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In 2019, young people massively mobilized for the climate all over the world. It was the young Swedish Greta Thunberg who had started on her own to strike for the climate in front of the Swedish Parliament. But very quickly, other young people followed his example. In France, the movement emerged in the first months of 2019.
In the courtyard of the prestigious École normale supérieure, dozens of young people are busy this Friday, February 15, 2019. They write slogans on cardboard, " Non-assistance to planet in danger ", for example, or even " Ministry of Ecological betrayal ”. Precisely, they are preparing a demonstration in front of the Ministry for the Ecological Transition later today.
►Also listen : Report: from Lomé to Paris, youth committed to the climate
Lucien Baccaini is a student in biology. He announces the color: young people want the whole system to change since for them capitalism is not compatible with the fight for the climate, and growth cannot be green.
“ We keep talking about green growth, green finance. Finance will never be green. The goal is to make a profit, to create inequality. So from there, we can never combine the two. So perhaps you have to understand that capitalism and a sustainable society are two, ”he says.
In the afternoon in front of the ministry, there are hundreds of them, too, expressing their rejection of capitalism. The following Friday, a big mobilization. Several thousand people welcome Greta Thunberg under the bright sun. The young Swedish activist walks at the head of a Parisian procession. Among the demonstrators, Anaïs Darenes, a young woman in civic service. “ Today there are a lot of people who came because they heard that Greta Thunberg was coming. This girl is incredible, anyway, ”she says.
Some activists are very young. Secondary schoolgirls attend prestigious Parisian establishments. Today, they are skipping school to save their future. " Less wealthy, more hives, " they chant. “ Less wealthy, more beehives, to allow a fairer life. Because if we do nothing now, in a few years, it will be screwed up, we will all be dead, ”said one of them. " The planet is not going to be livable when we are of working age ", adds another.
Great global climate walk
Finally arrive on March 15 and the great global climate march: almost 2 million young people are on the streets worldwide. In Paris, the square in front of the Pantheon is crowded. And this time, even middle school students joined the fight for the climate.
" This planet that we are left with is just unacceptable. We fight while the rich, the oil bosses, the bosses of all the big companies make money make money thanks to planned obsolescence. "
►Also read : Extinction Rebellion, disobey to save the planet?
In addition to the Youth for Climate movement, another movement that is being talked about is Extinction Rebellion, which advocates civil disobedience, blockages of shopping centers, corporate headquarters, bridges and places of power.
It is June 28, the thermometer is close to 40 degrees. On that day, high school students from both Extinction Rebellion and Youth for climate organized a sit-in for the climate, right next to the Élysée Palace, the presidential palace.
“ We have claims. The first is the establishment of the state of environmental emergency, second, the carbon tax must become social and fair, "said a protester.
Protesters expect nothing from governments
Later in the year, in October, members of Extinction Rebellion mobilized in more than 60 cities around the world. In Paris, they spent a week in the city center around Place du Chatêlet. And there, the young people were joined by their elders. Thus, Gaspard, in a tie and suit jacket, sums up a widely shared observation: here, we do not expect much from governments.
“ No one can believe that those who have power today are going to do something to stop the disaster going on. This system must be changed. Those who have an interest in making it last are in power, ”he slips.
Logically, the different movements have already announced the continuation of their actions for 2020: a new major global youth strike on Friday March 13, and a new week of rebellion from Monday April 13 organized around the world by Extinction Rebellion.