A lively sea of young activists gathered near Foley Square in lower Manhattan on Sept. 20 to call for increased environmental protection, just days before global leaders are expected to meet to discuss plans to reduce carbon emissions at the United Nations Climate Action Summit on Sept. 23 in New York City.
The youth climate strike, which drew crowds that stretched several blocks on Friday afternoon, was led by 16-year-old Greta Thunberg, a widely known climate activist from Sweden who has become the face of the movement to combat global warming. Thunberg, who crossed the Atlantic by sailboat and arrived in N.Y. on Aug. 28, was joined by thousands of the city’s 1.1 million school children who were given official permission to ditch class to take part in the peaceful march.
Event organizers estimate that more than 3 million demonstrators turned out at more than 2,000 locations across all seven continents.
The preliminary numbers say there are at least 3 million people in today’s #ClimateStrike And that is before counting North and South America!! To be updated… #FridaysForFuture pic.twitter.com/9C8SE5kSxZ
— Greta Thunberg (@GretaThunberg) September 20, 2019
Although Thunberg’s presence drew special attention, the strike held in New York City was of particular importance to a group of high school students who traveled to the march not by sailboat, but by southbound subway— 15 miles from the Bronx.
“We’re just trying to come together to make a difference,” said Katie Cruz, a 15-year-old activist from Throggs Neck, a neighborhood in the South Bronx. “It really means a lot to be here and show that we have a voice.”
While the images often associated with climate change are those of melting glaciers, burning forests and endangered species, air pollution is “a leading environmental threat to the health of urban populations,” according to a report published by NYC.gov.
The worst air quality in New York City is that in the South Bronx, where asthma is widespread, and treatment is costly and limited.
“I walk through the streets and see smog,” said Cruz, who suffers from the respiratory condition. “My grandma also has asthma. Walking is so hard for her, and she always feels so out of breath when she’s outside.”
Several studies have shown that climate change is a major contributor to social inequality, and UN research conducted in 2017 concluded that the negative impacts of pollution disproportionately impact already vulnerable communities.
Yarmis Cruz (no relation to Katie), said that’s why it was so important to her to show up and march.
#ClimateStrikeNYC pic.twitter.com/ja1jdlv7m8
— Lauren Peace (@LaurenMPeace) September 20, 2019
“Minority voices are often covered up by the majority, and our demands aren’t always the same as those more privileged than we are,” said Cruz, a 17-year-old from Morrisania. “I think that it’s important for us to make sure that people know that we want equity, we don’t just want equality. There’s no reason why lower income communities shouldn’t get the same benefits of a clean environment that make healthy living possible.”
Cruz said she’s noticed a growing social justice movement among young people in the Bronx, and that the representation at the climate march serves as a good indicator.
“Most of my friends are from the Bronx, and they are here, and they are speaking out, and they’re marching,” said Cruz. “It’s nice to see a little diversity.”
“We’re standing up for our futures. We deserve to be heard,” she said.