5. College Green

Greta Thunberg comes to Bristol

February 28, 2020, crowds of young people, children and adults alike cheered environmental activist Greta Thunberg onto the stage at College Green as part of the Bristol Youth Strike for Climate (BYS4C).

Greta Thunberg warned "those in power" she will "not be silenced when the world is on fire". The teenager was welcomed by chants of "Greta, Greta" as she addressed some 15,000 people at the event.

She accused politicians and the media of ignoring the climate emergency and "sweeping their mess under the rug". "We are the change, and change is coming whether you like it or not," the Swedish environmentalist said.

Greta was speaking at the climate strike event on College Green, before leading a march through the city.

"Activism works so I'm telling you to act," she said. "We are being betrayed by those in power."

Thunberg flagged up the recent decision by north Somerset council to oppose Bristol airport expansion as an example of what could be achieved if activists worked together.

You can read the full speech here.

Why is the climate crisis a human rights issue?

While we largely understand climate change through the impacts it will have on our natural world, it is the devastation that it is causing and will continue to cause for humanity that makes it an urgent human rights issue.

It will compound and magnify existing inequalities. And its effects will continue to grow and worsen over time, creating ruin for current and future generations. This is why the failure of governments to act on climate change in the face of overwhelming scientific evidence may well be the biggest inter-generational human rights violation in history.

Now take action below to protect those who protect our environment. It is the only option we have for our families and friends to live in a better world.

You can also read about climate action projects to get involved in across Bristol.

All over the world, pollution is increasing and natural resources are running out.

María, Jani, Joel, and Danelly are brave people who, together with their Indigenous, campesino and black communities, have been the voices and protectors of our environment and natural resources in Colombia. In a country where the attacks that they suffer from usually go unpunished and in which no authorities can guarantee their safety, they are forced to risk their life on a daily basis to defend the water, oxygen, and food that we all depend on to live.

But we still have time to protect them. The Colombian Congress has the power to monitor that human rights defenders have the guarantees necessary to continue protecting the environment.

https://www.amnesty.org/en/get-involved/take-action/protege-a-quienes-nos-protegen/