Thunberg joins more than 10,000 climate strikers in Lausanne
Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, centre in the hooded top, in Lausanne on Friday
Keystone / Jean-christophe Bott
More than 10,000 people from all over Switzerland joined an anniversary climate strike on Friday in the western city of Lausanne, also attended by 17-year-old Swedish activist Greta Thunberg.
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Thunberg told the crowd she was “honoured” to be in Lausanne and grateful for the turnout.
“So, we are now in a new year and we have entered a new decade and so far, during this decade, we have seen no sign whatsoever that real climate action is coming and that has to change,” Thunberg said.
“To the world leaders and those in power, I would like to say that you have not seen anything yet. You have not seen the last of us, we can assure you that. And that is the message that we will bring to the World Economic Forum in Davos next week.”
Also addressing the rally was Kenyan activist Njoki Njoroge Njehû, who attacked the WEF, saying the world’s billionaires were looting its resources.
A minute of silence was held at the request of a 73-year-old grandmother to remember the human and animal life decimated by Australia’s wildfires.
This demonstration, which finished at 1pm, was held to mark the one-year anniversary External linkof the climate strike movement inspired by Thunberg.External link The demonstrators sang “Happy Birthday” to mark the occasion, before setting out on their march.
One year on, they still criticize what they see as inaction on the part of politicians and economic leaders. Their placards included “Stop capitalism” and “I have a green dream”.
Most of the climate strikers are young people, but all generations are represented.
Thunberg, who also came to Switzerland last summer, is expected to travel on to the annual World Economic Forum (WEF) which begins in Davos next week.
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