Last Friday, 4 million protesters worldwide took to the streets to demand action against climate change. This was the largest mass protest for action against climate change in history. Yet it began with only one Swedish student, Greta Thunberg, in August 2018. The majority of participants in the Global Climate Strikes are students. They miss lessons every Friday to promote one clear message: what is the point in education if there is no future?
Reactions to climate protests have been divided. Opponents argue that the climate strikers are causing disruption to the economy as well as stunting their own education (not to mention the fact that not attending school is against the law in most countries). Yet proponents of the movement, known as #FridaysforFuture, argue that climate change will have drastic effects and therefore warrants drastic actions.
Public opinion seems to be shifting in favour of the climate strikers. Last week, an eight-country poll found that a majority of people recognise climate change as an ‘emergency’ and believe conventional politics is failing to respond. The poll also found that the climate crisis is viewed as the most important issue facing the world, ahead of concerns such as migration, terrorism and the economy.
Is it okay to skip school to attend climate protests? Or can conventional political means be used to achieve the same goal? Also, would you support your child skipping school to attend a climate protest? Will you be attending yourself? Let us know your thoughts and comments in the form below and we’ll take them to policymakers and experts for their reactions!