With climate strikes in Newcastle showing that there is a feeling in our city that we need to do more to protect our environment, the work of Greta Thunberg at Bristol seems significant.
Speaking in connection with Bristol Youth Strike 4 Climate (BYS4C) Greta addressed 15,000 people today. She was met with chants of “Greta, Greta” showing the welcoming atmosphere that she stepped onto the stage with.
Greta spoke on College Green before leading a march through Bristol city. Her speech told that politicians and the media are ignoring the climate emergency and that they are “sweeping their mess under the rug”. She stated that “world leaders are behaving like children” and that “change is coming whether you like it or not”.
Greta led the crowds behind a green banner that read School Strike for Climate in Swedish. She was joined by many school children, people who had left lectures to join and also many people who had left their offices to be involved. Protestors of all ages were there to support both Greta and the appeal for more to be done to save the environment.
The poor weather of the day did not deter these determined people, and even the mayor himself was supportive. Martin Reeves took to Twitter to welcome Greta and all the young people who had come to Bristol He said that his city was “at the forefront of action on climate and social justice”.
With Greta telling the crowd that “Activism works. So I’m telling you to act”, the people of Bristol certainly have the desire for change to take place, and are taking it upon themselves to carry out this “act”.
