PUNE: Inspired by the ‘Fridays For Future’ campaign started by Greta Thunberg (16) in Sweden to protest against lack of action on climate crisis, Pooja Rathod (25), animal rights activist and student, organised a similar awareness drive, ‘Global Climate Strike’ in Pune.
On Friday, on Fergusson College Road, a few environmentalists, activists and students formed a chain and held placards with the message to create awareness regarding climate change. Greta Thunberg (16), who started Fridays For Future movement wherein thousands of schoolchildren from a hundred countries are staging a walkout from school as a protest against climate change was nominated for Noble Peace Prize recently.
Taking a cue from Greta, who says we should act as if the world is on fire and it is the truth as it is the time of crisis and it is important to act immediately, Pooja held this protest on Friday.
She said, “Why wait for 20 years to see how things will unfold? In fact we should immediately act for a better future.”
She said animal farming is one of the most important reasons for global warming and this awareness drive is her effort to impart this message to the masses.
Pradeep Raheja of Robin Hood Army, who participated in the drive, said there is lack of awareness at the individual level. He said, “It is important for like-minded people to come together and collectively create awareness among people for a better and safe future.”
Madhavi Kolte, activist and one of the participants said, “It is important to create awareness about the issue. I urge that more people should come together and we can continue this every Friday from now on.”
