At least 7,000 people—many of them young—attended the Boston Climate Strike, which started at City Hall Plaza and ended at the Massachusetts State House. PAULA CHAMPAGNE
"We’re here for our children and all children across the world who need clean air, water, and a livable climate." —Jessica Garrett, Mothers Out Front. PAULA CHAMPAGNE
"I think climate change is the defining challenge of our lifetime, and AMC has such a strong record of conservation." —Katie Blair, AMC member. PAULA CHAMPAGNE
"I’m striking because I work in the environment industry, and it’s not great that our administration doesn’t care about the climate." —Eben Pendleton, AMC member. PAULA CHAMPAGNE
"I feel like we really need to make more people aware of what’s going on right now with the planet." —Wendy, Brandeis University student. PAULA CHAMPAGNE
"The future is not for some people. It’s for all of us." —Neha Bazaj, MIT graduate student. PAULA CHAMPAGNE
"I study climate adaptation and change and its affect on communities, so I am here today because I think there are communities feeling the impact now." —Osamu Kumasaka, MIT graduate student and AMC member. PAULA CHAMPAGNE
"We are indebted to Greta [Thunberg, 16, of Sweden, who founded the Global Climate Strike], who has ignited movements around the world with composure, persistence, and science on her side." —Abigail Bliss, MIT graduate student and AMC member. PAULA CHAMPAGNE
"I’m striking to end the involvement of fossil fuels in the government. We’re also here to support the Green New Deal. We’re here to support each other and everyone else." —Hannah Sinclair, AMC member and member of the Boston Sunrise Movement. PAULA CHAMPAGNE
Children were front and center at the Plymouth, N.H., Climate Strike, which drew more than 800 from the North Country and beyond. KELLEIGH WELCH
"This issue affects all ages, and our government doesn’t pay attention to young people. If they see these strikes with all ages here, maybe that will help get out the message.” —Jane Clay, Plymouth, N.H. KELLEIGH WELCH
"I’m striking because my home is burning. I’m here for my future grandkids, for a better tomorrow. I think we’re all here today to fight for that.” —Kyle Orgel, environmental science major at Plymouth State University from Los Angeles. KELLEIGH WELCH
“Younger people can do big things. They need to know that." —Gretchen Draper (left), New Hampton, N.H. "We have to do what we can to improve the future for our grandkids. That’s why I’ve got to be here.” —Rick Vandpoll (right), Sandwich, N.H. KELLEIGH WELCH
“I’m from Indonesia, and our capital city, my hometown, is sinking. I’m trying to get a message out there." —Dina Hermawan, student at New Hampton School from Jakarta, Indonesia. KELLEIGH WELCH
“I’m very concerned with what is going on in our government, and I’m not a fan of the policies that are coming out of it. It’s important for lawmakers to pay attention to climate change.” —Carol Raymond, Somerton, N.H.
“I’ll support any effort to fight climate change. It’s frustrating. It’s pissing me off. Sorry I’m getting angry—but all of these environmental problems were created by man and we need to take that seriously.” —Gregg Sarmanian (right), Plymouth, N.H. KELLEIGH WELCH
"I remember learning about animals in school when I was younger, and now many of those animals are endangered or extinct. They may not be around for my kids.” —Maria Bromfield, Marlborough, Mass. KELLEIGH WELCH
“We’re here because of the emergency we have with our planet, obviously, and because of the denial from our politicians. Things need to start changing immediately.” —Sarah Merrill (left) and her mother, Paula Merrill, Plymouth, N.H. KELLEIGH WELCH
An estimated 2,000 people assembled in front of City Hall at the Portland, Maine, Climate Strike. JENNIFER WEHUNT
“I want to make a difference. I want to have a voice. Now that I’m legal voting age, I think it’s important to come to places where I can make a difference.” —Grace Soares, 18, Windham, Maine, who attended the Portland, Maine, Climate Strike. JENNIFER WEHUNT
“I really want to help make change. In econ class, we saw Greta [Thunberg, the 16-year-old Swedish youth activist who testified before U.S. Congress] on TV, and if you want to make change, you have to go out and do it.” —Kerry Winger, 15, Scarborough, Maine. JENNIFER WEHUNT
“I came here because I’m a new, proud member of the Sunrise movement, but I’ve been involved in climate justice activism since I was 9. My main focus is water. In my town, Nestle has unprecedented access to Poland Spring water. Climate change causes water shortages, with more droughts, more fighting over access to water. Privatizing water is not the solution, especially for private profit.” —Luke Sekera-Flanders, 16, Fryeburg, Maine. JENNIFER WEHUNT
"In 2020, the youth vote is going to be crucial. And I think they have the right ideas.” —Nicole d'Entremont (right), 76, who, with Rhonda Berg (left), 65, is launching a website to encourage young voting-age Americans to register. JENNIFER WEHUNT
“We’re here in solidarity for climate change and climate action.” —Ana Courtney, 40, with daughters Sage and Sophia, both almost 3, Portland, Maine. JENNIFER WEHUNT
“I’m here to protest climate change and to make the world a better place.” —Saeid Abdullah, 15, Portland, Maine. JENNIFER WEHUNT
“Climate change isn’t a problem we can ignore.” —Johana Rivera (left), 16. "I don't want my [future] kids to die." —Sophia Tuschinsky (right), 16. Both are from Portland, Maine. JENNIFER WEHUNT
“I want to get him started early, including him on things like this so he knows they matter. With a little one, I’m thinking about whether there’s even going to be an Earth.” — Jennie Ferrare, 30, with son Leo, 14 months, Portland, Maine. JENNIFER WEHUNT
They’re not gonna take it anymore.
Inspired by the actions of the 16-year-old Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg, an estimated 4 million young people and their allies in 185 countries are marching out of their schools, offices, and homes, demanding immediate action to slow the effects of climate change. On Friday, September 20, AMC Outdoors reporters fanned out across AMC’s region for the centerpiece event in the eight-day-long Global Climate Strike, interviewing some of the more than 7,000 climate activists in Boston, Mass.; 800 in Plymouth, N.H.; and 2,000 in Portland, Maine, to hear why strikers attended and why they believe lawmakers should take immediate action on environmental crises.
