On Friday, March 25, Seattle's youth came together in a "Global Climate Strike" to protest the use of fossil fuels and call for a future of climate justice. The action was inspired by young climate activist Greta Thunberg, who has encouraged that Fridays be used a global days for climate justice.
Like Thunburg's global movement, Seattle's event was spearheaded by young people, whose future is at risk. They gathered to call on everyone from registered voters to the Biden administration to keep climate justice in mind and steer our country toward a green and equitable future.
The youth speak out
The event began with speakers who highlighted how the climate crisis and dependency on Russia's oil and gas intersect with social justice, health disparities in Washington, and war. Youth speakers came from several activist organizations. "Climate change may just be the greatest issue that youth of today will face," said Joey from Fridays for Future Seattle. "We need to face it head on, and we need to face it together."
Ship It Zero's Elizah encouraged spectators to recognize the importance of immediate climate action. "Climate justice must be seen for what it is: our highest priority. Leaders need to step up and commit to zero-emission shipping now," she said.
Zoe, a youth activist from Climate Action Families, voiced her desire for a better future, reflecting the feelings of the younger generations. "I want my kids to see the beauty of nature. I want them to be able to breathe," she said. "At the rate we're going, they won't be able to. We must take action now!"
In addressing the US Congress, speakers brought up Rep. Pramila Jayapal's list of executive actions that must be taken. This includes "using the Defense Production Act to marshal the country's immense manufacturing might to combat dual crises: Russia's war in Europe and the climate emergency." Organizers and speakers voiced their support for this measure as an effective way for the US to supply renewable energy technologies to European countries still dependent on Russian oil.
Adult activists like Eric from Global Climate Strike also noted the connection between fossil fuels and global war. "You know, yesterday marked the thirtieth day, or a full month, of war in Ukraine," he said. "We know that Russia's financing [its] war with fossil fuels. We want to address the war in Ukraine. We want to end fossil fuel wars, and transition Europe — but also the globe — off of fossil fuels, oil, and gas."
The event was organized entirely by youth advocates, many of whom are not old enough to vote yet. They hoped to bring attention to an issue that older generations seem complacent about. Their calls to action are for those who can to divert funds away from greedy corporations, hold the Biden administration accountable, and recognize the importance of climate action.
Organizers included Emma Smith, a young activist with Climate Justice, who said she got involved because she sees climate justice as a direct link to her future well-being. "I feel very strongly that climate justice is about human rights and that we're at a really important moment right now in history where we can do something and fight for a just and livable future," she said.
The event's goal was simply "to come together," Smith said. "And to have some fun. Because the climate crisis is big and scary, and there's no way to come together and to achieve climate justice if we're isolated, or if we're not ready to step into other spaces."
History has its eyes on youth
The Global Climate Strike, which has become a yearly event, comes at the precipice of history. Climate activists, like the Ship It Zero crew, are echoing the words of Thunberg, who warns we are nearing an irreversible point. In 2022, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change issued a report that the world is far behind the global goal set in the 2015 Paris Climate Accord of keeping the temperature increase at 1.5 degrees Celsius.
This year's Global Climate Strike theme was "People Not Profit," and speakers in Seattle's strike noted the harmful effects climate change has, especially for BIPOC people, those experiencing poverty, and those with disabilities.
Many of the young speakers expressed the hope they have for the future. Adamantly against the war in Ukraine, they pointed out that moving away from Russian fossil fuels also allows the United States to start investing more in renewable energy sources.
"We are at a really big turning point in history where we can choose to produce more fossil fuels, because Biden has just signed an executive order stopping the importation of fossil fuels... or oil from Russia," Smith told the SGN. "We can choose more fossil fuels and more wars and more climate catastrophes, or we can choose climate justice... I'm excited about the choice we're going to make for climate justice."
The event, which took place in Cal Anderson Park on Capitol Hill, welcomed climate scientists and youth speakers but also drew interest from locals with engaging activites such as painting workshops and a parachute toss. The atmosphere reflected the activism of the 1960s, as everyone gathered to reflect on hope for a greener future. The event culminated with speakers and activists coming together to form a human mural demanding "Climate Justice Now."
Organizers branded it a success. "Our goal was to steer our country, our society, and our world toward a future where all of us can thrive," Smith said.
"We had a lot of people show up, we had activities, and it was fun," Elizah added.