Global climate strikes, environmental protests in May 2022

By Burak Bir

ANKARA (AA) - Protests and strikes against environmental degradation continued across the globe in May, with demonstrators demanding decisive action to tackle climate change.

Activists and netizens continued online campaigns and street protests. The events included Fridays for Future's weekly protests as well as anti-government protests over failing climate policies.

Below is a timeline of protests and demonstrations compiled by Anadolu Agency:

May 1:

- Ukrainian environmental activists gather in the capital Kyiv to protest European payment for Russian fossil fuels as part of the "#EndFossilsandWars!" campaign.

May 4:

- On the proposed EU ban on Russian fossil fuels, Greenpeace says, this is overdue, but "must be followed by immediate measures to unhook Europe from oil completely."

May 5:

- Activists in Spain’s Malaga city protest at the Naturgy thermal power plant against energy companies using Russian fossil fuels.

May 6:

- During the first Fridays for Future strike of the month, climate activists and environmental protesters continue to raise awareness of climate change, with nonprofit groups supporting their efforts.

- Ahead of the general election in Australia, thousands of climate activists hold a rally in Sydney, demanding more concrete steps against climate change.

May 8:

- Referring to media reports on cutting down India’s Hasdeo forest for coal mining, the Fridays for Future movement says it will have “devastating long-term consequences for the natural heritage of Chhattisgarh" as well as the lives and livelihoods of millions.

- Climate activists on social media celebrate the 96th birthday of wildlife historian and broadcaster David Attenborough.

May 12:

- Volunteers in Caracas, Venezuela, hold a waste collection campaign ahead of World Recycling Day on May 17.

May 13:

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

- On the 75th week of climate protests, activists in Jaffrey, New Hampshire draw trees and write down "Protect our world" to raise awareness on the protection of the environment.

May 14:

- Fridays for Future condemns the Berlin police's decision to ban the Nakba commemoration demonstrations, saying: "Freedom to assemble is a fundamental human right and we are appalled by this act of repression."

May 16:

- Greenpeace activists stop a Greek-flagged tanker carrying 33,000 tons of Russian diesel from docking in southern UK.

May 18:

- Rise up Movement activist Vanessa Nakate in Uganda highlights the importance of climate finance and says: "There is no climate justice without climate finance."

May 20:

- Fridays for Future holds the third strike of the month, with climate activists and environmental protesters raising awareness of climate change and environmental issues.

- Along with other climate activists, Jane Mellett marks the 180th week of her climate protest in the Irish capital Dublin.

May 23:

- Animal rights activists in the Indonesian capital Jakarta hold a demonstration in front of the Environment Ministry, protesting the hunting and trade of wildlife.

May 25:

- Around 250 activists block the entrance to TotalEnergies annual general meeting in Paris and many shareholders were unable to attend the meeting.

May 27:

- Fridays for Future holds the last strike of the month, with climate activists and environmental protesters raising awareness of climate change and environmental issues.

- Parents For Future Global initiative writes a letter on ending fossil fuel use, calling everyone to take part by signing it as "we are calling on governments to negotiate, adopt and implement a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, for the sake of the children we love."

May 29:

- A group of British climate activists hold a protest outside the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy in London, against the approval of new oil and gas projects.

May 31:

- To raise awareness of the environmental impacts of tobacco use, Indian sand artist Sundarsan Pattnaik makes a large skeleton that rests on many large cigarette butts on a beach in Odisha.