[Legionas]

THE AUNISTRIAN TIMES

CLIMATE PROTESTS ORGANIZED NATIONWIDE

[floatright]By Austin Martinson[/floatright]


Several large climate change protests took place in several major cities
The Green Party of Legionas, in partnership with the Lauchenoirian environmentalist group, Watchdogs of Our Earth, organized a series of climate protests in the cities of Aunistria, Saxinavre, Bayview, Wasedron, Verdesia, Moense and Limprostanz. Tens of thousands of protesters gathered in the streets, almost grinding most vehicular traffic to a halt. Most protesters were peaceful, although small incidents of violence and looting were noted in Limprostanz and Wasedron. Smaller protests were also noted in the Alexandros Mountains and the Oppenheimer Highlands, with a few thousand protesters gathering at the adjacent towns, demanding that the natural flora and fauna in the areas be protected forthwith.

The protest organizers have recently published a list of five demands that they want the governments of the world to follow which included, among other things; Immediate planning of a climate conference to take place this year, Commitment to net zero carbon emissions by 2025, Halting all purchases of fossil fuels from abroad, Investing in renewable energy and public transport , and the legal protection of all ancient forests.

Other such protests have been seen in other IDU naions such as Lauchenoiria, which saw the most radical protests, Xiomera, Laeral, Libertas Omnium Maximus, Eiria, Tsiba and Millintica. Whether this global action solves the problem that the protesters have identified — arresting greenhouse gas emissions to stave off a climate catastrophe — now depends on how effectively climate advocates can turn the momentum into sustained political pressure on governments and companies that produce those emissions.

Prime Minister Moretti, as well as several members of his cabinet joined the protests in Aunistria, standing side by side and interacting with protesters. The Prime Minister was able to address the approximately 63,000 protesters at Freedom Gardens, thanking them for their resolve and bravery in shedding light to a serious issue in the world. He also chastised unnamed members of the legislature who, he noted as having steadfastly fought his administration's attempts at passing various regulatory bills which would have aided in the fight to mitigate the effects of climate change. He also cautioned various industrial leaders who he noted as lobbyists for decreased industrial regulations, pledging to redouble his administration's efforts to ensure that they would comply with regulations. He finished his address by raising his own banner which read "System change, not climate change!"

While it was impossible to determine exactly how many people protested worldwide, a preliminary analysis by The Aunistrian Times found several cities had turnouts in the range of 100,000 and many more in the tens of thousands. Analysts have noted that a particular demographic, the youth, have taken the reins in fighting climate change, with, in Legionas especially, youth coming out for the first time en masse to demonstrate and demand climate action.

“In no way is today's protests the end goal but only a catalyst for future larger mobilization,” said Lillian Baines, 16, a high school student in Moense. “We will continue to strike, for the sake of our planet.”

Erich Andersen, 15, said he is protesting because he's angry that political leaders were complacent to the risks of global warming.

"It's crazy; the people who should be bringing change in the world are not," he said. "The old people who have power are not using their power, and the young people who don't have it can only speak up."

Lukas Schneider, head of the Green Party and leader of Legionas' climate protests, noted that the struggle was far from being won and significant pressure would be thrown back at the protesters by large corporations. He, nevertheless, appreciated the fact that the message was beginning to be put across.

An official statement from King Alexander is expected to be broadcast in the next few days, as well as one from the Prime Minister and President Muller ahead of the State Opening of Parliament, with the recent protests rumored to be one of the top agendas.