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Photos: What the youth climate strike looks like around the world

These images of youth climate activists on strike around the world are simply inspiring.

Hundreds of people marched from District six to Parliament during a Global Climate strike in Cape Town, South Africa, on September 20, 2019.
Hundreds of people marched from District six to Parliament during a Global Climate strike in Cape Town, South Africa, on September 20, 2019.
Hundreds of people marched from District six to Parliament during a Global Climate strike in Cape Town, South Africa, on September 20, 2019.
| Brenton Geach/Gallo Images via Getty Images

This story is part of Covering Climate Now, a global collaboration of more than 250 news outlets to strengthen coverage of the climate story.


Friday may be remembered as the largest global demonstration ever in the fight against climate change. Inspired by Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, young people around the world have organized to skip school and protest in the street over the climate crisis and the adults who aren’t doing enough to transition off fossil fuels.

Thunberg and her group Fridays for Future aren’t alone: They’ll be joined by adult climate activists, indigenous groups, workers from companies like Amazon and Google, and really anyone who feels like the world is overdue for dramatic action on climate change.

Related

The event is truly global: There are 2,500 events scheduled in over 150 countries.

Let’s take a look at what’s happening around the globe.

Afghanistan

Young people attend a Climate Strike rally, as Afghan security forces guard them in Kabul, Afghanistan on September 20, 2019.
Young people attend a Climate Strike rally, as Afghan security forces guard them in Kabul, Afghanistan on September 20, 2019.
Ebrahim Noroozi/AP

Australia

Australians Rally For Climate Action As Part Of Global Climate Strike
Young children dressed in traditional dress representing the Pacific Island get ready to march in Melbourne, Australia on September 20, 2019.
Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images

Bangladesh

Bangladeshis Rally In Dhaka For Global Climate Strike
School students and protesters gather in Dhaka, Bangladesh on September 20, 2019.
Allison Joyce/Getty Images

Belgium

Activists in Brussels Join The Global Climate Strike
Protesters march in Brussels on September 20, 2019.
Jack Taylor/Getty Images

Chile

Global Climate Strike - Santiago de Chile
Demonstrators play dead during the global climate strike in Santiago, Chile.
Marcelo Hernandez/Getty Images

China

Protesters hold signs and chant slogans during the Hong Kong Climate Strike rally in Hong Kong, China on September 20, 2019.
Protesters hold signs and chant slogans during the Hong Kong Climate Strike rally in Hong Kong, China on September 20, 2019.
Chris McGrath/Getty Images

El Salvador

Global Climate Strike - San Salvador
A demonstrator wearing a face mask holds up banners in San Salvador, El Salvador.
Camilo Freedman/APHOTOGRAFIA/Getty Images

France

Young climate protesters stand on the statue of the nation’s square in Paris, France on September 20, 2019.
Young climate protesters stand on the statue of the nation’s square in Paris, France on September 20, 2019.
Emeric Fohlen/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Germany

Global climate strike in Hamburg
In Hamburg, Germany, climate strikers fill one of the city’s main streets on September 20, 2019.
CityNewsTV/Picture Alliance/Getty Images

Greece

Global Climate Strike In Athens
Students demonstrate in central Athens, Greece on September 20, 2019.
Nicolas Koutsokostas/NurPhoto/Getty Images

India

Students wearing masks hold signs as they protest against governmental inaction towards climate breakdown in Guwahati, India on September 20, 2019.
Students wearing masks hold signs as they protest against governmental inaction towards climate breakdown in Guwahati, India on September 20, 2019.
Biju Boro/AFP/Getty Images

Indonesia

Indonesians Rally In Jakarta For Global Climate Strike
Schoolgirls call for action on climate change in Jakarta, Indonesia on September 20, 2019.
Ed Wray/Getty Images

Japan

Japanese Rally In Tokyo For Global Climate Strike
Climate strikers hold signs in Tokyo, Japan, near United Nations University on September 20, 2019.
Yuichi Yamazaki/Getty Images

Netherlands

School students and protesters march at the Dam Square in Amsterdam, Netherlands on September 20, 2019.
School students and protesters march at the Dam Square in Amsterdam, Netherlands on September 20, 2019.
Paulo Amorim/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Nigeria

Protesters cheer and march in Abuja, Nigeria on September 20, 2019.
Protesters cheer and march in Abuja, Nigeria on September 20, 2019.
Kola Sulaimon/AFP/Getty Images

Pakistan

Youths hold placards as they march in Islamabad, Pakistan on September 20, 2019.
Youths hold placards as they march in Islamabad, Pakistan on September 20, 2019.
Aamir Qureshi/AFP/Getty Images

Philippines

Filipinos Rally In Manila For Global Climate Strike
Flipino indigenous youth, students, and environmental activists take part in the Global Climate Strike in Quezon City, Philippines on September 20, 2019.
Ezra Acayan/Getty Images

Poland

Students, parents and activists march in Krakow, Poland on September 20, 2019.
Students, parents and activists march in Krakow, Poland on September 20, 2019.
Omar Marques/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

South Africa

Global Climate strike in Cape Town
Young people march to Parliament in Cape Town, South Africa on September 20, 2019.
Brenton Geach/Gallo Images via Getty Images

South Korea

Environmental activists stage a performance using LED lights to create the Morse code symbol for SOS in Seoul, South Korea on September 20, 2019.
Environmental activists stage a performance using LED lights to create the Morse code symbol for SOS in Seoul, South Korea on September 20, 2019.
Ed Jones/AFP/Getty Images

Thailand

Thais Rally In Bangkok For Global Climate Strike
Thai youth take part in a “die-in”, where strikers lie on the ground and pretend to die, symbolizing the impact of climate change in Bangkok, Thailand on September 20, 2019.
Lauren DeCicca/Getty Images

Ukraine

Youth hold posters during the Global Climate Strike in Kiev, Ukraine on September 20, 2019.
Youth hold posters during the Global Climate Strike in Kiev, Ukraine on September 20, 2019.
STR/NurPhoto via Getty Images

United Kingdom

Activists In London Join The Global Climate Strike
Students listen to speakers as they attend the Global Climate Strike in London, United Kingdom on September 20, 2019.
Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

Listen to Today, Explained

In just one week, she inspired global protests, mean-mugged President Trump, and chastised world leaders at the United Nations. David Wallace-Wells, editor at New York magazine, explains the rise of Greta Thunberg.

Looking for a quick way to keep up with the never-ending news cycle? Host Sean Rameswaram will guide you through the most important stories at the end of each day.

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