| 18 September 2023
| Christie Anto
New York, USA — In a powerful display of unity and urgency, tens of thousands of people converged on the streets of New York City on Sunday, demanding immediate action against climate change. The massive rally, known as the "March to End Fossil Fuels," unfolded ahead of the opening of the United Nations General Assembly and marked the beginning of New York's Climate Week, drawing attention from around the world.
Protesters from approximately 700 organizations and activist groups came together to raise their voices, collectively declaring that humanity's future hinges on putting an end to fossil fuels. Their passionate chants and poignant signs with messages such as "Fossil fuels are killing us" and "I didn't vote for fires and floods" sent a resounding message to leaders worldwide.
A focal point of the protesters' ire was United States President Joe Biden, who is seeking re-election next year. They called on him to halt the approval of new oil and gas projects, phase out existing ones, and declare a climate emergency, empowering himself with greater executive authority to tackle the climate crisis.
Seventeen-year-old Emma Buretta of Brooklyn, a member of the youth protest group Fridays for Future, declared, "We hold the power of the people, the power you need to win this election. If you want to win in 2024, if you do not want the blood of my generation to be on your hands, end fossil fuels."
Organizers estimated that an astounding 75,000 individuals joined Sunday's event, representing a broad cross-section of society. The march was graced by prominent figures, including US Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and acclaimed actors Susan Sarandon, Ethan Hawke, Edward Norton, Kyra Sedgwick, and Kevin Bacon.
"We have people all across the world in the streets, showing up, demanding a cessation of what is killing us," Ocasio-Cortez passionately addressed the crowd. "We have to send a message that some of us are going to be living on this planet 30, 40, 50 years from now. And we will not take no for an answer."
The urgency of their demands is underscored by a recent UN climate report, which sets 2025 as the deadline for global greenhouse gas emissions to peak, followed by a steep decline, to align with the 2015 Paris Treaty's climate targets. The report emphasizes that much more action is required on all fronts, setting the stage for a critical climate summit in Dubai at year-end.
The Paris Agreement's goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 necessitates the phasing out of all fossil fuels whose emissions cannot be captured or compensated. Activists insist that this is a vital step in averting the catastrophic consequences of climate change.
Analilia Mejia, director of the activist group Center for Popular Democracy, emphasized the need for immediate action, pointing to recent extreme weather events worldwide, from wildfires in Canada, Hawaii, and Greece to floods in Libya. She demanded that the administration declare a climate emergency.
While President Biden has made historic investments in green manufacturing and clean energy projects, some young activists argue that his actions have not been forceful enough to wean the United States off fossil fuels. It's worth noting that nearly one-third of the world's planned oil and gas drilling between now and 2050 is tied to US interests, adding to the nation's historical carbon footprint.
In terms of cumulative emissions, the United States has contributed more heat-trapping carbon dioxide to the atmosphere than any other country over the past century, although China now emits more carbon pollution annually.
Leading scientists warn that the world is on track to experience record-high temperatures in the next five years, with a high likelihood of exceeding the critical 1.5°C temperature rise threshold.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has scheduled a Climate Ambition summit for Wednesday, occurring during the General Assembly, aiming to accelerate global efforts to combat climate change, involving governments, private sector organizations, and financial institutions.
"History will remember their action, or inaction," Mejia cautioned. "And if we're lucky, human beings will be around to remember what [world leaders] did in this summit."
As world leaders convene at the UN General Assembly, the resounding message from the streets of New York City is clear: the time for action on climate change is now, and the world is watching.
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