movement, Fridays For Future, say, “we live in the midst of a pandemic, but climate change is just as much of a crisis as it was before. As society is starting to open up in many places in the world, global emissions and resource use is rapidly increasing, and we are running out of time. That’s why we have called for a global day of action.
 
“It is vital that the climate crisis doesn’t get forgotten in the shadow of the coronavirus but is regarded as the utmost priority. If we are to minimize the risks of triggering irreversible chain reactions beyond human control, we need to act now.  Fridays For Future will keep protesting as long as exploitation of nature is allowed to continue.”
 
Manuel Pulgar-Vidal, WWF Global Lead for Climate & Energy says, “Millions of young people across the world are challenging us all to confront the realities of the climate crisis. They are speaking and we should listen. 

“We must support the youth in their efforts to raise awareness of the urgency to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions in line with what science says is needed to avoid the worst consequences of climate change. Leaders must take this seriously, move quickly, and ensure our children have the secure future they are asking for.” 
 
Kirtanya Lutchminarayan from South Africa says, “We are in a climate planetary emergency. We need business, government, civil society, and individual citizens to come on board and act for humanity’s survival and a resilient future. We need stronger alliances and to replace overconsumption with regenerative ways of being.”

Pius Mbogo from Tanzania says, ''I, and the rest of the billions of young people in the world, don't want to die or get sick because of human error indifference towards climate change. We have the solutions, let's act like this is an emergency and take climate action now.''

Oluwaseun Salami from Nigeria says, “The future we hope for is only a result of the today we strive for. Without urgent attention by our leaders to sharply reduce emissions, we face devastating consequences. We must secure tomorrow from today."  
 
Brynjar Bragi Einarsson from Iceland says, “We can easily see climate change just by looking at glaciers, which have become smaller and some even disappeared. An example is the glacier Ok. This shows us that climate change is real, and we need some big actions now before it's too late to act.”

Damien Mouzoun from Rwanda says, “Nothing can be further to the truth that everything we owe Mother Nature shall be paid back for there won't be any shortcut to success.”
 
Maria Papatheodorou from Fridays For Future – Greece says, “The basis of environment activism is that we want the climate crisis to be acknowledged and taken seriously by governments and people. As strong as our urge is to walk the streets once more, this time we will have to bring our message across from inside our homes. Because we stand by our beliefs: We treat every crisis like a crisis! Do you?”
 
David Munene from Kenya says, “Last night, I heard the toads and frogs that croak during the rainy season croak in anticipation for the rains just like they used to accurately predict the rains in the nineties. Sadly, this time they were wrong - it did not rain. Biodiversity knew the climate and now it doesn't.”

Alija Madžović from Fridays For Future in Serbia says “To older generations I say you need to think about your actions, to understand that change is necessary, even if it means giving up our personal commodity and shifting our habits. This is the only way that we can all survive on this planet.”

Leonarda Šmigmator from Fridays For Future in Croatia says, “The older generations should not turn their back to young activists speaking, they should listen carefully to what we have to say.”

Festus Adedoyin from the UK says, "Scientific evidence underscores the demands of climate change protesters that we must sharply reduce global emissions to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. The responsibility for a climate-friendly world is on us all.”

For further information contact Mandy Jean Woods mwoods@wwfint.org