Licypriya Kangujam kicks off Great October March 2019
Source: The Sangai Express
New Delhi, October 21 2019:
Eight-year-old climate activist from Manipur, Licypriya Kangujam kicked off the historic "Great October March 2019" today at India Gate, New Delhi with thousands of supporters.
Great October March is taking place in more than 70 countries from 21 � 27 October in over 1,000 locations for urgent action on climate change and also to enact the climate law.
Speaking to media persons, Licypriya Kangujam said that till today only 5 countries namely New Zealand, Australia, UK, Mexico & Peru have their legislation on climate change.
"We are marching to call on world leaders to enact the climate law as soon as possible so that it can regulate the emissions of greenhouse gases to save our planet and our future.
They must unite and act before it's too late," she asserted.
Alarmed by the air pollution of Delhi and felling of thousands of trees at Aarey forests, students and workers abandoned schools, shops and offices in nearly every corner of the Delhi, aiming to stop what they see as a looming environmental catastrophe.
Massive crowd overwhelmed the street of Raj Path, chanting "Save our planet!" while anticipating an address by Licypriya, an international child sensation who is travelling around the world for her environmental movement ahead of United Nations COP 25 at Chile.
Once she took the stage, the crowd chanted her name, then went silent to listen to her every word and as she paused between sentences, people erupted into applause.
"Age doesn't matter to make a difference.
Today, Government tries to stop our protest.
Instead of stopping us, they must stop climate change." the young activist lamented.
Demonstrators in Jorhat, Assam also raised a painting of Licypriya reading, "We support Licypriya".
In support of the campaign, a group of young people planted several tree saplings at Naharup Eco Garden Road.
"She's is an inspiration for millions of children of their generations," Delhi protester Sahil Kaushar (24) said, highlighting the role of young people in the international movement to reduce fossil fuels consumption.
A placard that reads "Air pollution is not a joke.
It will choke you," was raised by one of the protesters at Delhi.
"Make love, not CO2" signs were spotted in the protests.
Global warming caused by heat-trapping greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuels has already led to droughts and heat waves, melting glaciers, rising sea levels and floods, according to scientists.
"There is no Planet B," read a sign hoisted by a young girl in India Gate.
Licypriya will participate in the demonstration of the biggest rural climate strike of the World in Odisha on October 29.She is one of the youngest green activist of the world.