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Youth Climate Strike
Young people rally in downtown L.A. as part of the Global Youth Climate Strike on March 25, 2022.
(
Erin Stone
/
LAist
)
Topline:
Young people in L.A will march in the streets on Friday, joining others across the world. Youth Climate Strike Los Angeles organizers say they expect some 500 young people to rally outside L.A. City Hall at noon to protest the lack of action they say is needed to address the climate crisis and save lives.
The backstory: The activists held their first youth climate strike in 2019 and it has happened every year since, although COVID slowed recent attendance. The movement was inspired by Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, who says the climate crisis is especially devastating to the world’s young people.
Why it matters: Globally, this summer was the hottest since records began back in 1880, according to NASA, in large part due to 200 years of carbon and methane pollution spewed into the atmosphere since the Industrial Revolution. Despite goals and promises set by world leaders, global greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise. The science is clear that it means we’re in for a hotter, more extreme weather reality for at least the rest of this century if global climate pollution isn’t significantly cut by 2030 or soon after.
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What they’re asking for: Youth Climate Strike Los Angeles organizers state in a public document that they’re calling on the local, state and federal governments, as well as the L.A. Department of Water and Power and L.A. Unified School District, to, among other things, declare a climate emergency and rapidly scale up efforts, such as ending oil drilling, planting trees, greening schools, improving public transit, and building affordable, climate-friendly housing.
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
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