In September 2019 as part of the Global Climate Strike, hundreds of students and youth joined together in the streets of New Delhi, India, to demand clean air and a sustainable city. Credit: Ritu Bhardwaj, Survival Media Agency

what we once took for granted,
became something we wish we had.
and just like a bird in a cage,
that is meant to fly in the first place,
we are instead unfree and unease.
some streets are now dead empty,
some others are filled with those who are angry.
and some people are also less lucky,
unlike those with a roof on their heads and a loving family.
...
we should be impactful to fix our reality.
work hand in hand,
for working together will bring us further.
reflect upon what’s happening,
and thus we shall recover.

— Naifah Uzlah, Youth Climate Activist, Indonesia, ‘Reflection for Recovery: A Letter about the Crisis’

John,

Through poetry, art, storytelling and activism, young people across the globe continue to turn up the volume on the climate crisis. Even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, they’re still finding ways to push for climate justice.

And not only that, they’re stepping up and demanding just solutions to the interwoven crises we face as a global community. They know that the choices we make today will shape our society, economy, health, and climate for decades to come.

This International Youth Day, we celebrate the massive contributions of the youngest generation. Their voices echo through the streets of our communities, across international digital spaces, and in the halls of some of the world’s most prominent buildings.

Here is a collection of stories from the new Youth Storytelling Hub. Check it out at globalclimatestrike.net/stories.

Life in an Urban Bubble
by Yuk Yi, Singapore

‘I’m playing with the hand I’ve been dealt. My cards are humble, but I’m fueled with a purpose.’ Read more

The Hummingbird in Me
by Kaluki Paul Mutuku, Kenya

‘We cannot afford to go back to “normal” systems that were before this pandemic, based and rooted in historical, environmental, social and political injustices.’ Read more

Supporting Our Indigenous Communities in the Midst of a Pandemic
by María Teresa Fernández Pérez, Peru

"This is why having a connected community is so important, everyone knows the truth and we get to know every member.” Watch

More Stories From Youth Climate Strikers

Take a look at the youth-powered storytelling hub for other stories from young people.

In Case You Missed It

Trendsetter: With a big thanks to people-powered campaigns, Kiwibank is the first bank in New Zealand to commit to being fossil free. And it’s the first bank in the world that has committed to denying coal, oil and gas companies their financial services altogether. How did the campaigns keep up the pressure? Read on

No one left behind: Indigenous territories and ancestral domains are considered bastions of ecologically sustainable ways of life, yet they continue to be the most marginalized and vulnerable communities in Asia. A Just Recovery means no one gets left behind. Read more

One to Watch

Indigenous peoples in Brazil have been disproportionately devastated by the COVID-19 crisis. And the continued expansion and public funding of coal, oil and gas in the country is increasing inequality, forced displacement, and ultimately the persecution and murder of Indigenous peoples and communities of colour.

In honor of the lives of Indigenous peoples in Brazil and the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples on August 9, we draw attention to the injustices these communities face. Watch and share