Hundreds of Mumbaikars of all ages staged a silent march from Joggers’ Park to the amphitheatre in Bandra on Friday evening to create awareness of the adverse effects of climate change and prod policymakers to take measures to protect the environment.
Under the banner of Fridays for Future (FFF), Mumbai, youngsters skipped school and adults stepped out of office. They highlighted the threat facing nature by holding posters, making speeches and putting up performances. Among the protesters were prominent faces such as actor Bhumi Pednekar and singers Sunita Rao and Anushka Manchanda.
Ms. Rao said fighting for climate justice is close to her heart and she is curating a music video to spread awareness of the issue. She said, “Rivers are drying, children crying, trees are falling, people dying, ice is melting, snow caps shrinking, the globe is burning and no one’s thinking. The weather’s changing, the clock is ticking, seas are swelling, cities sinking, losing homes no fault of theirs, I’ll make a change, I swear.”
Ms. Pednekar said, “Since childhood, we were all taught in school that eventually there is going to be a climate crisis and we have to save our trees, water and natural resources. Over the last few years, I’ve realised that everything they told me is actually happening. We have hurricanes, tornadoes, rapid deforestation and our sea levels are rising. Change needs to happen now.”
Ruhi Kumar, volunteer at FFF, Mumbai, and organiser of the event, said, “The way we are consuming resources and polluting the environment, the country’s future is under threat. India is home to 13 of the most polluted cities in the world. Mumbai is the most polluted city in the State. The sea levels are rising, there is flooding and we are using up our mangroves, wetlands and urban forest covers quickly.” Ms. Kumar said youngsters are waking up to the negative impact of the decisions taken by the previous generations.
