Hundreds of protestors, most of them students, decided to turn truant and skip school to protest governments’ inaction against climate change. For the next week, the students will be gathering across towns and cities across India, kicking off a day of worldwide protests for action against climate change.
“Whenever I talk about climate justice with adults, they don’t care. I come from Assam, a state that sees floods every year. Things will only get worse. But no one cares. Not the politicians, not the media. But I care. That’s why I have come to strike,” says Krittika Kashyap, a student from Delhi University.
Youth Ki Awaaz spoke to some young climate strikers to ask why they decided to cut classes and step out into the streets:
“I Am Interested In Making Students Care”: Dhananjay, Student, Jaypee Institute Of Technology
We have a subject called EVS in college, but most students don’t care about it. They think it doesn’t affect them. I am interested in making students care. And I am interested in making the government take notice of the climate crisis by raising my voice.
“If This Really Is An Adult Problem, Why Haven’t We Solved It?” : Veer Khanna, The Shri Ram School Aravali
If this really is the problem for adults and world leaders, why haven’t we solved it? It’s also the reason why children like me have to step out – miss school, bunk classes – in protest. If the adults had done something, we wouldn’t have to be out here to suffer from the consequences of their actions.
“I Have Seen Young People Do More Than Adults To Fight Climate Change”: Srijani Dutta, Bloom School, Delhi
I have seen young people do more than adults to fight climate change. We are coming out in protest, we are holding the government accountable, we are showing adults what they need to do. I’m here to hold the government accountable for the environmental degradation it has caused, and the degradation it has not tried to stop.
“Striking Makes A Difference”: Manya, The Shri Ram School, Aravali
Striking makes a difference. Sure, striking will not suddenly solve our environmental problems, but it will get the attention of the people in power, the people who can make these policies, who can help us curb these issues. Striking will tell them that we will not sit quietly, while the big corporations put profit over people.
“If You Think Climate Change Doesn’t Affect You, You Are Wrong”: Adarshika, Student, Delhi University
If you think climate change doesn’t affect you, because you are privileged, you are wrong. It is bound to affect everyone, and noone will be able to escape it. My advice: start taking action. Do things that help the environment. Your effort matters.
“Let’s Talk About Personal Responsibility”: Garv, South Delhi Public School
I think there is an urgent need to talk about personal responsibility when we discuss the climate crisis. After all, it is human action and human greed that’s driving emissions, and causing this unprecedented crisis.
“ It Is Our Future And We Need To Be Out Here”: Anshu, Delhi University
The reason why I’m here right now is because the climate crisis is the single most important crisis we need to be addressing right now. It is our future and we need to be out here. If you are not here, you are not helping your cause and your future.
“Everyone Needs To Strike”: Geetika Sharma, School Of Open Learning, Delhi University
Everyone needs to strike because the climate crisis is a huge problem. We have been studying this since school, but people somehow assume it’s not real. What we need to be really asking is: yes, there is a problem, but what are you going to do about it? We can’t blame each other or the government. Someone needs to start talking about what can be done.
“Adults Don’t Care About Climate Justice”: Krittika Kashyap, Delhi University
Whenever I talk about climate justice with adults, they don’t care. Most times I am shrugged off. I get it. We are the generation that’s going to suffer, so for us, this issue is more urgent. But how can they just evade all responsibility? I come from Assam, a state that sees floods every year. Things will only get worse. But no one cares. Not the politicians, not the media. But I care. That’s why I have come to strike.
