Approximately 700 people marched in Brussels on Friday afternoon to demand a “liveable future,” according to Brussels police.
The demonstration was organised by Youth for Climate and Rise for Climate, coinciding with the upcoming UN Future Summit in New York on 22-23 September.
The primary aim was to urge member state leaders to support the fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty.
Amidst recurring natural disasters like wildfires, floods, and droughts, protesters reiterated the urgent need for action. By 5h30 PM, they had gathered near Central Station and began marching through the capital’s streets an hour later.
Fading presence of younger generations in climate marches
Jean-Pascal van Ypersele, climatologist and former vice-chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), stressed the growing visibility of climate impacts, even as fewer young people take to the streets compared to six years ago.
“We seem to have forgotten the urgency of acting against climate change,” he noted.
Climate activists are calling on political leaders to sign the fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty, which is supported by thousands of scientists and NGOs, including 101 Nobel laureates.
However, only 13 countries, primarily island nations and Colombia, have endorsed it. “Where there are fossil fuels, there is no future,” emphasised Kim Le Quang, co-founder of Rise for Climate.
The organisers are also advocating for broader implementation of ambitious regulations to guide the European Union towards a “fairer and more sustainable” society.
Similar protests were held the same day in several dozen countries, including Germany and India, following the global movement “Friday for Future.”
