Local environmental movement 'Save Maldives' will coordinate protests in relation to the weeklong 'Global Climate Strike', to be held from September 20 to 27.
Multiple discussions have been initiated by the group in order to organize protests across the country.
Today - #ClimateStrikeMV supporters are out on the streets of Male' again to encourage everyone to join the global #ClimateStrike to make our voices heard.
— SaveMaldives (@SaveMaldivesMV) September 16, 2019
Our 🌍home is on 🔥
We have a #ClimateEmergency.
Students @MNUedu we're near you - step out and sign up!#SaveMaldives 💙 pic.twitter.com/X6msDK0H0v
#ClimateStrikeMV strikers struck a conversation with @MoEdumv Minister @aisthly today near Velaanaage.
— SaveMaldives (@SaveMaldivesMV) September 15, 2019
When will the Minister acknowledge #ClimateEmergency and pledge to inform and educate #FutureGenerations abt what's being done to their 🌍home?#FridaysForFuture#SaveMaldives💙 pic.twitter.com/m4Vt9Pc20I
A volunteer for Save Maldives, Humaida Abdul Ghafoor, stated that protests were sparked by the government's "all talk but no action policy."
Despite the government attending various international climate change-related conferences and advocating against its devasting effects on a Small Island Developing State (SIDS) such as Maldives, environmentalists are voicing concern against the administration's refusal to halt state-sponsored 'ecocide', in the form of tree uprooting, land reclamation and the loss of biodiversity, through degradation of the Maldivian ecosystem.
Thank you to everyone who joined our heads-together event today at Sultan Park in Malé.
— SaveMaldives (@SaveMaldivesMV) September 14, 2019
Looking forward to getting organised with your support to raise our collective voices about the global #ClimateEmergency and to make #ClimateStrikeMV a success.#ClimateStrike#SaveMaldives 💙 pic.twitter.com/CZ39odjkZK
The global strike was inspired as a result of 16-year-old Swedish national Greta Thunberg's lone protest outside the Swedish Parliament building in 2018 citing political inaction against climate change. Her actions sparked a worldwide movement dubbed 'School Strike for Climate', which has since become one of the leading youth-led climate change organizations in the world.
On September 20, Friday, a mass protest will be held ahead of the 24th Session of the Conference of Parties (COP24) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, aiming to pressure governments towards addressing the dire situation.
“For 25 years, countless people have come to the U.N. climate conferences begging our world leaders to stop emissions, and clearly that has not worked as emissions are continuing to rise. So I will not beg the world leaders to care for our future", said Greta.
"I will instead let them know change is coming whether they like it or not".
On Friday 20 Sept, @GretaThunberg & other young people will lead the #ClimateStrike but they can’t do it alone. Everyone is needed to demand urgent climate action.
— YouthStrike4Climate 🌍 (@Strike4Youth) August 20, 2019
RT and spread the word.#YouthStrike4Climate #GeneralStrike4Climate #GlobalClimateStrike pic.twitter.com/EaCWeMe2W4
The global strike hopes to mobilize millions of people around the world, in an effort to curb the climate crisis before irreversible damages occur.
"These Climate Strikes won’t solve the climate crisis alone," said the Global Climate Movement, "What this moment can do is demonstrate that people are no longer willing to continue with business as usual.
At present, 120 countries have scheduled protests during the week and over 1.5 million people are estimated to take part in the demonstrations.
In the Maldives, large scale infrastructural projects have decimated natural assets on various islands including multiple surf breaks in capital city Male' and airport island Hulhule', as well as the controversial development of an airport in Kulhudhuffushi, Haa Dhaalu Atoll, which saw 13 hectares of the island's prized mangrove wetland reclaimed.
Various organizations are taking part in the strike, including women empowerment group Uthema Maldives and anti-corruption watchdog Transparency Maldives.
Save Maldives is working towards "changing behaviours and attitudes that adversely affect the environment and support community conservation efforts".
Their goal is to ensure the protection and preservation of the environment whilst recognising the importance of an independent Environmental Protection Agency to achieve these targets.
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