Why should we listen to Abhirami and her Climate Revolutionaries?
Abhirami Manohar and her Climate Revolutionaries are the first to conduct a Global Climate Strike in Kerala. They were inspired by Swedish environmental activist Great Thunberg who skipped her classes on Fridays to sit in front of the Swedish Parliament demanding action against Climate Change and to make sure they adhere to Paris Agreement signed by 195 countries.
What is Global Climate Strike?
Global Climate Stike is a call from Greta Thunberg to all students across the world to skip their classes and to voice their concern on climate change. Students across 150 countries are set to participate in the Global Climate Strike from September 20th to September 27th. It also marks as an awareness campaign to spread #FridaysforFuture initiative where students protest against the authorities who fail to implement measures to protect the environment by skipping classes and sitting in front of government offices.
Who is Abhirami Manohar?
Abhirami Manohar is a class 11th grade student from Kendriya Vidyalaya, Kadavanthra, Kochi. Four months ago she was inspired by the words of Greta Thunberg from Sweden and started the group Climate Revolutionaries. Her classmates joined her for the cause and they spoke to various environmental activists in the state including C R Neelakandan who rendered them unconditional support to their initiatives. Their parents also supported them wholeheartedly. Abhirami says, “If you could support us, please do support us by following our Instagram page ClimateRevolutionary.India and you can message us about your support and DM us to join our cause.”
What are their demands?
Rohit, Pranav and Anand members of Climate Revolutionary group spoke to OnManorama and said, “Ban single-use plastics, implement zero waster management, save the Western Ghats and stop climate change.” All of them came together to support Abhirami when she pitched the idea of Global Climate Strike.
Where did they protest?
Members of Climate Revolutionary Group collected signatures from everyone who was present at Dubar Hall Ground, Kochi. They also undertook a march demanding end to plastics, asking the authorities to listen to them. Arsha said, “First we need to create awareness on climate change, most people do not understand the gravity of the situation.” Mahita added, “We have been learning about Global Warming for a long time in our schools, but we never realised it was severe until now.” Shreya says, “ Kochi needs to know, Kerala needs to know and India should know, we are doing our best to spread the message.”
Why should we listen?
Experts who spoke during the programme said, the very ground the students chose to protest would not exist by 2030 due to a rise in water levels. Indonesia is already looking to find a place to shift their capital due to the fear of flooding. There are rampant climatic events all throughout the world and yet the governments are still providing the corporates to purge our natural resources.
The students showed enthusiasm and passion throughout the event which won them accolades from the senior-most members of the society. Dr. V S Vijayan, a member of Gadgil Committee and Honorary Chairman of Salim Ali foundation pledged full support to the student community and to Abhirami Manohar. The event was attended by M K Sanu Master, C R Neelkandan, Rashmi Satheesh, Fr. Dr. Prasant Palakkappilly and other eminent personalities.
