THE COUNTRY
Thousands of people demonstrate in 450 cities around the world to demand a change in the economic model to alleviate the environmental and social crisis.
The international youth movement against climate change “Fridays For Future” has taken to the streets against the environmental crisis and for the transition to a more sustainable model in 450 cities around the world, from Japan and Germany to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Only in Spain there have been concentrations in 22 cities. Convened for the first time in 2018, and very affected after the break caused by the pandemic, the organization is now trying to resume the great momentum that these demonstrations had at the beginning. This year’s slogan is “democratize energy”.
“Large economies benefit through companies that operate in different countries. Many times they work in natural areas where they would not be allowed to operate in Europe”, says Ariana Zumaran Jibaja, one of the spokespersons for the movement.
Carlos Lobo, a 23-year-old from Madrid and spokesperson for Fridays For Future, explains the nature of his alarm over the climate crisis: “We are concerned and we see that nothing is being done. We are those children who no longer have anything,” he says.
The rallies of young activists take place six weeks before the UN climate summit, known as COP27, in Sharm El-Sheikh (Egypt).
The conference will concentrate its efforts on discussing the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, securing financing to mitigate the repercussions of climate change in the poorest countries, especially in Africa.
A report published by the World Meteorological Organization warns that by 2030, up to 118 million Africans will be exposed to droughts, floods and extreme heat.
