INSPIRED by Swedish teen Greta Thunberg’s global climate strike, a student group from Universiti Sains Malaysia staged a pro-environment demonstration outside their university this evening. 

Serikat Mahasiswa spokesman Izzuddin Azmi, 24, said there was no denying the effects of climate change. 

“The Earth is our home and it is our duty to protect it. But our elders have failed us in their promise to tackle the problem. 

“Youth and children, who will inherit the earth, will be inheriting the climate problem,” the physics student said during the demonstration. 

Izzudin said their demands to the Malaysian government included changing to a low carbon economy and rolling out climate-friendly mobility infrastructure. 

Other demands are for the government to build green, revitalised “sponge” cities; practise sustainable land use; upgrade transparent environmental governance; and empower the youth, who are concerned about the environment. 

The roadside demonstration had over 30 participants, mostly made up of USM students. They were joined by a few concerned citizens and local civil society leaders, including Khoo Salma Nasution of Penang Forum. 

They chanted “climate justice now”, “save the earth, the world and the environment” and “people power”.

Izzudin said he was happy with the turnout at the demonstration, as he and his friends had expected only about 10 people to turn up. 

The climate strike campaign was initiated by 16-year-old Thunberg, who on August 20 last year started the first school strike outside the Swedish parliament building.

Demanding that the Swedish government cut carbon emissions in accordance with the Paris Agreement, the teen sat outside the parliament every day during school hours for two weeks holding the sign “School Strike for the Climate”.

She reportedly said she would end her strike when her country started to reduce its annual carbon emissions by a dramatic 15%.

Thunberg later continued her solo protests on Fridays, which has now inspired students around the world to join her and which has earned her a Nobel Peace Price nomination. – March 15, 2019.