London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Friday, Jun 20, 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
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
FBI and Senate Investigate Allegations of Chinese Plot to Influence the 2020 Election in Biden’s Favor Using Fake U.S. Driver’s Licenses
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
Plans to Sell Dutch Embassy in Bangkok Face Local Opposition
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump's $5 Million 'Trump Card' Visa Program Draws Nearly 70,000 Applicants
DGCA Finds No Major Safety Concerns in Air India's Boeing 787 Fleet
Airlines Reroute Flights Amid Expanding Middle East Conflict Zones
Elon Musk's xAI Seeks $9.3 Billion in Funding Amid AI Expansion
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Taiwan Imposes Export Ban on Chips to Huawei and SMIC
Israel has just announced plans to strike Tehran again, and in response, Trump has urged people to evacuate
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Juncker Criticizes EU Inaction on Trump Tariffs
EU Proposes Ban on New Russian Gas Contracts
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
UK Home Secretary Apologizes Over Child Grooming Failures
Trump Organization Launches 5G Mobile Network and Golden Handset
Towcester Hosts 2025 English Greyhound Derby Amid Industry Scrutiny
Gary Oldman and David Beckham Knighted in King's Birthday Honours
Over 30,000 Lightning Strikes Recorded Across UK During Overnight Storms
Princess of Wales Returns to Public Duties at Trooping the Colour
Red Arrows Use Sustainable Fuel in Historic Trooping the Colour Flypast
Former Welsh First Minister Addresses Unionist Concerns Over Irish Language
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
France Bars Israeli Arms Companies from Paris Defense Expo
King Charles Leads Tribute to Air India Crash Victims at Trooping the Colour
Jack Pitchford Embarks on 200-Mile Walk to Support Stem Cell Charity
Surrey Hikers Take on Challenge of Climbing 11 Peaks in a Single Day
UK Deploys RAF Jets to Middle East Amid Israel-Iran Tensions
Two Skydivers Die in 'Tragic Accident' at Devon Airfield
Sainsbury's and Morrisons Accused of Displaying Prohibited Tobacco Ads
UK Launches National Inquiry into Grooming Gangs
Families Seek Closure After Air India Crash
Gold Emerges as Global Safe Haven Amid Uncertainty
Trump Reports $57 Million Earnings from Crypto Venture
Trump's Military Parade Sparks Concerns Over Authoritarianism
Nationwide 'No Kings' Protests Challenge Trump's Leadership
UK Deploys Jets to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions
Trump's Anti-War Stance Tested Amid Israel-Iran Conflict
Germany Holds First Veterans Celebration Since WWII
U.S. Health Secretary Dismisses CDC Vaccine Advisory Committee
Minnesota Lawmaker Melissa Hortman and Husband Killed in Targeted Attack; Senator John Hoffman and Wife Injured
Exiled Iranian Prince Reza Pahlavi Urges Overthrow of Khamenei Regime
×