Greta Thunberg and Fridays for Future activists have decided to strike online in order to comply with the new coronavirus regulations banning large gatherings of people. This is how the digital strikes were born.
It has been a year since the first global climate strike on 15 March 2019. For twelve months, the young people of Fridays for Future (Fff), led by the "mother" of the movement, Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, have taken to the streets every Friday to protest against government inaction on climate. Nothing has stopped them: not the rain, not the cold, and not even attempts to discredit them.
Today, however, due to the advancing epidemic of the new coronavirus, large gatherings of people have been banned in many countries, forcing activists to rethink their methods of striking. And once again, they have "united behind the science" and found a solution to keep the protests going: launching digital strikes, online strikes across the world.
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"We can't solve a crisis without treating it as one. And this obviously applies to all crises," Greta Thunberg wrote on Twitter, "Now experts are suggesting we avoid public gatherings to reduce the spread of coronavirus. I personally urge everyone to do what they say, especially in the highest-risk areas. We young people are less exposed to the virus, but it is imperative to show solidarity with those who are more vulnerable and act in the best interest of all of society. For now, the climate crisis is the greatest crisis humanity has ever faced. We must find a new way to raise awareness among people and fight for change without creating crowds that are too large. So keep your chin up and let's take it one week at a time."
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For the coming Fridays, strikes are therefore moving online, because even in times like these it is essential to remember that the climate crisis is still here, and is far from being resolved. To join the protests, all you need to do is post a photo of yourself holding a sign and use the hashtags #digitalstrike and #climatestrikeonline.
The Fridays for Future team have published on their website a list of actions that can be taken directly from home, such as writing emails to politicians, continuing to post news on social media, hanging signs in your own windows, or preparing future activities by thinking about which approaches might be most effective. And as always, the important thing is to be creative.
Four global climate strikes have taken place so far. The first was on 15 March 2019, followed by the one on 24 May and those held during the Climate Action Week, the week of climate action that took place between 20 and 27 September 2019. The last was on 29 November.
The fifth global strike is scheduled for Friday 24 April, but given the recent developments in the coronavirus epidemic — now defined as a pandemic by the World Health Organisation — and the consequent lockdown opted for by some countries, it remains to be seen how and whether it will be organised.
One thing is certain: the Fridays for Future young people are not discouraged by anything and will find a solution this time too.
