I was featured in National Geographic kids magazine “hero of the month”.
I’m not a hero, I just have support to help me do what I do. Some kids can’t strike but do so much in their lives to make a difference.
That’s what a hero is, doing what needs to be done when no one’s watching.
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šāš¼ Don’t give up! .
Today I am now 10. I started being interested in Climate issues when i was 9. I have always loved nature, but it was a geography lesson that snowballed into learning about what is happening to the planet. So a year has passed and still no action. Mum gave me the echoice of what i wanted to do on my birthday and I chose to strike – because the planet is more important than me.
And it rained – all day. Only stopping when we finished our strike – but I finally got to use my protest umbrella.
AT first I was a sad to see how few came to the strike yesterday. Its like each month, less and less people have been turning up, but then i looked around and thought it doesn’t matter. We are here and we care. Others might be busy with school, college and work, so we’ll stand for them. And we were still powerful even though we were small on numbers.
So the rain was so bad it got through the protector and the ink ran on my speech but I did it.
And what was even more special was seeing friends I have made through the strikes and Fridays for future on my birthday!
These guys are all legends!
Speech from today – for those who asked who are hard of hearing:
Hello my name is Lillia and I am 10 years old!
Today is my Birthday!!
Its been nearly 6 months since I joined the Fridays for Future group here in Manchester which means Iāve already spent 5% of my life waiting for those in power to make changes to ensure our future.
Iāve seen the first School Strike here in February, and each of the strikes since. Extinction Rebellion Shut down London. And seen dedicated people each week fighting for all of our futures.
To them I say a massive thank you!!
Especially for giving me hope for the future.
Iāve seen The UK become the first country in the world to declare a Climate Emergency, and then set a date to be carbon neutral that their idea of an emergency is a joke!
Manchesterās Mayor come here and spoke saying he would help us to fight for a better future for us children. And then nothing!! It was just words. It made him look good that was it.
I was there when Manchester declared a climate emergency, and then Bury and Salford also declare one and Oldham declare their version of a Green New Deal.
To them I say stop treating us like we are stupid. Your words do not match your actions.
This is supposed to be an EMERGENCY!!
STOP Green washing!!!
We have 5 years to stop us from going over the next tipping point.
STOP making promises you donāt mean!
We need bravery.
We need radical action.
We need big business and government to put climate breakdown as their top priority.
We need councillors and politicians to do their job – to represent the voice of the people.
We are the People!!
We are that voice!!
Every voice here matters!!
Our voices can and WILL make the difference and bring about change. We have to stay strong, Keep shouting! Keep messaging, tweeting! Keep writing your MPs! Keep asking Questions of everything they say and do!
Today I really wanted to just be a kid, open my presents and not have to think about the future which scares me. Instead Iām here with you having to fight and worrying about the problems that lie ahead of us.
Thank you for standing beside me! For making me feel a little more hopeful!
To those in power – in case you donāt know what an emergency means I looked it up for you.
An Emergency: a serious, unexpected, and often dangerous situation requiring immediate action.
Stop putting greed and money before all of our lives and Act!!
Thank you!
Fridays Strike was amazing. I felt so much positive energy that it helped me stay calm and I wasn’t nervous getting up to speak. I didn’t write a speech this time
I just wanted to say what ever I felt at the time.
There were so many good speakers and poets. Mum got lots of videos of them so I could listen later on. I posted them in my twitter account so others could hear them too because young people’s voices matter, and we need to be heard but mostly listened to.
I was really Surprised when the Mayor for Manchester Andy Burnham turned up. As part of my activism mum has been helping me write letters and tweet MPs as well as Andy Burnham but most have been ignored or patronising responses.
Yes I do know what that word means. Adults do it a lot to kids.
What he was saying sounded good, he said Greater Manchester would never support fracking, but what I’ve learnt is that politicians say things and do – not alot. So I wanted him to say her help us and if he did that publicly maybe he would actually stick to his word.
I felt very nervous but mum said it might be my only opportunity to be this close to him ever and speak to him, so I decided to just do it.
I don’t know if he’ll stick to his promise, but I really hope he does because Manchester when it comes to pollution is not what I thought it was.
Over 2000 deaths linked to air pollution in 2018. My oldest sister has asthma, which is getting worse.
And this past month I’ve learnt that Manchester doesn’t count the carbon emmissions from the airport in its figures. Which means they are lieing about their true carbon foot print.
Like I said we can’t give up. We have to keep going. The strike was fantastic . The march was amazing and I brought my mega phone again to chant messages and met new friends and it has helped me see that there are so many that think like me and it’s given me another boost to keep going.
Especially because I’m alright right now, but out there, there are children like me and we can’t stop until there is justice for all.
Activism art by Fabiah Chowdhury. @fabihachowdhury5
The British Government declared a Climate Emergency. The First to do it. But they’re still not acting like it is one.
Then they issued a report with all these changes to Carbon emissions etc with for 2050.
2050!!!
What is wrong with them?
We have just over 10 years until tipping point.
They’re not getting it.
We can’t give up!
Big thank you to Kel Nguyen for spreading awareness. I enjoyed being interviewed last week at the Fridays for Future protest in Manchester. You can see my interview below and read about our climate concerns and why we are protesting in Manchester.
Full post with all interviews.
Video by: Kel Nguyen
I felt so happy yesterday for the support that was shown during the strike, and at how many people attended, especially because it was the half term holidays. This was my 13th week of protest and it has only made me more determined to keep going, and keep striking.
I was shy at first when we first arrived because I don’t do well in new situations, I get very nervous and a little anxious. So I sat near to where the youth speakers were and breathed deeply before I asked them if I could sing.
Although I was nervous, if you want to speak out at a strike, do a speech, poem, sing etc – don’t let fear stop you. Just do it. People need to hear what you have to say too. It is what YOU feel is important, and it matters!
I was nervous singing as well as chanting during the march part of the strike.
At first when I started chanting no one joined in, but gradually people started to and then we were all chanting together. It made me feel so excited and much more part of the whole strike and really changed the atmosphere. Even people on the streets as we passed clapped, on the street and in their cars. People came out of work/buildings to clap and cheer us on. It made me feel so good to have their support.
We did do a sit down protest too. We blocked off one of the main roads in Manchester for 10 minutes. The older youth strikers had organised this all with the police, so they were there to support us and make sure we stayed safe as we walked through traffic and I thanked them as we walked past and at the end of the strike.
I think this strike was a great success, even though my throat hurt from all the chanting š
The next big strike will be on the 24th May. I will be in Manchester St Peters Square 12- 2pm again. you can find out where your local strike in the UK might be in this link.
There is also a families group that meet before at 11am for those with young children from birth. Rise Up Families Facebook Group!
If you cannot make a strike you can always Tweet your local MP. I Tweet mine every Friday. OR write them a letter. You can do that by using this link which makes it really easy to find out who your local MP is and write to the
I really hope you can make the next strike.
I will be back at the Fridays for Future Protest outside Manchester Town Hall next week as usual.
I did an interview with Manchester Climate Monthly. The first question had me thinking about how long I had been striking and was surprised to see that today is my 13th week and my 3rd big strike.
Here’s a part of my answer to the first question.
Which of the strikes have you been on? What was your favourite thing about them?
You can read the rest of the interview here:Ā Interview with Manchester Climate Monthly!Ā
I really liked this interview as I could think about the answers and I wasn’t rushed, which can sometimes make me very anxious.
Out in Manchester again today encouraging adults to support young people at next weeks national climate strike on April 12th.
Friday 5 minute action take a selfie, hashtag #climatestrike you don’t have to be at a strike to do this – tag your MP…. ask your MP what they’re doing about the issue as plans so far won’t tackle the climate crisis we are in. šæLil’s World Blog in bio šæ
#fridaysforfuture. š #wedonthavetime
#youthstrike4climate #Manchester #climatecrisis #actnowforfuture
#climatechange #youthstrikeforclimate #clumateemergency #climatechange #homeeducationuk #youthclimatestrike #climatejusticenow #endecocide #systemchangenotclimatechange #wildlifeconservation #protectourplanet #protectouroceans #endsingleuseplastic #ipccreport2018 #respectthescience #ourchildrensfuture #youthclimateactionnow
#homeeducationuk #fridays #climatestrike
#homeeducation #homeed #homeschool #learning #doilookinvisible #welovehomeed – https://www.instagram.com/p/Bv38EsfB7x_/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=jv8r7rib4qiw
Today was another fantastic day. So much bigger than the last organised strike, and so many people. It was brilliant to see more children like myself getting up to speak and have their voices heard.Ā We Rise!!
Hello I’m Lillia and I’m 9 years old.
Since I spoke here last month weāve experienced the hottest Winter day on record and if that wasnāt bad enough, that same week Parliament had its first debate in 2 years on climate change.
Out of 650 MPās only 48 attended to debate. Thatās just 7%. Iād fail any test with that percentage. And thatās exactly what our government is doing – Failing us!
They know the climate issue is urgent but theyāre not trying to help.
There is a saying that goes āActions speak louder than words.ā
Deeds not words were written proudly across the suffragette banners when they called others to action, because they knew promises and words meant nothing if not backed up by action, and ultimately the changing of the laws to make sure those actions were done.
Manchester and this region has a proud History that has seen many stand up against injustice, and doing what is right. Behind us stands the Pankhurst Statue. Representing how she and Manchester
played important roles in the Suffrage Movement.
The First Trade Union was founded here in Manchester in 1818. People coming together for common goals. Just as we are today. A goal that unites us all and that is to save this planet!
Me, speaking now, and you all stood here are now part of that History – standing up for Climate Justice!
We are in a different century standing up for a different type of injustice. Because the issue of climate change is not an individual issue. It is a political issue – it affects every single person not just in the city of Manchester, or the UK – but in the World! And every future whether it be human or animal depends on a few to make a drastic change.
But theyāre still not listening.
They treat us like a fly they want to swat away. Our opinions dismissed. Iāve been told Iām too young to understand. That what we are doing here today is “wasted lesson time”.
Well I say you are wrong!
Theresa May. Stop patronising us!
Mrs May you are already in the middle of trying to rip away opportunities from us by taking us out of Europe. There is NO way we are going to stand idly by and have you take our literal futures too.
So yes we strike, and we will become future scientists and engineers and advocates to help tackle the 6th extinction. We will also become activist’s and future politicians to ensure that politicians like you are not one of the few who hold the future of the world in their hands.
But what now? Because already children like me are dieing across the world in storms, floods, droughts and closer to home – air pollution – poisoning us as I speak.
We cannot wait for my generation to get older to fix what might no longer be fixable. Because if it isnāt fixed now there won’t be a future for children like me. So to my government, I say follow the Paris agreement and the IPCC report. Everything is set out clearly for you. Do your homework and then take immediate action. Because we are not going to go away until you do. We will continue to strike until you do.
I want to end with this quote
āSometimes a butterfly flaps itās wings and there is a storm on the other side of the worldā
Greta was that butterfly and WE ARE THAT STORM!
EVERY LAST ONE OF US!
IN EVERY CITY ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND WORLD TODAY ā WE RISE!!! ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦.Thank you!
Hello. Iām Lillia and I’m 9 years old.
In 12 years I will be 21.
Scientists have given us 12 years to limit climate change before there is nothing we can really do.
I have hopes and dreams for 21 year old Lillia that may only be just that – dreams!
Especially if adults and politicians that run our country don’t listen to our voices for change and the voices of scientists around the world.
This shouldnāt be our responsibility. It is unfair that we have to face the consequences of what others have done. If the adults who are supposed to be responsible are not listening, then we have to make them responsible.
Out of the 195 countries in the world, the UK ranks 41st for its Carbon footprint. This may seem OK to some but itās not good enough. Not when the Planet is in danger and going through the process of the 6th extinction.
Overpopulation and over consumption are heading us towards another great dying. Because people cannot see it affecting humans yet, it doesnāt mean itāss not happening. The rapid extinction of insects and animals is a warning sign that will eventually catch up to us.
This is preventable, because we are the cause.
Humans are the cause!
It is our want and need and greed that is causing this.
The UK Government has set out a 25 year Environmental plan, And thatās just it ā a plan!
A plan without any real action! And it is action that we need to stop climate change.
25 years is a long way off. We need things to move quicker. And with no laws being changed so this plan can work, how do we know if this plan will be put into action? This is not reassuring! You only have to look at Theresa Mayās Brexit plan to see how good her so called āplansā are.
There needs to be more solutions than just banning plastic straws. Itās only a small drop in the ocean that is the problem we have now.
Some people think its too late to save the earth. Scientists across the world say we have 12 years to get this right. The technology is there. The solution’s are there. Brilliant minds across the world have been working on this for decades. And what they have said has been ignored.
It cannot be ignored any longer!
Yes it is expensive but we cannot put a price on our planet. We have to save the world and we have to save ourselves.
And if it takes us children to protest and strike to get our voices heard for our future and the children that come after us – Then we must ā we have to ā because it is our future that is in danger.
Some people have lost hope, or simply do not want to face the reality we are in. But we must because there is no other planet. We only have one earth and we are killing it.
We need action on air pollution- Now!
We need action on fracking- Now!
We need action on the destruction of woodlands and natural habitats-Now!
Not in 25 years, not in 20 years. Not in 10 or even 5 years – but now!!!!
The world’s depending on it!!
Thank you
Lil's World 