Saudi Press

Saudi Arabia and the world
Saturday, Apr 04, 2026

COP26 youth march: 'We don't have a choice'

COP26 youth march: 'We don't have a choice'

Thousands of young people are forgoing school on day six of the UN climate summit to show world leaders they expect action on the crisis.

Activist Greta Thunberg has headlined a youth march organised by the school strike movement Fridays for Future.

Young people from across the globe joined her on the procession from Kelvingrove Park to the city centre.

Some of them told us why.

Amy, 14, from Darnley
Graham Paisley and daughter Amy, 14, are in Glasgow for the march


Graham Paisley and his daughter Amy were among those gathering in Kelvingrove Park, in Glasgow's west end, ahead of the march.

Mr Paisley, 49, said: "I am here for Amy. I think it is really important for her to have a view of what is happening in the world.

"Climate change is going to have a big impact on our lives and things will definitely get worse if we don't do anything about it."

The businessman only found out about the demonstration when S4 pupil Amy, 14, mentioned it on Monday.

They travelled from Darnley, Glasgow, to take part in what will be their first protest.

Amy said: "If someone is going to get something done about it then it is going to be young people as we are going to have to live with it.

"I hope today will make governments realise that it is something people care about.

"They need to do something about it."

April Hamilton and baby Juneau
A smiling Juneau made it to her first protest before her first birthday


April travelled to George Square from Paisley, Renfrewshire, for the rally with her 11-month-old daughter Juneau.

The teacher said: "It is too important not to be here as there hasn't been anything like this in the city before.

"I worry about what the world will be like when my daughter is older. What animals will be extinct?

"Will she see the beauty of Scotland as I saw it growing up?"

Ms Hamilton, 33, hopes the outcome of COP26 will be more than just words.

She is looking forward to seeing climate activist Greta Thunberg, whom she said is an incredible role model for her daughter.

Ms Hamilton added: "I think it is amazing that one person can have such an impact. She hasn't changed her tune and she hasn't let fame get to her head.

"She is just one girl who cares about the world."

Patrick Klein and Philip, 10

Patrick Klein brought his son Philip to his first protest

Patrick Klein is on the march with wife Julia and son Philip.

The software engineer is originally from Luxembourg but has lived in Glasgow for 20 years.

Mr Klein, 50, said: "I think it is important to make the case for climate change and to send a message to politicians that they need to take action."

He said he had been disappointed with what had been announced at COP26 so far as he believed it did not go far enough.

Among the measures Mr Klein would like to see are coal consigned to history and an end to combustion engines in cars before 2030.

Philip, 10, said: "I came here today because I want my future to to be good and I want everyone else's future to be good."

Prof Kathryn Elmer and Keifer, 10
Prof Kathryn Elmer, with her son Keifer, thinks it is time for aggressive choices


Glasgow University biology Professor Kathryn Elmer is attending the march with her son Keifer.

She said: "There has been many, many years of scepticism and talk but now is the time to make some aggressive choices.

"We can't just sit here and watch the planet burn."

Prof Elmer, who is originally from Canada, wants the UK to stand up and be a global leader on climate change.

Son Keifer, 10, said: "Not a lot of adults are listening to young people, like Greta Thunberg.

"I think it is time for for all ages to take action."

Evelyn Acham, Ugandan activist
Evelyn Acham campaigns for the Rise Up movement in Uganda


Evelyn Acham, a Ugandan activist with the Rise Up movement in Africa, said some young people had become "full-time activists" against climate change, giving up education and work due to the urgency of the crisis.

Ms Acham told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme the situation was so urgent that they had abandoned other parts of their lives to push for action.

She said: "The young people going out there to march gives us hope.

"The future belongs to those young people, because they still have a lot of time, they haven't achieved a lot, but the older generation have already achieved so much and (climate change) probably won't be so much their problem.

"But young people still have work to do, they still have school to do, they have a future to build, so this is our concern."

She added: "Many young people have given up school to become full-time activists, some have given up work, some have given up going for a masters degree, just because they're seeing the urgency of this."

She said young people continued to take to the streets across the world because "we do not have a choice".

Ruth and Dora
Ruth Ewan attended the rally with her daughter Peggy and pet dog Dora.


Ruth Ewan is in George Square for the rally with her daughter Peggy - who made a special sign for their pet lurcher, Dora.

The artist said: "I want my daughter to think about what is happening to the world and to engage with the struggle for climate justice."

Ms Ewan, 40, is also concerned about rising inequality and hopes the UN climate conference will have a positive impact across the globe.

She added: "I want to see more action and less blah blah blah.

"I am excited that my daughter will get to see Greta today as she is an amazing young female role model."

Anne Thom and Ruby, 11
Ruby is worried for her own children when she grows up


Ruby has been allowed to miss school to attend her first ever march - on her birthday.

She said: "I wanted to come here on my birthday to help everyone's voices get heard on climate change.

"I'm worried if I have any children they might not know what a polar bear is."

Newsletter

Related Articles

Saudi Press
0:00
0:00
Close
Saudi Arabia Introduces Flexible Solutions for Expired Visas Amid Regional Disruptions
Saudi Arabia’s Online Car Market Accelerates with AI Pricing and Fully Digital Buying Experience
Saudi Arabia Reassesses Defence Strategy as Iranian Drone Threat Drives Shift in Military Partnerships
Drone Strikes Target Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Bahrain as Regional Conflict Intensifies
Japan and Saudi Arabia Align Efforts to Ease Rising Tensions with Iran
Saudi Crown Prince and Italy’s Meloni Strengthen Strategic Ties in High-Level Talks
SpaceX Explores Potential Five Billion Dollar Investment from Saudi Sovereign Wealth Fund Ahead of IPO
Saudi Arabia Lifts Key Import Barriers to Expand Access for U.S. Beef Exports
Saudi Arabia Enforces Strict Travel Penalties for Visits to Restricted Countries
Italy’s Meloni Embarks on Strategic Gulf Tour to Address Energy Security and Regional Stability
Saudi Film Festival Rescheduled to Summer as Regional Tensions Continue
Saudi Arabia Reports Forty Two Point Six Billion Dollars in Foreign Tourist Spending in 2025
Saudi Crown Prince and Russian President Hold Strategic Call on Escalating Regional Crisis
Saudi Arabia Advances Rail Network as Strategic Alternative to Strait of Hormuz Shipping Route
Ruanyun Edai Launches Saudi Arabia Hub With Forecast of Ten Percent Revenue Growth
Greek Defence Minister Visits Troops in Saudi Arabia Following Successful Missile Interception
Saudi Arabia Expands Global Strategy With Focus on African Critical Minerals
SpaceX Explores Potential Five Billion Dollar Investment From Saudi Fund Ahead of Possible IPO
US Central Command Dismisses Iranian Claim of Mass Casualties Among American Personnel in Saudi Arabia
Co-Diagnostics to Establish Molecular Diagnostics Facility in Saudi Arabia Through Joint Venture
Trump Engages Saudi Crown Prince in Talks on Potential Iran Ceasefire
Saudi Arabia’s Sadara Suspends Operations as Supply Chain Disruptions Intensify
Saudi Arabia Accelerates Energy Shift by Trading Oil Revenues for Battery Investments
Saudi Arabia Introduces Flexible Options for Expired Visas Amid Regional Disruptions
Online Narratives Surge as Iran–US Tensions Spill Into Digital Arena Following Trump Remarks
Saudi Arabia Urges Trump to Seize Strategic Moment as UAE Weighs Ground Deployment
Saudi Arabia Redirects Nearly One Million Barrels of Oil Daily Away from Strait of Hormuz
Saudi Arabia Carries Out Execution of Businessman Linked to 2011 Qatif Unrest
Ukraine–Saudi Defense Pact Signals Rising Demand for Battlefield Expertise
Saudi Arabia Balances Diplomacy and Defense Preparedness Amid Iran Conflict
Iran Conflict Reshapes Strategic Calculations in U.S.-Saudi Relations
Saudi Arabia Voices Caution as Trump’s Assertive War Strategy Reshapes Regional Dynamics
Saudi Arabia Updates Travel Advisory as Regional Conflict Intensifies
Saudi Arabia’s Sadara Suspends Petrochemical Production as Conflict Disrupts Operations
Iran Urges Saudi Arabia to Remove US Forces Amid Escalating Regional Tensions
Gulf Allies Urge Trump to Sustain Campaign Until Iran Is Fully Defeated
Saudi Arabia Unveils Strategic Rail Freight Corridors Connecting Gulf Ports to Jordan
Saudi Arabia Intercepts Drones and Ballistic Missiles in Major Defensive Operation
Houthi Escalation Opens New Front in Expanding Iran-Linked Conflict
Major Saudi Chemical Plant Halts Operations Amid Regional Conflict Disruptions
Strike on US Radar Aircraft in Saudi Arabia Signals Escalating Threat Capabilities
US Citizens in Saudi Arabia Advised to Shelter Indoors Amid Rising Regional Tensions
How Britain’s Prime Minister Controls U.S. Bomber Access in Escalating Iran Conflict
Saudi Arabia Urges Trump to Lead Strategic Reset in Middle East as UAE Weighs Ground Role
Reed Smith Expands Saudi Presence with Senior Corporate Appointments
Trump Announces Approval of F-35 Fighter Jet Sale to Saudi Arabia
BBC Faces Scrutiny Over Allegations of Paid Content Linked to Saudi Arabia
Ukraine Secures Defense Agreements with Qatar and Saudi Arabia as UAE Talks Advance
Oil Prices Surge as Saudi Arabia Adjusts Supply Amid Escalating Iran Tensions
Saudi Arabia Condemns Attacks on Kurdistan Leaders and Reaffirms Backing for Iraq’s Stability
×