Climate strikes, environmental protests in January 2021

By Burak Bir

ANKARA (AA) - Strikes, demonstrations, and protests continued across the globe in the first month of 2021, with protesters demanding more decisive actions to tackle climate change.

Activists and concerned citizens continue their online campaigns and street protests while keeping socially distant due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Events included Fridays for Future protests launched in 2018 by Swedish teen activist Greta Thunberg and various campaigns worldwide against anti-environmental practices, attitudes and several digital climate strikes.

Here is a timeline of protests and demonstrations compiled by the Anadolu Agency.

Jan. 1:

- Mentioning the importance of global cooperation in the fight against climate change, Fridays for Future Scotland calls: "Let's make 2021 the year for climate justice!"

- On the first "Fridays for Future" strike of the year, climate activists and environmental protesters continue to raise awareness of climate change and environmental issues.

Jan. 2:

- Native fisher folks of Mumbai stage protests against coastal road projects by holding signs contain anti-project contents.

Jan. 3:

- Sixteen-year-old Ugandan climate activist Leah Namugerwa celebrates Thunberg's 18th birthday by planting 18 trees: "Greta is my inspiration and the source of energy behind my activism," she says on Twitter.

Jan. 8:

- Leah Namugerwa, the 16-year-old Ugandan activist, completes her 100th "school strike 4 climate" in the second Friday strike of the year.

- In her 70th Fridays for Future strike, Patsy Islam-Parsons stage a demonstration in Sydney, Australia, says her country's decision not to submit an increased Paris target is "disgraceful".

Jan. 11:

- One Planet Summit in Paris is criticized by activists worldwide, as one of them, Indian climate activist Licypriya Kangujam says on Twitter: "Enough of climate talk; it's time for climate action. Stop greenwashing!"

Jan. 13:

- Fridays for Future movement calls on climate protesters, concerned citizens worldwide to join the newt global climate strike, the first one of the year, on Mar. 19: "We say #NoMoreEmptyPromises! Immediate action NOW!".

Jan. 15:

- On the third "Fridays for Future" strike of the year, climate activists and environmental protesters continue to raise awareness of climate change and environmental issues.

- In her 95th week on climate strike, Turkish climate activist Deniz Cevikus mentioned water scarcity in the country caused by drought and says: "Yet another proof that climate crisis will sooner or later affect all regions."

Jan. 19:

- On day 9 of the hunger strike against the West Cumbria coal mine, Elijah Mckenzie-Jackson from London says he feels weak and tired: "I believe this action is still very important in stopping West Cumbria coal mine; however, I also know I need to look out for my health as-well.

Jan. 20:

- 12 youth climate activists worldwide write an open letter to US President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, demanding to take action against "fossil fuel polluters".

Jan. 22:

- On the fourth "Fridays for Future" strike of 2021, climate activists and environmental protesters continue to raise awareness on issues related to climate change and the environment.

- Christine Coomans, a young South African climate and environmental activist from South Africa, shares her solidarity with activists around the world against climate change, sharing her photo on Twitter by holding a sign, says: "You will die of old age, I will die of climate change".

Jan. 29:

- Climate activists, environmental protesters and concerned citizens around the world continue to raise awareness on issues related to climate change and the environment on social media, mostly in the last Friday's strike of the month.