Climate Strike in Huddersfield
Friday was an incredible day in Huddersfield: The atmosphere was filled with excitement and ambition for change. I attended the Global Youth Strike for Climate protest, organised by a range of environmental groups and trade unions, at St. George’s Square. This is an issue I care about deeply, having voted for policies on climate change throughout my career. Currently, I am working on a Sustainable City programme for Huddersfield.
It is crucial we work together to act on the climate crisis now. We do not have long left to save our fragile planet. I want to ensure that we care for the nature we have, especially in West Yorkshire, as I’ve mentioned before. I was glad to see many of my constituents there, I hope to see many more at the next strike.
As one young activist said during his speech to the large crowd, “No matter how hard rich people try, no one can escape climate change.” It is this passion from such young people which motivates me to support the Youth Strikes for Climate. We must keep up the pressure on local and national governments across the world to hear young voices and make drastic changes in our approach to the environment. The climate crisis will effect young people the most and so I implore all those who will be affected to engage as much as possible with the situation, in whatever capacity is available to you, whether it be striking in person or making small changes in your life, tackling the climate crisis is a team effort.
I believe it is truly wonderful that so many young people care so much about the climate crisis; youth engagement in politics is crucial to the future of the country and indeed the world. I spoke to many about their views on the climate, to ask why they were striking from school today. Some mentioned their hopes to motivate other young people to strike and care more for the environment; others were concerned with our plastic consumption across the world; most were here to fight for their future, and the future generations.
