When Greta Thunberg [1], a 15-year-old Swedish girl first appeared in front of delegates to the 2018 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Katowice, not many people knew her. She spoke on behalf of Climate Justice Now. In her three and a half minute speech [2], she spoke about climate change and absolutely nailed it. She attended the conference in the capacity of being the child who started the movement of school strikes over climate change. Since then she became a well-respected figure seen everywhere around Europe where those Friday strikes take place and was even invited to the World Economic Forum in Davos this year where she dared to tell political and business leaders: “I want you to panic. I want you to feel the fear I feel every day.”
At Generation 2004 we greatly respect her for that but it doesn’t end there we feel we need to be involved and to that point we would like to remind that the next opportunity to express our support is right around the corner.
Tomorrow, March 15, The young generation is calling for a Global Strike for Future [3] with a march in Brussels. Another march is foreseen in Luxembourg.
Generation 2004 supports Youth for Climate “Global Strike for Future” and invites its members and any other colleagues to join the march.
Schoolchildren of Belgium, united under the banner “Youth for Climate”, have made international headlines with their weekly demonstrations demanding bold political action to fight climate change.
Together with youth groups in over 50 countries, Youth for Climate have also announced a “Global Strike for Future” this Friday.
In Brussels, they will march through the city centre, starting from Gare du Nord at 13.30 and arriving at Gare du Midi at 15h00. In Luxembourg, they will be starting from the Glacis at 12:30.
Keeping in mind that
Humans are causing climate change which is accelerating and is the biggest threat for humanity and other species on earth;
In the face of this world wide phenomenon and of the need to take urgent action on all fronts, including in particular at EU level, to preserve our planet for future generations;
Action to tackle climate change and cut greenhouse gas emissions is a priority for the EU. This has been in particular underlined recently in a strong voice by the European Commission [4]. It explicitly calls for a climate-neutral Europe by 2050. We have to start this necessary transition RIGHT NOW. And we need to walk the talk!
The European Council Summit is taking place on 20-21 March, only five days after the Strike for Future march and Climate Change is on the agenda;
The European Commission – and we, its staff – are drivers of the EU policies that are setting a global example – whether it be relating to air quality, energy efficiency, sustainable mobility, the circular economy or single-use plastics, to name a few;
A strong public message from staff members of the European Commission would symbolically underline the strong and unwavering commitment of the institution and its staff in taking action to combating climate change;
We are nationals from many different European Member States, but we are all residents in our host country and are committed to being actively involved locally;
Many of us have children who will be participating in the Youth for Climate Strike for Future on Friday, 15 March; the students of the European School in Luxembourg have announced their intentions to participate. Sadly, however, the administration of the school has already informed the parents that the school does not support the action and will not grant for the right of students to demonstration. However, at least in Luxembourg 1, it seems that children will be allowed to leave the school if their parents support it.
Participation by members of staff associations and trade unions of the EU civil service, including by Generation 2004, in this global climate event alongside youth, other trade unions and members of civil society would be a powerful message to EU citizens, to EU leaders and to the world.
Generation 2004 has therefore decided to
- Support and participate in the march;
- Invite its members and colleagues to join the march;
- Invite parents to put pressure on the EU schools so that their children can participate;
- Invite all other staff associations and trade unions in the European Commission and other EU institutions to join the march;
- Invite members of staff associations and trade unions to unite and march together under one banner “European Commission staff”.
Join us at 13.30 in front of the Covent Garden building (Place Rogier, close to Gare du Nord) on Friday at 13.30. In Luxembourg, march starts in Glacis at 12:30.
Please bring your personal message to our leaders on climate change and please wear something green on the day (shirt or just a tie would be ok).