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Do you Love your Children? Your (Lack of) Action Suggests Otherwise

  • Writer: slingshotmagazine
    slingshotmagazine
  • Mar 7, 2019
  • 2 min read

Updated: Mar 11, 2019

by Torbjørn Jørstad



Children worldwide have started standing up for the climate. But will they be able to make a change? Picture from a protest in New York in 2014 ©WIKIPEDIACOMMONS

Because when it comes to preserving the only planet your children will inherit, you’re not doing a very good job. None of us are, in fact.


But now young people worldwide are finally speaking up collectively – enough is enough; the previous generations have neglected the problems of tomorrow for too long, is their message. The protests spawned from the ultimate grassroots effort: a lone Swedish schoolgirl skipping school to protest climate change, who’s now inspired hordes around the globe to do the same.


Schoolchildren in the UK joined in with around 60 organised protests nationwide last month, an estimated 10,000 taking part. On March 15th, a further 500 organised protests worldwide will take place, with the turnout in the UK alone expected to be double that of the February protests.


A near unanimous scientific community has for decades warned of the dangers our current life styles presents to our climate and planet. It is far too late to reverse the damages we have done to our only current home in the world, we can still limit the reach. The fact that those now spearheading this push are showing more willpower and determination than previous generations combined, speaks for itself.

Yet despite the lack of real electoral power, the children seem to be actually making a difference.


Climate change is again itching towards top of the priority list in several countries, much to the dismay of those in power lining their pockets with money from the fossil fuel industry, screaming “there is no fire” as the theatre burns down in front of them.


The children didn’t start the fire, but they’re trying to fight it. Which is more than can be said about their parents and grandparents.



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