Thousands across Switzerland rally for climate action
Tens of thousands of protesters took part in youth-led climate strikes across Switzerland on Saturday. The movement demands action against climate change and global warming.
This content was published on
2 minutes
SDA-Keystone/ds
The largest demonstration took place in financial hub Zurich, where more than 15,000 people answered the call of the climate strike movement, according to organisers cited by Swiss news agency Keystone-SDA.
Demonstrations in Lausanne and the Swiss capital, Bern, drew more than 8,000 people each. Another 3,000 rallied in Geneva. Protests in the northeastern city of St Gallen and the central city of Lucerne drew 1,500 and 5,000 people respectively, according to organisers.
“The demands of the climate strike are ambitious, but necessary and feasible,” explained Jan Burckhardt, a high-school student from Bern. “It is purely a matter of will whether we listen to the voice of science or not.”
On Saturday morning, hundreds of demonstrators marched through the city centres of Aarau, Biel and Thun. Winterthur was another protest hub. Authorities in the city of Sion did not approve the climate demonstration.
Parents welcome
For the first time, the demonstrations were held on a Saturday rather than a Friday in a bid to allow working adults to participate. Parents were explicitly invited.
Demonstrators of all ages came out to lend support to what marks the fourth climate strike staged in Switzerland.
Tens of thousands of people throughout Switzerland, particularly in university towns, took part in the previous major event which was held on March 15. The movement has been driven by young people and school-age children, with many scientists and parents rallying behind them.
Basel, Olten and Delémont have declared a climate emergency. Canton Vaud has done the same.
The inspiration behind the school strike movement that’s bringing young people onto the streets all over Europe is Greta Thunberg.
The 16-year-old Swedish climate activist made her mark at the WEF 2019 in Davos, telling corporate executives: “I don’t want you to be hopeful, I want you to panic. I want you to feel the fear I feel every day.”
More
More
Practice what you preach
This content was published on
The inspiration behind the school strike movement that’s bringing young people onto the streets all over Europe, has arrived in Switzerland.
Swiss authorities announce cost-cutting in asylum sector
This content was published on
The government notably wants to improve integration into the labour force, particularly for people with protection status S.
Various leaders confirm participation at Ukraine peace conference
This content was published on
The presidents of Poland, Finland, and Latvia and the prime ministers of Spain and Belgium will be at the Swiss-hosted talks in mid-June.
This content was published on
In the winter season up to April 2024, railway and cable car operators ferried 3% more visitors compared to the previous winter, and 5% more than the five-year average.
Rhine flooding: Swiss to invest CHF1 billion with Austria
This content was published on
As part of an international agreement with Austria, the Swiss government wants to pump CHF1 billion ($1.1 billion) into flood protection measures along the Rhine over the next three decades.
Swiss government proposes CHF10 million UNRWA donation
This content was published on
After months of debate, Switzerland plans to give CHF10 million ($11 million) to the UN agency this year, rather than the CHF20 million initially foreseen.
Swiss study: insects mainly migrate at midday and dusk
This content was published on
A study led by the Swiss Ornithological Institute in canton Lucerne is helping to better understand the movement patterns of migratory insects.
Red Cross: 22 staff killed in Middle East since October
This content was published on
The Red Cross and Red Crescent network in Gaza and Israel has lost 22 staff members since last October, the Swiss Red Cross (SRC) said on Wednesday.
Dortmund’s Kobel is first Swiss goalie in Champions League final
This content was published on
Borussia Dortmund’s Gregor Kobel has achieved history by becoming the first Swiss goalkeeper to reach a Champion’s League final.
University students in Switzerland join Gaza protest wave
This content was published on
Pro-Palestinian activists occupied university buildings in Lausanne, Geneva and Zurich on Tuesday, widening the protest movement in the Alpine nation.
Youth demo demands ecology and equality of the Davos elite
This content was published on
Several hundred demonstrators, gathered by the youth wing of the Swiss social democratic party, protested in Davos on Thursday.
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.
Can Greta’s generation make a mark on Swiss politics?
This content was published on
Climate change protests spearheaded by a Swedish teen have energised Swiss youth. Can such political participation carry over into the elections?
This content was published on
Young people from schools and universities around Switzerland went on strike Friday to demand greater action to combat climate change.
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.