Skip to main content

7 Million And Rising

Guardians of the Forest and Youth Unite Behind the Science

Location

USA

Released

October 2019

Duration

5:33

Tags
  • Activism
  • Beyond the films
  • Climate Change
  • Indigenous Peoples
  • Indigenous Solutions
  • USA
  • youth

The Climate Crisis is here and “change is coming whether you like it or not”

Across 2 days more than 7 million people around the world took to the streets to demand action on the climate crisis. The largest climate action in history.

In the lead up, indigenous youth from the Guardians of the Forest met with Greta Thunberg and other youth leaders in Washington D.C. They had a message for US politicians: “We need more action”

Delegates met Senators and members of Congress including Nancy Pelosi, Jeff Merkley, Raúl Grijalva, Sheldon Whitehouse and the teams of Elizabeth Warren and Kamala Harris before joining the House Hearing on Climate Change. Jamie Margolin, Co-Founder of Zero Hour called on uniting with indigenous activists in her testimony.

Youth activists spoke to the Committees on Climate Change and Natural Resources. Jasilyn Charger, youth leader of the Lakota Sioux people, demanded that we cannot talk about climate change without talking about the rights of indigenous peoples.

Two days later, Guardians of the Forest youth lead a 250 000 strong march through New York City with Global Strike for Climate. Four million took part globally, on the 27 September a further three million people marched.

“The Fight is collective, that’s why we are looking for thousands of youth because together we are really strong.” Artemisa Xakriabá

Read the full letter here. 

Related profiles

  • Profile

    Militza is President of the Emberá and Wounaan Youth Organization of Panama (OJEWP), created on April 21, 2001. OJEWP is made up of yo...

  • Profile

    Kynan Tegar is a young filmmaker. He is Dayak Iban from Sungai Utik, West Kalimantan. He is home schooled and makes films. Since finish...g.

  • Profile

    Dinamam is a Coordinator of the Articulation of the Indigenous Peoples of Brazil (APIB) and Legal Adviser to the Articulation of Indige...

  • Profile

    General Coordinator of the Global Alliance of Territorial Communities Shuar people