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.
This content was published on
2 minutes
Keystone-SDA/jc
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.
More
More
Greta Thunberg responds to her critics in Lausanne
This content was published on
The sixteen-year-old has dismissed claims that she is being manipulated, saying people should concentrate on the climate crisis rather than her.
This content was published on
The Ethos Foundation recommends that shareholders vote against all compensation-related items at the Annual General Meeting on March 7.
Top Swiss firms close to reaching gender quota in boards
This content was published on
The proportion of women on the boards of directors of the fifty largest listed companies in Switzerland currently stands at 28%.
Swiss committee wants to end government resignations during legislative term
This content was published on
Members of the Federal Council should no longer be able to leave office before the end of their term, according to a House of Representatives committee.
Swiss government seat: Ritter and Pfister nominated to succeed Amherd
This content was published on
Markus Ritter from St Gallen and Martin Pfister from Zug were officially nominated by the Centre Party on Friday to succeed Defence Minister Viola Amherd.
Top Swiss court rejects Russian request for administrative tax assistance
This content was published on
There is currently no reason to transmit banking information to the Russian Federation, the Swiss Federal Court has ruled.
After strike by radiologists, doctors demonstrate in Bern
This content was published on
Following a strike by radiology technicians in Fribourg, doctors, vets, dentists and chiropractors expressed their frustration on Friday outside parliament in the Swiss capital.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
‘Where is the action?’ Swiss youth leaders frustrated as climate talks end
This content was published on
Empowered by having put climate issues at the centre of recent elections, Swiss youth leaders who travelled to the COP25 are now disappointed.
Sustainable Swiss businesses, politics and the ‘Greta Effect’
This content was published on
How serious are businesses and institutions about environmental and social issues? Sustainability expert Gretel Gambarelli gives her insights.
This content was published on
Several thousand people have taken part in climate strikes in Swiss cities, saying this should be "Green Friday instead of Black Friday".
Young activists inspire a Swiss audience on Human Rights Day
This content was published on
At a special summit in Geneva this week, six young women from across the world shared their experiences of standing up for what they believe in.
This content was published on
Student Marie-Claire Graf initiated climate strikes in Switzerland and took part in the first youth climate summit in New York.
Lausanne youth climate summit targets EU policymakers
This content was published on
A climate summit featuring Greta Thunberg has begun in Switzerland with the aim of launching a European citizens’ initiative to reduce emissions.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.