The youth and students in India are making their voices heard, under the banner of Fridays For Future (FFF), with recent protests outside the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). Their message is loud and clear; they demand the retraction of the Draft Environment Impact Assessment of 2020, and for the government to take serious steps against the worsening climate crisis.
Global Climate Movement: The Birth of FFF
Taking inspiration from the actions of Swedish teenager, Greta Thunberg, Fridays For Future was born. Thunberg made global headlines in 2018 when she staged a three-week-long protest in front of the Swedish parliament, demanding urgent action on the pressing climate emergency. This act of defiance not only sparked the Fridays For Future movement but also garnered her the prestigious Right Livelihood Award-2019, an alternate to Sweden’s traditional Nobel Prize. Recognizing FFF’s impactful role in stressing the devastating effects of climate change, the United Nations chose them as the recipients of the Champion of the Earth award for inspiration and action.
Mission and Goals of the FFF Movement
The primary mission of the FFF movement is to exert moral pressure on policymakers at all levels, urging them to heed the warnings of scientists and take meaningful, swift action to limit global warming. Their specific demands include keeping the global temperature rise below 1.5°C compared to pre-industrial levels, a key provision of the Paris climate deal. They also call for the promotion of climate justice and equity, as well as reliance on the best available scientific data to steer efforts in combating the climate crisis.
FFF’s Specific Demand in Delhi
In Delhi, particularly, the FFF activists’ demands center around local environmental concerns. They are calling for the protection of the Aravallis, the implementation of improved sewage management plants to mitigate the pollution in the Yamuna river, an increase in public participation in policymaking, and a more robust environmental education curriculum for schools.
Champions of the Earth Award: Recognizing Environmental Champions
The ‘Champions of the Earth’ award is the United Nations’ flagship environmental accolade. Initiated by the UN Environment Programme in 2005, the award acknowledges and celebrates individuals and organizations who have made significant, transformative positive impacts on the environment. The core purpose of this award is to recognize and inspire efforts that safeguard our planet for future generations.
As we delve deeper into the climate crisis, it is movements like Fridays For Future and young activists like Greta Thunberg who are holding governments accountable and pushing for real change. Their mission embraces the spirit of the Champions of the Earth award, demonstrating the power of collective action and reminding us that it is never too late to act for our planet’s future.
