Fridays for Future has grown from a solo protest by Greta Thunberg into a global youth climate movement demanding urgent action on climate change.
The movement began in August 2018 when 15-year-old Thunberg started protesting outside the Swedish Parliament every Friday instead of attending school. Her actions quickly inspired students worldwide, leading to the formation of Fridays for Future International, which now coordinates climate strikes and actions across more than 150 countries. The movement's core Fridays for Future goals include limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, ensuring climate justice and equity, and pressuring governments to honor their Paris Agreement commitments.
Despite facing Fridays for Future criticism regarding students missing school and questions about their impact, the movement has achieved significant Fridays for Future Erfolge (successes). They've influenced public discourse, pushed climate change higher on political agendas, and mobilized millions of people for Global Climate Strike 2024 events. Fridays for Future Deutschland has been particularly active, organizing some of the largest climate protests in history. The movement maintains a strong presence through Fridays for Future International Instagram and other social media platforms, where they share educational content and coordinate actions. While some question their methods, their influence on climate policy discussions and public awareness is undeniable. Looking ahead to Fridays for Future 2024, the movement continues to evolve, focusing on intersectional environmentalism and pushing for systemic changes to address the climate crisis. Key Fridays for Future Personen (people) within the movement have emerged as influential voices in climate activism, speaking at international forums and engaging with world leaders to demand meaningful climate action.