“On climate change, we often don't fully appreciate that it is a problem. We think it is a problem waiting to happen.” - Kofi Annan
A determined group of people who believe they can make a difference: Photo by Varsa Mahananda
I was looking out the window today when I saw this bird trying to build a nest with twigs. When I first noticed the bird, it held a piece of twig four times the size of its whole body and was trying to walk fast enough to build momentum to fly up to its nest on a nearby tree. It made multiple attempts to fly but the twig kept falling off given its weight. The bird wouldn’t lose hope. I kept watching the bird struggle for a long time, but after several attempts, it finally managed to get the twig up to its nest. Imagine my happiness at the bird’s success! But then again, it is an everyday struggle for the bird, while it was a one-time watch for me. The point being? We lose hope and give up so soon at the sight of a little struggle and start complaining. But look at the bird. It has no option but to persevere.
I saw a similar sight of perseverance at the Global Climate Strike held in Stockholm on the 19th of April, 2024. Our climate is getting hotter and we are starting to see some drastic changes to the planet which is neither good for us nor for our children. On an individual level, making any changes to the climate situation can seem too daunting and impossible to achieve. However, to the people who were part of the strike, this was not the case. They have this united belief that if they fight for this just cause, they will finally achieve what they aim: a cleaner and greener planet. Their hope and determination was contagious.
Climate enthusiasts who have been part of the global climate strike for the past many years: Photo by Varsa Mahananda
Although not a part of the actual strike, I did walk alongside them to observe how the strike was proceeding. I noticed a man with his little daughter (she must have been about 3) in a stroller participating in the strike. The little girl was cold (it was zero degrees) so the father covered her up with a little shawl. It would have been much easier to leave the group and take shelter from the cold and nobody would have missed them. But both father and child felt their presence was necessary in this fight for a better climate future. I was amazed at their perseverance in the same way the bird with the twig amazed me! They both believe they are an important part of the solution, and we need more people like them.
The father who fights for the future of his daughter: Photo by Varsa Mahananda
It was a two-kilometer walk in zero-degree temperature but the excitement and determination did not fall short. The sight of so many people with so many colorful banners and placards singing along to fight for a greener climate was extremely contagious. The walk began in Odenplan and ended at Sergels Torg in the heart of Stockholm where climate activists spoke about their fight against climate change for so many years, without fail, despite all odds.
One lady, Matilda Bergström, famously known as Rebel Mama, was even deemed a security risk and a threat to democracy by the government because of her constant fight to claim a better future for the children of today and tomorrow! She is a part of the Mothers’ Rebellion for Climate Justice, fighting for the future of the children, both her own, and of the world. Although most of the speeches were in Swedish, and very little in English, therefore difficult for me to understand, the energy of the whole ensemble was so high, it was almost electric! 
A short dialogue with Matilda Bergström: Photo by Varsa Mahananda
As an individual I might feel inconsequential and hopeless at the incapability to make a change, but you have to be there to experience the determination of these people to demand a change to believe that all hope is not lost yet. Just like the bird, we also have to start realizing that we have no option but to persevere. We need more and more people to participate in this cause so we save our planet, because after all, there is no planet B, and all of us have to live on this one and only mass of rock and water.
Learn more about the Global Climate Strike held in Stockholm last Friday:
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Thanks for sharing Varsa, it was an honour to share this experience with you!
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It's heartening to see individuals, like the father with his daughter, braving the cold to be part of the solution. 👨👧 Their actions inspire us to keep pushing forward despite the challenges. Let's continue to raise our voices and take action for a sustainable planet because there's no planet B. 🌿
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@george_kariuki I agree with you, our voices need to be heard and taken seriously because we don't have time left.
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These strikes and marches are so important. We often feel alone fighting against giants, but the strikes remind us that we are not alone and give us hope. Thanks for sharing how you experienced it!
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@marine_stephan I am glad I decided to attend it.
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@marine_stephan Together we can do it.