As world leaders gather in New York City for the UN Climate Action Summit, Tom Ovenden, PhD researcher in the Faculty of Natural Sciences at the University of Stirling, reflects on the climate strikes that taking place across the world, and the role of research in combating the climate emergency.

Today, I joined millions of others in coming together to raise awareness of the climate emergency facing our planet and demand action from our leaders. In over 4,000 locations around the world, students, activists and people of all ages and backgrounds joined together in an effort to hammer home the message that urgent action is needed if we are to tackle the existential threat to humanity and global ecosystems posed by climate change.

The simple but effective tactic, started by one dedicated individual just over a year ago, has brought about a global conversation on the need for everyone – from policymakers and regulators, to organisations and individual citizens – to play their part in halting global warning. As trade unionists, churches and community organisations join this youth-led movement, it is important to look beyond the headlines and consider the message at the heart of this process.

Speaking to US senators in Washington, Greta Thunberg – whose campaigning has helped bring the climate emergency such prominence – was clear: the mobilisation of citizens in more than 150 countries is indeed inspirational, but it is not praise or recognition we seek…

Continue at the Stirling University Policy Blog

Image by Kevin Snyman from Pixabay.