London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Wednesday, Oct 22, 2025

COP26 youth march: 'We don't have a choice'

COP26 youth march: 'We don't have a choice'

Thousands of young people are forgoing school on day six of the UN climate summit to show world leaders they expect action on the crisis.

Activist Greta Thunberg has headlined a youth march organised by the school strike movement Fridays for Future.

Young people from across the globe joined her on the procession from Kelvingrove Park to the city centre.

Some of them told us why.

Amy, 14, from Darnley
Graham Paisley and daughter Amy, 14, are in Glasgow for the march


Graham Paisley and his daughter Amy were among those gathering in Kelvingrove Park, in Glasgow's west end, ahead of the march.

Mr Paisley, 49, said: "I am here for Amy. I think it is really important for her to have a view of what is happening in the world.

"Climate change is going to have a big impact on our lives and things will definitely get worse if we don't do anything about it."

The businessman only found out about the demonstration when S4 pupil Amy, 14, mentioned it on Monday.

They travelled from Darnley, Glasgow, to take part in what will be their first protest.

Amy said: "If someone is going to get something done about it then it is going to be young people as we are going to have to live with it.

"I hope today will make governments realise that it is something people care about.

"They need to do something about it."

April Hamilton and baby Juneau
A smiling Juneau made it to her first protest before her first birthday


April travelled to George Square from Paisley, Renfrewshire, for the rally with her 11-month-old daughter Juneau.

The teacher said: "It is too important not to be here as there hasn't been anything like this in the city before.

"I worry about what the world will be like when my daughter is older. What animals will be extinct?

"Will she see the beauty of Scotland as I saw it growing up?"

Ms Hamilton, 33, hopes the outcome of COP26 will be more than just words.

She is looking forward to seeing climate activist Greta Thunberg, whom she said is an incredible role model for her daughter.

Ms Hamilton added: "I think it is amazing that one person can have such an impact. She hasn't changed her tune and she hasn't let fame get to her head.

"She is just one girl who cares about the world."

Patrick Klein and Philip, 10

Patrick Klein brought his son Philip to his first protest

Patrick Klein is on the march with wife Julia and son Philip.

The software engineer is originally from Luxembourg but has lived in Glasgow for 20 years.

Mr Klein, 50, said: "I think it is important to make the case for climate change and to send a message to politicians that they need to take action."

He said he had been disappointed with what had been announced at COP26 so far as he believed it did not go far enough.

Among the measures Mr Klein would like to see are coal consigned to history and an end to combustion engines in cars before 2030.

Philip, 10, said: "I came here today because I want my future to to be good and I want everyone else's future to be good."

Prof Kathryn Elmer and Keifer, 10
Prof Kathryn Elmer, with her son Keifer, thinks it is time for aggressive choices


Glasgow University biology Professor Kathryn Elmer is attending the march with her son Keifer.

She said: "There has been many, many years of scepticism and talk but now is the time to make some aggressive choices.

"We can't just sit here and watch the planet burn."

Prof Elmer, who is originally from Canada, wants the UK to stand up and be a global leader on climate change.

Son Keifer, 10, said: "Not a lot of adults are listening to young people, like Greta Thunberg.

"I think it is time for for all ages to take action."

Evelyn Acham, Ugandan activist
Evelyn Acham campaigns for the Rise Up movement in Uganda


Evelyn Acham, a Ugandan activist with the Rise Up movement in Africa, said some young people had become "full-time activists" against climate change, giving up education and work due to the urgency of the crisis.

Ms Acham told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme the situation was so urgent that they had abandoned other parts of their lives to push for action.

She said: "The young people going out there to march gives us hope.

"The future belongs to those young people, because they still have a lot of time, they haven't achieved a lot, but the older generation have already achieved so much and (climate change) probably won't be so much their problem.

"But young people still have work to do, they still have school to do, they have a future to build, so this is our concern."

She added: "Many young people have given up school to become full-time activists, some have given up work, some have given up going for a masters degree, just because they're seeing the urgency of this."

She said young people continued to take to the streets across the world because "we do not have a choice".

Ruth and Dora
Ruth Ewan attended the rally with her daughter Peggy and pet dog Dora.


Ruth Ewan is in George Square for the rally with her daughter Peggy - who made a special sign for their pet lurcher, Dora.

The artist said: "I want my daughter to think about what is happening to the world and to engage with the struggle for climate justice."

Ms Ewan, 40, is also concerned about rising inequality and hopes the UN climate conference will have a positive impact across the globe.

She added: "I want to see more action and less blah blah blah.

"I am excited that my daughter will get to see Greta today as she is an amazing young female role model."

Anne Thom and Ruby, 11
Ruby is worried for her own children when she grows up


Ruby has been allowed to miss school to attend her first ever march - on her birthday.

She said: "I wanted to come here on my birthday to help everyone's voices get heard on climate change.

"I'm worried if I have any children they might not know what a polar bear is."

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Apple Challenges EU Digital Markets Act Crackdown in Landmark Court Battle
Nicolas Sarkozy begins five-year prison term at La Santé in Paris
Japan stocks surge to record as Sanae Takaichi becomes Prime Minister
This Is How the 'Heist of the Century' Was Carried Out at the Louvre in Seven Minutes: France Humiliated as Crown with 2,000 Diamonds Vanishes
China Warns UK of ‘Consequences’ After Delay to London Embassy Approval
France’s Wealthy Shift Billions to Luxembourg and Switzerland Amid Tax and Political Turmoil
"Sniper Position": Observation Post Targeting 'Air Force One' Found Before Trump’s Arrival in Florida
Shouting Match at the White House: 'Trump Cursed, Threw Maps, and Told Zelensky – "Putin Will Destroy You"'
Windows’ Own ‘Siri’ Has Arrived: You Can Now Talk to Your Computer
Thailand and Singapore Investigate Cambodian-Based Prince Group as U.S. and U.K. Sanctions Unfold
‘No Kings’ Protests Inflate Numbers — But History Shows Nations Collapse Without Strong Executive Power
Chinese Tech Giants Halt Stablecoin Launches After Beijing’s Regulatory Intervention
Manhattan Jury Holds BNP Paribas Liable for Enabling Sudanese Government Abuses
Trump Orders Immediate Release of Former Congressman George Santos After Commuting Prison Sentence
S&P Downgrades France’s Credit Rating, Citing Soaring Debt and Political Instability
Ofcom Rules BBC’s Gaza Documentary ‘Materially Misleading’ Over Narrator’s Hamas Ties
Diane Keaton’s Cause of Death Revealed as Pneumonia, Family Confirms
Former Lostprophets Frontman Ian Watkins Stabbed to Death in British Prison
"The Tsunami Is Coming, and It’s Massive": The World’s Richest Man Unveils a New AI Vision
Outsider, Heroine, Trailblazer: Diane Keaton Was Always a Little Strange — and Forever One of a Kind
Dramatic Development in the Death of 'Mango' Founder: Billionaire's Son Suspected of Murder
Two Years of Darkness: The Harrowing Testimonies of Israeli Hostages Emerging From Gaza Captivity
EU Moves to Use Frozen Russian Assets to Buy U.S. Weapons for Ukraine
Europe Emerges as the Biggest Casualty in U.S.-China Rare Earth Rivalry
HSBC Confronts Strategic Crossroads as NAB Seeks Only Retail Arm in Australia Exit
U.S. Chamber Sues Trump Over $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee
Shenzhen Expo Spotlights China’s Quantum Step in Semiconductor Self-Reliance
China Accelerates to the Forefront in Global Nuclear Fusion Race
Yachts, Private Jets, and a Picasso Painting: Exposed as 'One of the Largest Frauds in History'
Australia’s Wedgetail Spies Aid NATO Response as Russian MiGs Breach Estonian Airspace
McGowan Urges Chalmers to Cut Spending Over Tax Hike to Close $20 Billion Budget Gap
Victoria Orders Review of Transgender Prison Placement Amid Safety Concerns for Female Inmates
U.S. Treasury Mobilises New $20 Billion Debt Facility to Stabilise Argentina
French Business Leaders Decry Budget as Macron’s Pro-Enterprise Promise Undermined
Trump Claims Modi Pledged India Would End Russian Oil Imports Amid U.S. Tariff Pressure
Surging AI Startup Valuations Fuel Bubble Concerns Among Top Investors
Australian Punter Archie Wilson Tears Up During Nebraska Press Conference, Sparking Conversation on Male Vulnerability
Australia Confirms U.S. Access to Upgraded Submarine Shipyard Under AUKUS Deal
“Firepower” Promised for Ukraine as NATO Ministers Meet — But U.S. Tomahawks Remain Undecided
Brands Confront New Dilemma as Extremists Adopt Fashion Labels
The Sydney Sweeney and Jeans Storm: “The Outcome Surpassed Our Wildest Dreams”
Erika Kirk Delivers Moving Tribute at White House as Trump Awards Charlie Presidential Medal of Freedom
British Food Influencer ‘Big John’ Detained in Australia After Visa Dispute
ScamBodia: The Chinese Fraud Empire Shielded by Cambodia’s Ruling Elite
French PM Suspends Macron’s Pension Reform Until After 2027 in Bid to Stabilize Government
Orange, Bouygues and Free Make €17 Billion Bid for Drahi’s Altice France Telecom Assets
Dutch Government Seizes Chipmaker After U.S. Presses for Removal of Chinese CEO
Bessent Accuses China of Dragging Down Global Economy Amid New Trade Curbs
U.S. Revokes Visas of Foreign Nationals Who ‘Celebrated’ Charlie Kirk’s Assassination
AI and Cybersecurity at Forefront as GITEX Global 2025 Kicks Off in Dubai
×