Several Swiss cities on Friday played host to a coordinated climate strike by students, who were demonstrating against perceived inaction on global warming. Millions of young people will take part in similar strikes in an array of countries around the world this weekend.
At least 30 towns and citiesExternal link across Switzerland saw young people empty out of schools to send their message to politicians and business leaders.
Police estimated around 10,000 people were taking part in Lausanne, in the French-speaking part of the country, with almost 2,000 in Neuchâtel and 5,000 in Geneva. The demonstrators included many adults accompanying children. In Lucerne, central Switzerland, some 1,500 people attended the rally, while organisers estimated 12,000 took part in Zurich, with several thousands turning out in the capital, Bern and in Basel.
swissinfo.ch followed a part of the demonstration in Bern.
External Content
Well over 1,000 school pupils took part in a climate strike in various Swiss regions in December. In February the numbers swelled to tens of thousands as people of all ages joined students in 13 towns and cities. This was followed by more protests earlier this month.
At the United Nations climate change conference in Paris four years ago countries pledged to work to limit the rise in global temperature to two degrees Celsius. But Swiss legislators are divided on what measures should be adopted to meet Switzerland’s pledge.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday at a meeting of the United Nations Environment Programme in Nairobi, Swiss Environment Minister Simonetta Sommaruga said she is listening to the voices of protesters. “We must give answers now, because climate change has also arrived in Switzerland,” she said.
A survey of 2,000 young people by the Blick newspaper, published on Monday, found that two thirds of respondents wanted the government to take urgent radical action to combat global warming. But the survey found differing opinions on how this should be done.
More
Opinion
More
Climate strikes: why we scientists are getting involved
This content was published on
Young people are going on a climate strike and researchers are supporting their cause. A climate scientist from the ETH Zurich examines the movement.
Has your continent reached its peak or is there still potential for economic growth?
Some regions of the world are on an upward trajectory with the promise of a steadily improving future. Where do you live? And in which direction is your region or continent developing?
This content was published on
There is no longer any danger of rockfall or landslide on the roads below the Graubünden village of Brienz, authorities say.
This content was published on
Europe’s biggest freshwater fish tastes better than its reputation, say fishermen in the French-speaking west of Switzerland.
Swiss authorities keep close eye on West Nile fever in Italy
This content was published on
Authorities are keeping a close eye on the situation after the death toll in Italy due to the disease has risen to seven.
Bern biodiversity project brings boost for forest bees
This content was published on
More sunlit areas in forests can boost the number of wild bees – both in overall terms and in terms of species diversity.
Swiss president kicks off National Day celebrations on Rütli meadow
This content was published on
Several hundred people gathered on the Rütli in central Switzerland at midday on Friday to celebrate the national Swiss holiday, before Karin Keller-Sutter addressed the crowd.
US sets deadline for Novartis and other pharma firms to lower prices
This content was published on
US President Donald Trump says he has sent letters to Swiss giant Novartis and other pharma firms calling for lower drug prices in the United States – or face retaliation.
Swiss youth undecided about how to tackle climate change
This content was published on
Young Swiss want politicians to take radical measures to counter climate change, but they shy away from concrete ideas a survey has found.
This content was published on
Following the example of Greta Thunberg, Swiss students and pupils demonstrated against climate change in several big cities on the same day.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.