Global climate strike: Greta Thunberg and school students lead climate crisis protest

Millions of people from Sydney to Manila, Dhaka to London and New York are marching for urgent action on climate breakdown

1.52am BST

For the past 24 hours, the Guardian has been reporting in real time as millions of people joined in a worldwide, youth-led climate strike – with correspondents filing dispatches from the demonstrations across the globe.

1.30am BST

These puppers want action on climate change right now. And maybe also a treat, please?

This dog gets it. Climate strike in San Francisco pic.twitter.com/URVintNKlD

I'm scared about our government's lack of meaningful climate action too, doggo! #ClimateStrike #Melbourne pic.twitter.com/y0ZJCBXYZj

#ClimateStrike #Hobart #Tasmania
Clever doggo pic.twitter.com/j5OXXQkf7A

12.57am BST

Workers from Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Facebook, and Twitter staged walkouts in what may be the largest coordinated worker action in the history of the tech industry.

Seattle tech workers are out here!! #TechClimateStrike pic.twitter.com/x8nIzSDyzO

Here we go! We’re marching side-by-side with @TwtAction for #ClimateStrike. pic.twitter.com/Bne4UdMfxX

Twitter, Amazon, and Google workers marching together for climate justice! pic.twitter.com/JTQgT3968i

12.53am BST

Hundreds of Amazon workers left their desks Friday to join a thousands-strong climate strike march in Seattle.

Let's raise the bar, not the temperature! #ClimateStrike #AMZNClimate pic.twitter.com/dvCMo22Hcf

12.42am BST

The Guardian has partnered with Friends of the Earth to highlight the climate crisis and raise funds for the charity, which is doing so much to address the damage that has been done and continues to be done to the planet.

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Young activists in Brazil: less CO2, more vida

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Maanvi Singh, here — taking up the Guardian’s live climate strike coverage from the West Coast.

I'm heading to cover the climate strike in Richmond today. The crowd will be smaller than in SF or Berkeley, but Richmond has been home to some of the most exciting and effective environmental organizing for 15+ years now, all in the shadow of a 100-year-old Chevron refinery.

10.00pm BST

Thousands of demonstrators have taken to the streets of Mexico City to join the global climate strike this afternoon.

“Se ve, se siente, la tierra está caliente,” the crowds shouted as they processed down the city’s main avenue, Reforma towards its presidential palace. “You see it, you feel it. The earth is getting hotter.”

Protesters - many of them school children and teenagers - carried homemade banners reading: “There’s no money in a dead earth” and “Action now!” One placard urged demonstrators to make love, not CO2.

9.48pm BST

Best friends Amaya Mejia, 10, and Scarlett Harrison, 11, skipped school together to join the Miami Beach youth climate strike, after staying up late the night before to craft their placards. Amaya opted for a globe with the simple message: “There is no Planet B”.

Best friends Amaya Mejia, 10, and Scarlett Harrison, 11, stayed up late last night to make their placards for the Miami Beach #schoolstrike4climate. @GuardianUS #ClimateStrike pic.twitter.com/4LTIFHNdEB

9.34pm BST

Covering the climate crisis is absolutely core to the Guardian’s editorial mission.

9.10pm BST

Organizers expected some 10,000 people to rally at City Hall Plaza for the Boston Climate Strike organized by youth climate activists.

8.54pm BST

Understated sign of the day award at Miami Beach #ClimateStrike won hands down by this dude @GuardianUS #schoolstrike4climate pic.twitter.com/qj36M4o6Ry

Nurse Angel Allen and her family drove more than 100 miles from Port St Lucie to join the Miami Beach #ClimateStrike Malik, 15, says he just wants there to be a world to visit in the future #schoolstrike4climate @GuardianUS pic.twitter.com/UTKZlAqEKN

8.49pm BST

Most New York strikers have now made it down to Battery Park where a stage has been set up close to the water. Hundreds of people are packed around the stage, Greta is slated to speak, and many more are camped out sitting on the grass in the park.

Battery Park is packed with people #ClimateStrike pic.twitter.com/Sr8tRI76Tu

8.45pm BST

Climate meme power

People keep stopping Lauren Drabenstott, an NYU student, for pictures of her double-sided poster. “I just felt like it’s a good way to get across the younger generation.” #ClimateStrike pic.twitter.com/w5vhRmvzOa

8.40pm BST

Reporting from the hurricane-hit Bahamas last week, I met David Dean, a sous chef at one of its holiday resorts. “My wife and kids had me as ‘dead’ on Facebook because they couldn’t find me,” he said. “When I called them, there was a lot of crying.”

8.32pm BST

This video is great at capturing some of the scale of the New York action.

NYCs massive #ClimateStrike march has begun, from Foley Sq down Centre St to Chambers St across to Broadway... and down to the Battery! Thank you @ClimateCrisis and everyone else marching! pic.twitter.com/WUpeRP0ZQS

8.31pm BST

Which countries contribute most to the climate crisis? How much is the US to blame?

China produces the most heat-trapping pollution, followed by the US, the European Union, India and Russia. But historically, the US has contributed more carbon dioxide to the atmosphere than any other nation.

7.58pm BST

Is Donald Trump making climate change worse with his rollbacks?

The US is falling far short of its commitments to curb heat-trapping pollution, in part because Trump has gutted efforts made by his predecessor, Barack Obama.

7.50pm BST

It is, of course, worth keeping in mind today the specific demands that climate groups have for meaningful action. The Youth Climate Strike Coalition in the US, has issued a set of policy demands which includes:

7.34pm BST

Downtown New York City is packed with sign-bearing people of all ages, though the crowd noticeably skews young. Students from all over NYC have come to the march. Many young children are accompanied by their parents while middle and high school students are here with their friends. Almost all groups have posters in hand.

On the way down to the march, I caught up with students from Professional Performing Arts School, who caught the subway to attend the strike together. They met up at school and decided to go to the march in a group.

Caught up with students from Professional Performing Arts School in New York who were taking the subway en route to the march. “I just want the world to exist the way I knew when I was growing up,” Nyla, a student, told me. #ClimateStrike pic.twitter.com/dztcOndH1H

Arlene Guevara and Melanie Garcia, two students from Beacon High School. “Our planet is dying, and no one’s going to be doing anything except for us right now,” Arlene told me. pic.twitter.com/NGjHSbhcNd

7.28pm BST

We are expecting hundreds of Amazon workers to strike later in their HQ city of Seattle, Washington.

After months agitating for climate accountability from their employer, Amazon.com workers celebrated Thursday as the Seattle-based retail and cloud computing giant pledged to zero out carbon emissions by 2040.

The announcement from CEO Jeff Bezos came as about 1,500 Amazon workers prepared to walkout Friday as part of the global strike for climate change. The disruption would mark the first time white-collar Amazon workers have walked off the job.

In Seattle, students will march from Cal Anderson Park in Capitol Hill to City Hall starting at noon.

From 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., the marchers will hold a youth-led rally for climate justice at City Hall.https://t.co/mKzqh8INSR

7.10pm BST

The Guardian’s Latin American correspondent Tom Phillips has spotted a striking banner in Guadalajara, Mexico.

"What's the point in studying for a non-existent future?" #ClimateStrike protesters in Guadalajara, Mexico today pic via @LibiaServin pic.twitter.com/XVpvfw6AVb

7.04pm BST

Here’s some footage from climate strikes around the world today:

7.02pm BST

Miami student Greta Rodriguez feels exactly the same way as the famous teenage climate activist who shares her first name, and had a similar message as she joined dozens of classmates to protest in Miami Beach: We’ve just had enough.

The 15-year-old was among a party of 50 students from the Cushman private school in Key Biscayne who wanted to make their voices heard in this low-lying coastal city that is recognized as ground zero for sea level rise.

Delighted to meet these smart young ladies from @CushmanSchool at Miami Beach #schoolstrike4climate today. About 50 Cushman students attended, says biology teacher Jen Russell #ClimateStrike @GuardianUS pic.twitter.com/w7dgKolraO

6.59pm BST

At the New York event are Zariah, age seven, and Lori Sapphire, who says: “We’re here to save the planet. So no packaging. It’s an easy solution. Focus on solar energy. No more cars burning oil. Stop taking every mineral from the earth. Go back to the simple ways.

“There’s enough for everyone. Stop burning the forests because we want to eat meat and soybeans. Use hemp for everything. It almost a joke that everything were doing is being so selfishly and unconsciously. It like we’re not from the planet, otherwise we’d care.”

6.48pm BST

The crowds in New York are massive but everyone is slowly making their way down to Battery Park.

6.46pm BST

Earlier at the breakfast meeting for indigenous people from the Amazon and Indonesia, 19 year old Artemisa Barbosa Ribeiro, a climate activist known as Artemisa Xakriabá, told the Guardian she is thankful for all the young people who are joining the movement.

“ I can see a future where we can make a difference but for that we must be listened to and respected,” she said, describing how her people, the Xakriabá peoples, a group of approximately 12 thousand people who live on the left bank of the São Francisco River, in the municipality of São João das Missões, in the state of Minas Gerais, have watched as mining companies have denied them access to the river and its water.

6.39pm BST

Here is a message from Greta Thunberg, who will be making a speech at the New York event later in Battery Park:

6.29pm BST

There are many, many hundreds of protesters in DC. Blocks and blocks of a roughly 6-lane street filled and more coming and marching toward the US Capitol. I can’t see the end.

#climatestrikedc #globalclimatestrike #fridaysforfuture pic.twitter.com/cyuHjnnurX

#ClimateStrikedc #globalclimatestrike pic.twitter.com/1hfciTiNSN

“This is the fight for our future” #dcclimatestrike #GlobalClimateStrike pic.twitter.com/WwqsaJty9Q

#globalclimatestrike hundreds behind them not pictured #dcclimatestrike pic.twitter.com/7s4bisRNGa

“I speak for the trees. They said f**k you.” #climatestrike #GlobalClimateStrike #dcclimatestrike pic.twitter.com/90uefWI3Vv

“Whose plant? Our planet” #ClimateStrike #GlobalClimateStrike #dcclimatestrike pic.twitter.com/9HXofNgSWO

6.21pm BST

This gives you a sense of how big the gathering in New York is - so many people want to participate.

#ClimateStrike protest is so big in Lower Manhattan that the #NYPD had to shut down all of the streets in a section of Lower Manhattan, including the exit from the Brooklyn Bridge. @PIX11News @NYPDnews pic.twitter.com/SSMgxSEhsU

6.18pm BST

Delaney Reynolds has addressed the general assembly of the United Nations on the climate crisis. She has appeared in a prime time National Geographic special, written books, won awards, launched a non-profit battling sea rise, shared a stage with Al Gore and changed laws in almost a decade as an environmental activist and entrepreneur.

She is also still only 20.

Climate protestors in Miami Beach not mincing their words. Another sign I just saw says simply: "It's fucking hot." #ClimateStrike @guardianus #schoolstrike4climate pic.twitter.com/MTr6MR5tG5

If scientists are right, Miami Beach City Hall will be under 7ft of water by 2100. The youth of Miami has something to say about it #ClimateStrike @guardianus #schoolstrike4climate pic.twitter.com/KbT1sKpGbN

6.11pm BST

The climate strike is being held the same day as the two-year anniversary of Hurricane Maria, which devastated Puerto Rico and left nearly 3,000 people dead.

In recognition of that event, the climate strike is happening in concert with a Puerto Rico Day of Action to highlight the struggles the island still faces in its effort to rebuild, while remaining vulnerable to the impact of climate change.

6.04pm BST

Here are some photographs of people gathering in New York’s Foley Square.

5.56pm BST

Donald Trump is set to attend the United Nations headquarters during Monday’s key summit on the climate crisis – but will be there to take part in a meeting on religious freedom instead.

5.50pm BST

Many folks have come to New York from all over the world to attend today’s strike, planning their trips months in advance.

Our Village, a coalition made of indigenous groups and communities of color, spoke to reporters this morning, in a studio space in New York City where they were making signs and distributing T-shirts in anticipation of the march.

I’m helping @guardian with its live coverage of today’s climate strike in NYC. I started my day off with Our Village, a coalition of indigenous groups and communities of color, who are prepping for the march. People came from as far as Brazil and Indonesia for the strikes. pic.twitter.com/12hiaL2fF3

5.48pm BST

The United Nations headquarters in New York will play host tonight to an immersive art installation by artist Joseph Michael that features images of an iceberg and six young advocates, including Greta Thunberg, addressing hopes and fears around the climate crisis. We have some pictures from last night’s final rehearsal:

5.45pm BST

We will be live through the rest of the day here in the US with Oliver Milman, Lauren Aratani and Ed Helmore reporting on the big rally in New York city.

Emily Holden, meanwhile, is out with activists in Washington DC while Richard Luscombe is at the strikes in Miami Beach.

5.38pm BST

Welcome from the Guardian’s office in New York, where we are now anchoring live coverage of these calls for climate action, which have drawn huge crowds around the world.

We expect the US will be staging its largest ever climate strike, with actions planned in more than 1,000 locations, including major rallies in New York, Washington DC, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco and Miami.

5.33pm BST

There have already been significant protests across the world today with millions joining the climate strike to urge politicians and businesses to take action to avert the climate crisis.

With parts of the US just waking up and others still asleep it’s far from over so I’m handing over to my colleague Mark Oliver, who is taking over the blog and will keep you abreast of all the latest developments in the US and elsewhere.

5.25pm BST

Back in the UK, the police monitoring group Netpol says that officers are restricting protesters in London by kettling them (for those unfamiliar with the British vernacular it means confining demonstrators in a small area) on the southside of Westminster Bridge.

Police have kettled part of the #ClimateStrike demo.

They are saying people cannot protest but also one office just shouted at someone "if you leave you will be arrested."

Out of control, nonsensical and completely disproportionate. pic.twitter.com/pxJsDbx5FO

5.18pm BST

New York is standing up!

The scene in NYC #ClimateStrike pic.twitter.com/ihnwmyfIPz

5.14pm BST

The Rolling Stones legend Keith Richards has endorsed the climate strike, realising that Time is not actually On Our Side (sorry).

I stand in support of the global #climatestrike today. We need to do everything we can to protect our planet and humanity. Find out more at https://t.co/YZFM0eBd0n pic.twitter.com/SD52R7uywL

5.08pm BST

The Guardian has partnered with Friends of the Earth to highlight the climate crisis and raise funds for the charity, which is doing so much to address the damage that has been done and continues to be done to the planet.

4.58pm BST

Here is a country I’m not sure we’ve featured on the blog so far today.

The #ClimateStrike in Pakistan. pic.twitter.com/yZ9VoZnWsP

4.55pm BST

With the US protests beginning, it feels like a good time to highlight this article on the huge impact climate change could have on the nation if it is not arrested.

4.48pm BST

The US is waking up (in more ways than one) and already there are sizeable crowds reported.

Huge crowd on #ClimateStrike in DC chanting “This is what democracy looks like!”#strikewithus #greennewdeal #fridaysforfuture pic.twitter.com/BH16qNiWrQ

There is a large crowd at the Old Capitol for the #ClimateStrike in #Tallahassee. pic.twitter.com/CBC9h2sder

#ClimateStrike at University of New Hampshire. Proud to see my students (undergrad and grad) here. Wildcats fight for the future! pic.twitter.com/aUb7syZsX4

We’re here at Brooklyn Borough Hall rallying with local students for the #ClimateStrike, and we’re fired up! pic.twitter.com/hA5BGqATg8

4.42pm BST

Here is a useful reminder about the impact of flying. You can also calculate the impact of your next trip.

4.36pm BST

Anuna De Wever, 18, a cofounder of Belgium’s school strike movement, which has organised 20 nationwide strike days since January, said today’s protest in Brussels made her feel hopeful.

It was amazing, we had 20,000 across the streets. I am really happy about this strike because I feel like after coming on the streets after 20 weeks, this is our season two. There are so many people ready and it just makes me feel very hopeful.

Belgium is doing really badly on the climate crisis. There is not any ambition from any of our politicians. So we are really asking them to take responsibility because right now we don’t have a climate policy and they really need to take responsibility.

There are some arguments, especially in politics but we don’t care about that and we want to unite everyone to fight with us. I think it’s beautiful that no one is thinking about this, are they from the Walloon side or are they from the Flemish side.

4.36pm BST

The bulk of those still taking part in the climate strike in London reached the entrance to Trafalgar Square a little earlier, where police blocked it off at Northumberland Avenue, to chants of “let them through”. Many people are on their way home now.

I was speaking at the back of the crowd to two new mothers, Chloe Reeves and Lauren Slattery, who had brought along their children, Leo (five months) and Phoenix (seven months).

Meanwhile, two of the youngest participants in the London #ClimateStrike - Phoenix (7mnths) & Leo (5mnths)

(They’ve brought along their mums Lauren and Cloe) pic.twitter.com/fGY3fd4vra

4.21pm BST

Nearly two-thirds (64%) of Generation Z Americans want to work for employers committed to tackling climate change, according to research released today from international non-profit organisation the Climate Group.

It surveyed more than 1,000 16- to 24-year-olds across the US to find out their views on climate change and how it will affect their future choices. Three in four young people (77%) feel climate change is an important issue that needs to be solved, with almost identical results for Democratic and Republican states (80% v 76%).

We need wholescale changes to economies and infrastructure to make pro-climate choices the new normal. It is in the interests of every business and government to sit up and listen to the next generation of workers and voters.

We know through our initiatives for business on renewables, electric vehicles, and smart efficient energy and work with state and regional governments that good progress is being made in the US, but more needs to be done at a greater pace and scale.

4.05pm BST

Demonstrations, marches, even open-air classes on environmental policy are planned in more than 40 Brazilian cities on Friday. And while numbers are likely to range widely – from 186 people who signed up for the Facebook event of a protest at 5pm in the southern city of Florianópolis to 12,000 promising to attend another at 4pm on São Paulo’s landmark Paulista Avenue, activists said the geographical spread of cities taking part shows how non-party, environmental activism is growing here.

“We are talking to churches, unions, social movements,” said Yumi Kawamura, 45, a sociologist helping organise the São Paulo event, “looking to unite organisations with different agendas and find a common way forward.”

3.55pm BST

Fatima Zara Alarakha, 20, a campaigner for Islamic Relief UK and an arts student, marching on Millbank beside the Houses of Parliament in central London, said fighting climate change was imperative, given her beliefs:

I’m here today because it is my duty as Muslim and a human. Allah entrusted us to look after the earth and it is our responsibility to do so.

I’m striking today to represent my family in Pakistan whose houses are being flooded as a result of our overconsumption in the west. I’m also here to represent the future generations whose lives will be affected by the decisions we make. I want to bring children up in a world where they don’t have to suffer from majorly polluted air, decrepit housing and the health problems and poverty brought on by the climate crisis.

3.37pm BST

Manisha Jeevan, 16, isn’t sure she is ready for her music exam tomorrow. But she decided to skip school because climate change is more important, she says. “If there is no earth then how will we live?”

She is protesting near Lodhi gardens, Delhi, with her friend, Kushi, also 16. They worry about pollution in Delhi, about the failure to manage waste properly and about the increasingly hot weather. “It’s September. Our parents used to get winter in this month but we have not got winter. We are losing our seasons,” says Kushi.

“It’s September. Our parents used to get winter in this month but we have not got winter. We are losing our seasons,” says Kushi, 16, who is protesting with her friend Manisha in Delhi #ClimateStrike pic.twitter.com/UywZlK5btW

3.30pm BST

New York City is anticipated to see one of the largest climate strikes today. Thousands of people are expected at the protest, which is being co-hosted by over two dozen local and national groups. Protesters plan to gather at a park outside New York’s City Hall and march a mile down to Battery Park, where Greta Thunberg is scheduled to speak in the afternoon along with other performers and speakers.

In anticipation of the strikes, NYC’s Department of Education announced the absences of students in the district, the largest school district in the nation, will be excused on Friday with parental permission. In other words, 1.1 million students have been given the green light to attend the strikes if they want to. Many students have spent the last few weeks painting signs and banners in preparation.

3.23pm BST

The central London rally, outside parliament, has heard speeches from Jeremy Corbyn and Caroline Lucas, with the Labour leader calling for tougher global environmental standards to prevent the import of products made overseas using harmful processes.

So when we measure the effects of climate change emissions, let’s measure those emissions at the source, where they are created, and not put ourselves in some comfort zone, that we’re doing OK at the expense of somebody else.

That green industrial revolution can bring about, I believe, 400,000 decent, high-quality jobs. And with that we also have cleaner air, we have better quality of life, and we deal with many of the health inequalities that exist in this country.

The truth is that a climate target of net zero by 2050 is not climate leadership. When your house is on fire you don’t call 999 and ask for a fire engine in 30 years’ time. You want urgent action now.

3.19pm BST

This is a striking picture, no pun intended, from Berlin.

The translation of the sign held by “Merkel” reads: “Mother (Merkel) has failed, now it’s the turn of young people.”

3.10pm BST

The Bishop of Wolverhampton, Clive Gregory, has asked all clergy members and lay employees within the Dioceses of Lichfield to set aside their usual duties today to focus instead on Climate Action activities.

Gregory led a special service at Lichfield Cathedral to raise awareness about the climate crisis. Around 550 pupils and teachers from five West Midlands primary schools attended.

3.06pm BST

My colleague, Ben Quinn, is in Westminster where climate strikers are heading towards Downing Street, but there is also a counter-demonstration by Jeremy Corbyn’s brother, and famed climate change denier, Piers.

In London #ClimateStrike crowd is moving in direction of N10.. cheers as thin yellow line of police move off in front pic.twitter.com/rLuKjAnhuu

Piers Corbyn on a megaphone leading a small group of people in Westminster against the #ClimateStrike pic.twitter.com/FjJvg3KpPi

3.00pm BST

The German government today announced a new climate protection package costing €50bn, which was immediately criticised as lacking ambition by Fridays for Future protesters.

At a press conference in central Berlin, the German chancellor, Angela Merkel, said that as a scientist she had been impressed by Greta Thunberg’s motto “unite behind the science”.

Following a marathon negotiation session, Merkel’s conservatives and her Social Democrat coalition partner detailed plans for increased purchase premiers for electric cars, and new taxes for traditional cars with emissions over 115mg.

The measures include a ban on installing oil-fired heating in buildings from 2025, with a subsidy for householders prepared to switch to more climate-friendly alternatives.

A price for emissions of carbon dioxide has also been agreed that will take effect via trading in emissions certificates. The package also includes new investment in rail networks, and promises of reduced fares.

In a tweet, Fridays for Future criticised the plans:

Dear government: if you spend years doing nothing for climate protection and then, after months of massive public pressure, discuss measures that have nothing to do with [the plan to halt global warming at] 1.5C, then that’s not a ‘breakthrough’ but a scandal.

2.55pm BST

You can see some of the best pictures of the day here:

2.53pm BST

Thanks for the excellent questions, which have ranged from science and politics to a plea from a deskbound worker – hang in there! – and thanks to you all for taking part in the debate over climate issues and solutions.

Today’s climate strikes have sent a message round the world that will be heard in the highest echelons of politics and business, but which have also helped to spur public engagement with the solutions to the crisis that will be needed if we are to make the vast changes we must to avoid the worst ravages of climate chaos.

2.52pm BST

A noisy and good natured protest is being held in Bedford, with a few hundred protesters, including one dressed as a giant dinosaur, marching along the High Street at lunchtime shouting “what do we want, climate justice”, “no planet B” and “this is what democracy looks like”.

The protest is being led by children from local schools, clearly drawing their inspiration from climate activist Greta Thunberg. Earlier, Bedford’s MP, Mohammad Yasin, addressed the crowd, saying he was sorry that politicians had let people down and pledging his support. One young protester addressing the crowd said: “We may only be 14 or 15 years old but we’re a force to be reckoned with.”

2.45pm BST

Indy Willaert, Liza, Fran Demeyer and Jana Bameils, all aged 13, have taken half a day off school to attend the climate march in Brussels.

Not all their teachers are in favour. “Some of them are alright with it, but some of them would rather have us in class,” says Fran, who has already taken part in several school strikes. “That climate is more important ... You can always do [your work] after school,” adds Indy.

2.43pm BST

People are also out in force in Poland.

Warsaw, Poland. #FridaysForFuture #ClimateStrike https://t.co/SeuHiUVxmT

2.42pm BST

Ten-year-old Nellie Jacobs and her mother, Helen, had never protested before their hometown of Whaley Bridge made national headlines earlier this month.

Nellie and her Dad were choosing books in the library of their quiet Derbyshire town when Helen called them in a panic to say its dam had burst and the whole neighbourhood could go under.

Everyone had to be evacuated and we raced for high ground. I was quite scared because we weren’t expecting it. We occasionally get police cars coming through Whaley for something that’s not in Whaley but we’ve not had crises in Whaley.

I’m worried it might happen again. We weren’t used to that much rain so it made me worry and it made me think all this rain, we don’t get it usually so I thought that it was climate change that caused the rain.

It’s kind of getting the politicians to realise that they’ve made a mistake in saying that it’s really nothing when it’s a really big problem and we need to act on it now. I thought if I got out here and did something then it might happen.

It’s been building up a lot in my mind. The climate is under threat and it has been for a long time but the action doesn’t seem to have fit the imperative. We feel like we need to wake the government up, we need to wake world leaders up and make them realise that we need systematic massive change.

2.40pm BST

In Aviemore, a town in the Cairngorms National Park, in the Scottish Highlands, strikes are taking place.

So proud to see my sons heading off for the #ClimateStrike today in #Aviemore. The placards are made and they are ready to go #FridayForFuture Time for us all to do more #Cairngorms #Climate #NationalPark pic.twitter.com/74J9YXzZvN

2.38pm BST

Nick from Norwich asked:

How can I join in the strike in a non-unionised office where no one cares about climate change without getting the sack?

How will we make our nuclear power plants safe if this civilisation collapses? How does the hydrological cycle fit in? Can regenerative agriculture help?

How much impact do long-haul flights have? How does the impact compare with, say, driving a car, or using electrical household appliances every day?

What is your estimate on how much renewables capacity Europe needs to build to meet its climate targets? My rough guess is between 30-40 GW per year, that would equal about 600 wind turbines per month, that’s quite a challenge (other forms of renewables are of course available).

Whatever happened to the plant a tree in ‘73 campaigns I grew up with in the 1970s? Surely now is a good time to kickstart this again with planting in every public space and private garden. Fruit trees also feed us and wildlife. I have planted hundreds of trees over the years. Ultimately, however, the planet is simply overcrowded. My wife and I chose to be child free so we’ve done our bit...

2.33pm BST

Thousands of French youngsters skipped school to march through Paris. Claude Guyon, a cinema decorator and sculptor, was dressed as a Brazilian tribal leader and carried a “sacred rattle”. He said:

I’m here to represent the guardians of the Earth from north and South America. The tribal leader, who is a woman, gave me this headdress so I could be here today as an ambassador for her.

2.26pm BST

Primary school headteacher Scott McFarlane took the morning off work to attend the Middlesborough climate strike with his wife, who is also a teacher, and his nine-year-old son, who is a pupil at his school.

During the strike, dozens of protesters staged a “die in” in the North Yorkshire town’s Centre Square – lying on the pavement for seven minutes to illustrate the rate at which it is believed species are becoming extinct.

2.23pm BST

Of all the venues globally that will host climate strike protests today, none can surpass Miami Beach for poignancy. Florida’s poster-city for sea level rise will sink under seven feet of water by the end of the century, if scientists’ predictions are realised, and already it takes only a high tide and a rainy day to send floodwaters surging inland.

These dark clouds are why student climate activists from all over South Florida will gather at Miami Beach city hall this morning to reinforce their message that more needs to be done. At the most recent youth strike in May, barely four dozen waved placards and called for action - but today students will walk out of their South Florida schools and assemble there in their hundreds to highlight the urgency of the moment.

We’re told by the adults, ‘what you’re doing is a good thing, keep up the great work’. But it shouldn’t be just ‘oh, keep doing what you’re doing’, it should be ‘let me see what I can do to help you. How can I be a climate voter? How can I switch my lifestyle to be more sustainable? How can I lower my carbon footprint?’

We want this to be that historic moment that we look back on and say that was the day we got it changed. That was the day we were able to make people hear us, and create legislation and address this crisis.

2.21pm BST

Andreu from Valencia, Spain asked:

According to scientists, the “natural evolution” of the sun will lead to major climate change here on the Earth. So, what role, if any, does solar activity (solar winds, solar flares, sunspots) play in climate change right now? Are we missing something, have we miscalculated or does the sun have nothing to do with climate change at this point?

The electrification of small vehicles is seen as an achievable near-term step towards cutting emissions, but to replace a significant fraction of the current fossil-fuelled fleet would presumably require a drastic increase in the global extraction and use of ‘rare-earth’ metals for battery manufacture. How well do we currently understand the environmental impact of such a change and are there more sustainable battery technologies on the horizon?

Guy McPherson, an environmental scientist, argues that, due to the protection from the sun’s heat attributable to global dimming, if we cut carbon emissions the Earth will heat faster, and the planet will be uninhabitable for any species within a decade. Why is this theory not spoken about or even mentioned by any other leading environmental voices?

2.19pm BST

Lyra Harris, six, from Islington, London, protesting outside 10 Downing Street, said:

Stop this nonsense. Our Earth is getting too hot. We have to act now for everyone. It’s not just for humans, climate change harms the animals too.

2.13pm BST

Over in Greece it is pupils who have been leading protests with hundreds pouring into Athens’ main plaza, Syntaga square.

Ariadni, 15, holding a hand-drawn placard of a weeping planet under a halo of heat said:

I am here to raise awareness. There’s not much time left. This is global. People need to be informed and they need to act now.

2.06pm BST

This shows the scale of the march in Edinburgh:

The Edinburgh climate march is loooooooooong! I didn’t get anywhere near the end. #schoolstrike4climate pic.twitter.com/kIatZ2Pm6V

2.02pm BST

Ian Mantgani, 36, is striking in London today. He says:

We have to put pressure on our employers, MPs and friends. We need a new power grid and electric cars on the road or we’re toast. Keep pressuring those in power for concrete change and keep pressuring them when they give you mealy mouthed answers. I believe that’s the best way forward for change.”

1.56pm BST

Chris from South Africa asked:

Why are we not seeing a rise in sea levels? Could it perhaps partly be due to the fact that rainfall across the SAHEL region that is rapidly greening is 40m olympic swimming pools up on a few years ago?

Are we prepared to do real things to tackle climate change? We can say do this or do that but our use of social media takes significant resources. The cheap food, cheap technology, new mobiles released every year is driven by customers not the other way around so how many are actually genuinely prepared to change their way of life?

How democratic is it that a secondary school threatens their pupils with being expelled if they participate in today’s strike? How are we teaching ‘British values’ to our kids if in their school are not allowed to protest for something that fully impacts their future? What will it be next? Forbid them to participate in any human rights support act?

The UK has a good record of deploying offshore wind generation. What I don’t understand is why we aren’t deploying wave power and tidal power generation? We have the most coastline per head of any major European country. Wave power never stops, unlike wind, it is more energy dense than wind, and it could have other benefits like reducing coastal erosion.

Tidal power solutions likewise are always available and energy dense. There is an ecological cost in habitats but a balance is needed here. Do we really think that the ecological cost of a tidal barrier is worse than a nuclear power station? There is an ecological cost to farmland too, but we need to eat, so we cut down all the forests we had in medieval times to make room for agriculture. We just need to make some room for power generation too.

1.55pm BST

The mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, received a warm applause at the city’s climate protest when he gave a speech pledging that “fracking is the past, it is not the future” – but by far the biggest cheers went to a 10-year-old girl called Lillia who took to the stage next.

The local schoolgirl, with a high-pitched Mancunian accent and fluorescent ear-defenders tied to her backpack, gave a rousing speech taking aim at politicians for their “lies” – before turning directly to Burnham.

Lies, when you don’t count the airport in the emission figures! Lies, when we have 1,200 air pollution related deaths in Manchester just last year – but they plan to build a huge car park right next door to a school in Ancoats.

Lies when the pension funds of Manchester are still investing £1.4bn in fossil fuel companies … Lies, in April the mayor Andy Burnham, when I asked if he would support us. I asked for more than publicity stunt pictures. Where’s the action?

Today I woke up to the images around the world of a million people striking and my heart lifted because I knew we weren’t alone in our fight. Thank you for coming out to support us. Thank you for having the courage to fight for our future!

To adults I say, you have the power to vote you need to keep amplifying our voices. We the youth cannot wait until we are old enough - we need action now.

Greater Manchester mayor @AndyBurnhamGM addresses climate protest: “My generation has failed you - and I include myself in that”. Loud cheer greets his declaration that “fracking is the past - it does not belong in the future.” pic.twitter.com/QeQqrUpAE4

1.41pm BST

Numbers at Berlin‘s Klimastreik have reached 100,000, it has just been announced.

Carola Rackete, the SeaWatch Captain who was arrested in Italy several weeks ago addressed Berlin’s Klimastreik, to huge applause.

We adults are responsible for the fact that the Earth is dying ... we should not be under the illusion that our individual actions can ... turn the situation around.

1.38pm BST

Sarah from Cardiff asked:

What are the advantages people will see and experience through the changes we need to make due to climate change? For example, I believe cycling rather than driving will make people healthier, shopping locally rather than online increases daily interactions. Do you envisage the activists and media managing to put this side of the crisis across?

Today is wonderful to see - the energy and passion - but how can you be sure we haven’t left it too late ? There is a climate doomosphere - I’m thinking Paul Beckwith, Peter Wadhams and others who suggest overwhelming events in the next decade or two. Can they be dismissed as fringe cranks?

1.37pm BST

Just to stand back from the breathless enthusiasm of the protests for a moment, our environment editor, Damian Carrington, has been pulling out a series of charts that highlight the scale of the challenge - and the beginnings of some solutions.

Perhaps the most important one is this: the planet’s average temperature started a steady climb two centuries ago, but has rocketed since the second world war as consumption and population has risen. Global heating means there is more energy in the atmosphere, making extreme weather events more frequent and more intense.

1.30pm BST

Today’s climate strikes highlight a crucial fact: that our actions in the next few years will decide the world’s future, and whether we can avoid the worst ravages of global heating or succumb to climate chaos.

We must effectively eliminate greenhouse gas emissions, and nurture the natural world enough to absorb the remainder, by mid-century to avoid a future of catastrophic and irreversible climate chaos. Extreme weather is already driving 2 million people a week to seek humanitarian aid, and that is set to rise to 150 million in the next decade alone.

1.24pm BST

Guardian environment journalist Fiona Harvey will be on hand to answer any questions you have about the climate crisis between 1.30pm and 2.30pm BST.

You can share your questions now via our form here, or in the comments below but please @Fiona so that they’ll be easier for us to find.

1.23pm BST

The ⁦⁦@guardian⁩ office at 12:28pm today #ClimateStrike pic.twitter.com/HbEQNwldvP

1.14pm BST

The US is set to stage its largest ever day of protest over the climate crisis, with tens of thousands of students set to be joined by adults in abandoning schools and workplaces for a wave of strikes across the country.

Climate strikes will take place in more than 1,000 locations, with major rallies in New York, Washington DC, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco and Miami.

1.12pm BST

A big difference on today’s march in London is the presence of trade union activists alongside young people and their parents, writes Guardian environment correspondent Matthew Taylor,

Graham Petersen, from the UCU lecturers’ union and member of the green jobs alliance, said unions had to take a lead in the climate fight.

This is going to be the defining issue for future generations and if we are not involved now how are we going to be relevant to the young people here today when they go into work.

In the UK it is difficult because people have their hands full with austerity and precarious jobs but unions are starting to realise that if we get the climate justice policies right we can tackle not just the climate but also a wider social justice issues.

Trade unionists join today’s climate march in London.
“This is going to be the defining issue for future generations and if we are not involved now how are we going to be relevant to the young people here today.” pic.twitter.com/JtxKByvwfc

It’s depressing knowing you’re waking up to not such a bright future. The climate crisis has always been in the back of my mind, but I always used to be a bit of a pessimist ... now that the movement has gained traction you get the feeling that you can change something.

It almost seems like a game for them [the politicians]. They aren’t taking it seriously. This isn’t for fun or just for the sake of it. It’s real and urgent.

I’m happy this is happening because at home we have a big haze problem, because of forests being burned in Borneo.

Borneo is burning. It has one of the oldest rainforest in the world and half of it is gone. We are really proud of our rainforests, but what is there to be proud of when it is gone?

1.03pm BST

A small but noisy crowd gathered in the financial district of Sandton in Johannesburg, outside the offices of Sasol, a huge South African energy and chemical company.

Natalie Kapsosideris, 16, said:

We don’t really have a way out of this. The future looks really dismal at this point. There’s not going to be a lot of food available, there will be droughts, floods, natural disasters. The fact that Sasol gets away with stealing our future from us ... and it’s all because they want to make money.

It’s important that I lend my voice to this cause ... a lot of people who aren’t as privileged as I am don’t have the opportunity to speak out against these sorts of issues, who live where the air is unbreathable, where toxic waste is dumped in rivers, those people don’t have a voice to speak out ... Also I am here to educate people about these issues and to get as much information from as many different places as I can ... I am going to try to diversify the way that I raise awareness ... I am going to use my social media a lot more effectively, I am going to centre my conversations with my friends, I am going to bring it up at the dinner table with my family ... because if every person tells one person then we can tell everybody.

12.57pm BST

Crowds of students in Delhi are blocking the road near to Lodhi Gardens, chanting: “What do we want? Climate justice.” “You can’t run away from climate change,” reads one sign.

Delhi is one of 21 cities predicted to run out of groundwater by 2020, according to the Indian government’s policy thinktank, Niti Aayog.

12.55pm BST

In Exeter, the protest is in full swing. Leon Hayton-Twigg, 11, (pictured below with his brother Lucas and his friend Ossian Finn, 10) says: “We have come here to show the people there’s a problem and we want it to stop.”

12.51pm BST

Archie Graham, 15, and his friends were supposed to be in school today but felt compelled to join Manchester’s climate strike, while still rocking their school ties.

He said:

What’s the point in going to school if we can’t use that knowledge in the future because there won’t be a future for us.

It’s really important because there’s no second chance - this is the only chance we have. If this carries on it’s just going to end.

I think it definitely does make a difference. They encourage us to learn about it but we all know about climate change - we don’t need to be educated about it, it’s more about taking action.

Why is this happening? Why is Boris Johnson not doing anything? Why do people not make good decisions about climate change?

There’s a real crisis right now, not in 10, 20 years time. Action is needed now so we’re trying to teach them if we come together and show our support hopefully we can make a change.

Archie Graham, 15, and his mates were supposed to be in school today: “What’s the point in going to school if we can’t use that knowledge in future because there won’t be a future for us?” pic.twitter.com/iydpMOSL19

12.44pm BST

Here is a selection of images from other climate strikers:

#ClimateStrike Bristol pic.twitter.com/y6xAxJEXjw

Huge turnout for today’s #ClimateStrike in Oxford - west end of Broadstreet and Cornmarket completely full pic.twitter.com/oBgb8WBrr1

Amazing scenes on Brighton sea front right now. This goes on for miles. pic.twitter.com/Z6BKVXYClN

#ClimateActionNow strikes already unfolding across the globe — these are some of the first views out of Australia of thousands taking to the streets for the global #climatestrike— major events in Ann Arbor and Detroit today. pic.twitter.com/iTjYTGIgK7

#Climatestrike #Paris pic.twitter.com/AKapTJB8FB

Thousands of protesters have come today to join the climate strike in #Dortmund. #ClimateStrike #FridaysForFuture #Klimastreiks pic.twitter.com/CfAUKpNcjn

12.34pm BST

Hello, this is Haroon Siddique taking over from Sarah. The video below shows a small proportion of the staff who walked out at the Guardian. If you want to get in touch, please tweet me @Haroon_Siddique

#ClimateStrike at the Guardian pic.twitter.com/MqoUDukDMD

11.58am BST

The Guardian live blog will be closing from noon (12:00 BST) until 12.30 BST as we are participating in a solidarity strike. When it resumes, my colleague Haroon Siddique will be taking over.

In an email to staff explaining why we are walking out for 30 minutes, Guardian editor in chief, Katharine Viner, said:

We fully support this global campaign, and we want colleagues to feel able to show solidarity with campaigners - so we are happy to support this activity across the organisation.

11.48am BST

Sadiq Khan is not the only mayor who has come out strongly behind today’s strikes.

The leaders of Paris, New York City, Los Angeles and Copenhagen released a strongly worded joint statement overnight.

Our shared planet is facing a climate emergency. The science is clear that, without urgent action, sea levels will rise further, extreme temperatures will become the norm and climate-related disasters will inflict even greater damage. We are making historic investments to prepare and adapt our cities to the inevitable consequences of emissions already released into the atmosphere.

When your house is on fire, somebody needs to sound the alarm. Young people in our cities, displaying incredible maturity and dignity are doing just that. School children are taking to the streets, drawing attention to the terrifying threat that climate breakdown poses to their future. Young people recognise just how unfair climate change is. Those who have generated the least greenhouse gas emissions, including the poorest, most disadvantaged and youngest in society, will suffer the worst effects of a rapidly changing global climate. They are right to sound the alarm, and they are right to demand action that tackles climate change and inequality simultaneously.

11.43am BST

Lovely thread by Mary Hamilton on what to do if you cannot make the strikes today but still want to make an effort to reduce your waste.

So for a little while I've been trying to reduce the amount of waste I produce, especially plastic, and of the various things I've tried there are two that make me happiest:
1) milk delivery
2) wormery

All of which is also by way of saying that if you - like me -can't #climatestrike today for whatever reason, there are other things you can do to join in. Not everyone can do worms or milk delivery obvs. Would love to hear more ideas.

Useful links!
Find a milk delivery service in your area: https://t.co/qCl1iG1iUV
Composting/wormeries: https://t.co/IMTdcZ8YBp works with some local councils, but usually easier to google [your local council] + "wormery" as each council seems to have its own scheme

11.40am BST

11.37am BST

Ruby, 10, and Dougie, 7, (pictured below), were the first to start striking outside the Scottish parliament, back on a cold dark 11 January. Back then it was just them and the police. Seeing how big the movement has become, Ruby says she feels “happy and proud”. “Amazing,” says Dougie.

11.35am BST

Staff at the Guardian will be striking today at noon, so there will be no posts on the live blog between 12:00 BST and 12:30 BST.

11.32am BST

The fashion industry is a fossil-fuel-guzzling operation, as many of our clothes are made from petroleum-based textiles such as polyester. Even natural fibres such as cotton have a huge carbon footprint and require a large portion of the world’s pesticides.

In a bid to solve this disastrous environmental equation, scientists and designers are creating completely new textiles from fast-growing, carbon-sucking organisms such as micro- and macro-algae, mycelium (elements of fungus), bacteria and fermented yeast. These new biotechnologies efficiently convert sunlight and CO2 into mass raw materials, suck carbon out of the atmosphere and pave the way to a carbon-negative wardrobe.

11.29am BST

Tens of thousands of young people and adults are already streaming into the streets around Westminster in central London, and organisers say the protest, which was formally due to start at 11am, already dwarfs previous school strike demonstrations.

Among those gathered in the sunshine were a group of medics. Isobel Braithwaite, a public health doctor from London, said they were there because the climate crisis was also a health crisis: “From heatwaves to floods; food shortages to devastating storms, these things are having a huge impact on health now and it is going to get worse.”

Medics join tens of thousands of climate strikers in London. “The climate crisis is a health crisis... we are running out of time.” pic.twitter.com/pDXL7jF9OP

11.24am BST

Glorious scenes in Edinburgh as thousands of children, parents, students and musicians gather at the Meadows for the Climate Strike.

“This is our Earth and our future. We need to take care of it,” said 11-year-old Leila Koita, pictured here with friends Eilidh Tedesco, Norah Turner, Tilly Torrie, Megan Berger and Nan Zhang.

Norah’s mum, Jo Spencely, says she hasn’t been on a demo for decades but she is here to show support. “I’m massively concerned about their future. I almost can’t bear to read about the climate. It’s so scary.”

The march sets off at 11:30am and will pass through Edinburgh city centre and end with a rally in front of the Scottish parliament. As in London, police have imposed restrictions, in this case by refusing permission for the marchers to walk down Princes Street.

As elsewhere, this is just the start of a week of climate action. On Saturday, activists will stage a “die in”, Monday will be a “day of disruption”, musicians will join a “Love the Planet festival” on Wednesday, and there’ll be another rally outside parliament the following day.

11.19am BST

Even Emmeline Pankhurst has joined in the protests in Manchester. A statue of the suffragette hero has donned a bright orange lifejacket and has a placard that asks: “Ready for rising sea levels to reach this height?”

The stunt was the idea of Katie Bradshaw and Ryan Griffiths, both 31, who described themselves as first-protesters who felt the need to act today.

“Emmeline still carries that Mancunian spirit of standing up for what she believes in and great causes,” said Griffiths. “Climate change is so important and we think it’s an issue she would be at the forefront of if she were around today.”

Bradshaw added: “We’ve got to do our bit, even if it’s just putting some signs up and making people realise we need to look after our planet. If she was around today she’d be supporting it.”

Emmeline Pankhurst showing the world the way in Manchester pic.twitter.com/Z1TFjYCAuN

11.12am BST

Friends of the Earth, an international network of environmental organisations in 74 countries, is calling on people across Britain to join young people in striking against climate change.

Muna Suleiman, a Friends of the Earth campaigner, said:

Most of us want to fix the climate crisis. And it can be done. But we need our politicians to act. Climate breakdown is already hurting people around the world, with many of those who have contributed least to the crisis being subjected to the harshest impacts.

“And right when we need our leaders to step up, they continue to let us down. From filling the skies with more planes, to backing fracking in the UK and funding oil and gas projects abroad.

11.08am BST

Bob Dylan’s Blowin’ in the Wind kicks off Berlin’s “Klimastreik” to huge cheers from the thousands gathered, although no official estimates of the numbers attending are available yet.

Contender for banner of the day is: ‘Grandpa what is a snowman?’ Hundreds of people are streaming through the portals of the Brandenburg Gate, through the Tiergarten Park and from every direction onto Platz des 18. März.

11.05am BST

At 1pm, the student strikers are planning to let off alarm clocks across the UK, and are encouraging businesses to set off their fire alarms at the same time in support.

Jake Woodier, the campaign co-ordinator at UK Student Climate Network, said: “Young people across the world have taken the lead in highlighting the need for urgent climate action over the past year.

“They are calling for adults to join them for the global climate strike, just three days before the UN climate action summit to pressure our governments to act to tackle the climate crisis.

“Raise the Alarm will help draw attention to the climate emergency in workplaces across the breadth of the UK,” Woodier said.

11.02am BST

Students at Torquay Girls’ Grammar school have made a video about climate change.

10.55am BST

What’s the carbon footprint of my trip?

10.51am BST

The square outside Manchester’s grand central library has been taken over by a sea of people carrying homemade placards and chanting. Hundreds of those gathered sang “Whose planet? Our planet!” with scores of children among the protesters.

Nellie Jacobs, 10, and her mother Helen said they were motivated to take part in the global climate strike after their hometown Whaley Bridge was evacuated earlier this month when it was deluged with months-worth of rain in a short period, causing a dam to burst and dozens of properties to flood.

Nellie Jacobs, 10, and her mum Helen felt compelled to be at the climate strike in Manchester after the serious flooding in their hometown Whaley Bridge this month pic.twitter.com/sNjlmRcXKb

10.51am BST

Nice cartoon just in from reader Jesse Leonard. You get the picture, literally. Possibly the first time the climate crisis has been likened to a purple piano, but why not?

10.50am BST

The Kichwa tribe in the Sarayaku region of the Amazon in Ecuador believe in the “living forest”, where humans, animals and plants live in harmony. They are fighting oil companies who want to exploit their ancestral land. A delegation of indigenous people are at the Paris COP21 climate conference to make sure their voices are heard. Can they win their battle?

10.46am BST

Tweeting a photo from a climate strike, the Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, said:

Young people here and across the world are making it impossible to ignore the environment and climate emergency.

This is the wonderful youth #ClimateStrike in my constituency - now I'm on my way to the main London demonstration. pic.twitter.com/GI1AniUnpb

10.43am BST

Kate Connolly, the Guardian and Observer’s Berlin correspondent, has been out this morning in the German capital.

Crowds gathering now at Brandenburg Gate. Lots of kids who are missing school, some with teachers’ blessing, many without pic.twitter.com/zcvOhYMM9U

Climate activist Robin Wood performing the most precarious feat of the day so far by hanging over the A100 Berlin motorway under the banner “clean cars - a pure lie” https://t.co/JbWxaIu0II

10.37am BST

Strikes are planned for at least seven Nigerian cities, such as Lagos, which is clogged by mountains of toxic waste including thousands of tons of e-waste from the EU, particularly the UK and Germany. There will be a protest in Port Harcourt, capital of the country’s oil-producing region, whose residents and their possessions have been covered in soot for the past few years, believed to be the result of destroying illegal oil refineries.

There will also be two protests against a proposed coal plant in San Pedro in Ivory Coast, while in Ghana, a group called Young Reporters for the Environment is leading a march from the city hall of the capital, Accra.

10.32am BST

Environmental activists Greta Thunberg and George Monbiot have helped produce a short film highlighting the need to protect, restore and use nature to tackle the climate crisis.

10.21am BST

Berlin’s main transport line, the S-Bahn, has virtually ground to a halt this morning due to a major engineering breakdown leaving many protesters stranded and unable to reach the protest. Participants are being encouraged to take their bikes instead. Many have pointed out the irony.

Meanwhile, at the Brandenburg Gate, scene of the main protest in Berlin that is due to kick off just before noon, protesters have been organised into neat blocks.

10.15am BST

Apart from the huge crowds of protesters, the other uplifting piece of climate news today is that onshore wind has just became the cheapest source of energy in the UK. Industry analysts can’t believe how quickly the price has fallen. This shows the transition away from fossil fuels is much more affordable than people dared hope five years ago.

On the business side of things, also encouraging to note efforts by companies with a green reputation, who seem to be competing to do more by selling less.

The Patagonia outdoor clothing store will close all its European outlets today and next Friday so staff can join the protests. Ben & Jerry’s and Lush also shutting today.

Burton, the winter sports chain, is giving workers a paid day off to join the strike and have halted online sales for 24 hours. The company’s webpage today reads “Closed for business. Open for action. Let’s protect our playground.”

10.07am BST

In London, where big crowds are expected to gather near Westminster from 11am, the London mayor, Sadiq Khan, has thrown his weight behind today’s strikes.

He told the Guardian this morning he fully supports schools across the city who are “working with pupils and allowing them time, without sanction, to peacefully and lawfully join the strikes today”.

“It is unbelievable that we need strike action for the future of our planet to be taken seriously by government’s around the world,” he said.

10.02am BST

Berlin has kicked off its Fridays For Future this morning with road blockades, cycle rallies and a demonstration in front of the cuboid
chancellery of Angela Merkel, where about 40 young people have unfurled a banner asking: “Return of the climate chancellor?”

9.56am BST

When there is protest in Berlin, there is usually also techno, and from 3pm a “Rave Rebellion” march will depart from Potsdamer Platz square, under the motto “No Future No Dancefloor”. Extinction Rebellion has announced plans to block traffic at strategic points “where it will hurt drivers” around the capital.

Elsewhere, 400 protests have been announced across the country, which will likely attracts adults as well as children. An umbrella organisation that includes organisations such as “Psychologists for Future”, “Entrepreneurs for Future” and “Grandparents for Future” has called for people to join in, as has the services union Verdi and the German Protestant Church. “We stand side by side with Fridays for Future”, said Annette Kurschus, the president of the Protestant Church of Westphalia, “Planet Earth does not belong to us, it has only been entrusted in our care”.

9.54am BST

The planet’s average temperature started a steady climb two centuries ago, but has rocketed since the second world war as consumption and population has risen. Global heating means there is more energy in the atmosphere, making extreme weather events more frequent and more intense.

9.52am BST

Heatwaves, droughts and floods are likely in the future if urgent action isn’t taken to stop climate change, experts warn.

It comes as strikes take place across the world on Friday, calling on governments to take immediate action on climate change. The demonstrates have been planned ahead of the landmark UN climate action summit in New York on 23 September

This week, the United Nations general assembly will be discussing how to encourage countries to be more ambitious in their targets to reduce future emissions of greenhouse gases. It’s clear that increased effort is needed if we are to avoid significant climate change impacts.

We’re probably already seeing some of the consequences of climate change – heatwaves, wildfires, unusually slow and intense hurricanes – and things will get much worse if we continue on our current path of increasing emissions.

We are coming to the end of another decade. Each of the past four decades has, when averaged over the whole planet, been 0.1 to 0.2 degrees celsius warmer than the decade before; carbon dioxide levels have continued their relentless rise; and methane levels have grown much more rapidly than in the previous decade. Unless things start to change markedly over the coming decade, it is going to get harder and harder to meet the goals of the UN’s Paris agreement on climate change.”

9.46am BST

Protests taking place in Johannesburg, South Africa’s biggest city and capital of Gauteng province.

Johannesburg #climatestrike is being led by the powerful voices of young people calling for climate justice.

We have no choice but to act now if we are to protect our future. We must stand together with the youth to fight carbon capitalism. pic.twitter.com/SGqjZxGSRk

9.42am BST

The Guardian environment journalist Fiona Harvey will be on hand to answer any questions you have about the climate crisis between 1.30 and 2.30pm BST. You can share your questions now via our form here, or in the comments below but please @Fiona so that they’ll be easier for us to find.

9.41am BST

With hundreds of thousands of children joining the global youth strike in cities around the globe, Extinction Rebellion UK said it stands in solidarity with all those striking.

Caspar Hughes, 48, a Extinction Rebellion activist and father of school striker Max, 12, said: “Parents have left their children to clear up the climate and ecological crisis they have created. The youth should be out partying rather than protesting.”

9.36am BST

Jonathan Watts, the Guardian’s global environment editor, has written about young activists calling for north-south solidarity to the tackle climate emergency. He writes:

While previous generations failed to notice the slowly shifting baselines, today’s young will watch the sixth great wave of extinction accelerate before their eyes. Due to warming seas and acid bleaching, coral reef systems will flicker out one by one. Species that existed for millions of years will tip into the abyss. Among those closest to the edge are the black rhino, the Chinese giant salamander, the Siberian crane, the Western gorilla, the Ganges dolphin, Bactrian camels, Pygmi sloths and Attenborough’s long-beaked echidna. Thousands of species of insects, plants and amphibians may go extinct before they are discovered. For many young people today, their only chance of seeing unspoiled beaches, savannahs, reefs and forests will be on old documentaries, 3D interactives or their grandparents’ holiday videos. Picturesque landscapes that defined communities and nations will be transformed.

9.30am BST

The climate change strikes have spread far and wide, including the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific.

Amazing photos coming in from the Solomon Islands where they’re kicking off the Global #ClimateStrikes. pic.twitter.com/Ul4SZ4XDWY

9.24am BST

By William Yang in Taipei

In Taiwan, dozens of representatives from primary schools, high schools, and universities gathered in the capital, Taipei, to launch a petition called “Fridays for the future”. The aim of it is to press candidates in the upcoming presidential election to lay out concrete policies to mitigate climate change risks that Taiwan faces.

9.20am BST

People are taking to the streets in Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh, in southern Asia. Climate change in Bangladesh is a pressing issue. According to National Geographic, Bangladesh is one the most vulnerable nations to the impacts of climate change.

#ClimateStrike in Dhaka, Bangladesh. pic.twitter.com/3kGdSlKFMT

9.18am BST

Millions are marching across the globe in what could be the largest climate protest in history.

The first of the worldwide protests took place in Australia, where an estimated 300,000 people gathered at more than 100 rallies calling for action to guard against climate change. Other demonstrations were held across parts of Asia.

In the UK, children and young people across the country will walk out of lessons and lectures They will be joined by hundreds of thousands of workers. The school strikes movement was sparked by the teenage activist Greta Thunberg who demonstrated at the Swedish parliament.

The first large-scale protests of Friday’s “global climate strike” took place in Sydney and Canberra, with demonstrators calling on leaders in Australia, the world’s largest exporter of coal and liquid natural gas, to take more drastic action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Similar rallies are planned for around the world, with 800 events set to take place in the US and 400 in Germany.

The protests come ahead of a climate summit at the UN next week convened by the secretary general, António Guterres, to urge countries to up their climate efforts. Much stronger measures are needed across the globe to prevent temperature rises of more than 1.5C (2.7F) or 2C (3.6F) to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “It is unbelievable that we should need global strike action for the future of our planet to be taken seriously. The stark reality is that our climate is changing rapidly and we are running out of time to address it.

“I hope governments around the world who are failing to take action hear the voices of millions of people, young and old, unified in their call for action to save our planet. Our future depends on it.”

9.13am BST

The level of CO2 has been rising since the industrial revolution and is at its highest for about 4 million years. The rate of the rise is even more striking – the fastest for 66m years– with scientists saying we are in “uncharted territory”.

9.09am BST

Strikes are also taking place in Uganda, east Africa.

Today we rise. @JacobOulanyah. Today the children rise.The @LilGreenHandsUg children rise up for the kind of future they want to inherit. A Green Sustainabile future! #ClimateStrike #GoGreenUg pic.twitter.com/9h1gRhAOXv

#ClimateStrikeKE underway in Nairobi. Young climate activists demand action against global warming. Demand that the Kenyan government tops plans for a coal power plant. #SABCNews pic.twitter.com/nEStraE0TK

Our planet is in trouble. That’s why we in Nairobi are all coming together to defend it against the #ClimateEmergency. Stand in solidarity with us by sharing this with your friends and family.#ClimateStrike #ClimateStrikeKE pic.twitter.com/fqrcPSNJ8h

“I had a heart-to-heart with our Mother (Nature) and she said to me, son, you need me more than I need you.”

Activists rally in Nairobi, Kenya as the #GlobalClimateStrike makes its way to Africa #CoveringClimateNow #ClimateStrike pic.twitter.com/V7zsow5bWi

9.04am BST

Events in Italy will be held throughout the coming week, culminating with demonstrations in more than 100 cities on Friday 27 September.

“Italian schools only went back last week and we needed some time to plan and mobilise, so we voted to hold the major demonstrations on the 27th,” said David Wicker, a representative of the Turin branch of Fridays for Future Italia.

8.58am BST

Emmanuel Macron’s government has set the object of making France carbon-neutral by 2050. However, greenhouse gas emissions have risen in the country since 2015, and in 2017 were said to be 7% above official targets. Climate change activists say Macron has gone back on promises.

Sceptics doubt claims the government would renovate 500,000 buildings a year to use less energy and are angry at what is seen as bowing to the powerful agriculture lobby over pesticides.

8.51am BST

A government minister said he cannot endorse children leaving school to take part in the climate strikes.

Minister for business, energy and clean growth Kwasi Kwarteng told BBC Breakfast on Friday that he supported the “energy and creativity” of students but said time spent in school was “incredibly important”.

8.49am BST

Here are the final exclusive Twitter figures for the climate strike in Australia.

This has been your day on #climatestrike, Australia! No1 trending in Australia for 8hrs, and current top 7 trends all related to @strikeclimate:
1. #ClimateStrike
2. #schoolstrike4climate
3. #ClimateAction
4. #FridaysForFuture
5. Treasury Gardens
6. Hobart
7. #notbusinessasusual

Australia & Pacific are done, now the world picks up the #GlobalClimateStrike light. This is what the #schoolstrike4climate conversation has looked like on Twitter in the past 3 days leading up to the #ClimateStrike!

Global live coverage continues here: https://t.co/rViiPMOgWR pic.twitter.com/svzvhdsQNM

8.42am BST

There is a lot planned for South Africa today, with demonstrations in Johannesburg, the commercial capital, on the south-eastern coast in Durban, in Pretoria, and in Cape Town, where there’ll be a march on parliament.

Ayakha Melithafa, 17, said she would be joining the global strike in Cape Town.The march won’t start until early afternoon to allow students to finish most of the school day.

“We’ll be marching to parliament to demand that the government take this issue seriously. It needs to declare a climate emergency here in South Africa, and a moratorium on coal, gas and oil mining licences. They have just ignored the problem so far,” Melithafa said.

South Africa is one of the continent’s most developed economies and relies heavily on coal powered energy generation. It is building new and very big coal-fired power stations.

“We have arranged with our teachers to leave early. it is up to us. We are the leaders of today. We don’t just want the system to change. We want a brand new system which will help us live sustainably with a bright new future,” Melithafa said.

8.38am BST

A roundup of what is happening around Europe on Friday:

8.28am BST

The strikes take place ahead of the UN general assembly and the climate action summit on 23 September. The summit will bring together governments, the private sector, civil society, local authorities and other international organisations to develop ambitious solutions.

8.19am BST

Are you taking part in a climate strike or marking the day in any way? If so, we’d like to hear from you. Tell us what you’re doing and where and share any photos and videos via our reader call out here. If you prefer you can also share via WhatsApp by adding the contact +44(0)7867825056. Only the Guardian will see your responses and we will include some of your stories in our ongoing coverage.

8.12am BST

Activists on bicycles block traffic at Ernst-Reuter-Platz square in Berlin, Germany, as they take part in the global climate strike today.

8.06am BST

There will be a “special takeover” of Channel 4’s usual evening weather report today, as the network joins the world’s largest climate strike. The channel’s social media accounts will also join the walkout, bosses said, and will be going on strike between 9.30am and 5.30pm.

Additionally, continuity announcers will share facts drawn from World Meteorological Organisation research throughout the day on Channel 4. No details were given on the nature of the weather forecast’s “special takeover”.
Across Britain, thousands will take part in a march. Worldwide, campaigners say there are more than 3,400 events planned in 120 countries, with numbers taking part expected to surpass the estimated 1.6 million people who took part in the global strike in March.

8.01am BST

The outdoor apparel brand Patagonia is closing every store worldwide to encourage employees and customers to join the climate strike.

Demonstrators from more than 150 countries are expected to put pressure on governments and decision-makers to do more about climate issues.

7.52am BST

The Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, will today thank young people for educating the world about the climate crisis. Speaking at the youth climate strike, Corbyn will also criticise the prime minister, Boris Johnson, for calling global warming a “primitive fear”.

To the young people leading by example today here and across the world, I want to say thank you: thank you for educating us about the climate crisis and the emergency of species extinction and biodiversity loss.

I know the situation can look bleak. We have a prime minister that has called global warming a ‘primitive fear without foundation’. The US president is a full-blown climate denier, putting our planet in danger by pulling out of the Paris climate agreement. And the Amazon is on fire, looted by big corporations with a Brazilian president watching on who doesn’t care.

7.48am BST

I will be picking up the live blog from the Guardian’s London offices. Please share any photographs or comments from where you are with me: sarah.marsh@theguardian.com

7.42am BST

I’ll be handing over the blog now to my colleague Sarah Marsh. There are still hundreds of places, thousands of students and hours of protest to come.

Stay with us as the strikes sweep across Asia, Africa and Europe, and into the Americas. There will also be plenty more Australian news and analysis to come.

22000 people in Hobart, Tasmania... And this is Sydney still gathering!!!#ClimateStrike #FridaysForFuture https://t.co/wt5YPuGRL7

7.36am BST

As our Australian coverage wraps up, here’s a great round-table discussion from some Brisbane students.

"That was insane!": Post-#climatestrike debrief with Lestyn Harries (13), Owynn Harries (11), Haemish Lander-McBride (13), Oscar Lander-McBride (10) Zachary Brown (13) and Jackson Warren (13). pic.twitter.com/X3eH4lv0bu

7.27am BST

This from the headmaster of Sydney's Newington College, on why he allowed his students to attend #ClimateStrike #FridaysForFuture pic.twitter.com/R2JiXuTvsr

We have 3 demands:
1. No new coal, oil and gas projects, including the Adani mine.
2. 100% renewable energy generation, and exports by 2030
3. Fund a just transition and job creation for all fossil-fuel workers and communities#ClimateStrike pic.twitter.com/4DUCqbjudt

7.21am BST

They’ve finally started marching in Melbourne. And here’s our video wrap of the thousands on the streets today.

7.16am BST

More from First Dog:

4.55am BST

Over on 2GB in Sydney and 4BC in Brisbane this morning Alan Jones was keeping a sceptical eye on the climate strike. “If you ask some of these people what it was about they wouldn’t have a clue,” Jones said without actually asking any of the strikers that question.

An elderly caller suggested the children’s minds were being manipulated just like those of the Hitler Youth in Germany decades ago.

4.49am BST

Former Queensland Greens senator Andrew Bartlett has this estimate:

Ive been to 100s of rallies over the years. I’m certain today’s #Strike4Climate is easily the biggest protest in #Brisbane since the main rally against the Iraq war in 2003. https://t.co/Y6pDJBsDb0

Hard to estimate numbers from where I am, but definitely looks like the biggest one in Sydney since the stop the war one in 2003

4.49am BST

The Brisbane rally keeps growing. People are still streaming in 30 minutes after the posted start time and police have had to shut roads on two sides of Queens Park. Hard to guess at a crowd figure, but comfortably over 10,000 at this point.

This is not, of course, an anti-government rally, but there’s certainly no love for the coal embrace of the Queensland government. And notably, there are at least a half dozen left-wing unions here.

The Electrical Trades Union has just taken a swipe, officials complaining the government has let the private sector do the heavy lifting on renewables, and giving a strong endorsement of climate action.

4.43am BST

Pacific climate warriors: “I have a right to set foot on my islands... to see its beauty and everything it has to give. My generation and generations to come have a right to stand on the same soil our ancestors did.”#ClimateStrike #sydney pic.twitter.com/b6asT8WDL1

4.36am BST

Rebecca Ratcliffe in Delhi writes:

Students protesters in India have a long list of demands for their political leaders. The air in many of its cities is infamously toxic, poor waste management is putting lives at risk and water shortages have reached crisis levels.

4.34am BST

Big turnout in Thailand – and a reminder that many of the protests in Asia will be kicking into gear soon as well.

We are walking to the Ministry of Resources and Environment to demand a safe climate #FridaysForFuture #ClimateStrikeThailand #ClimateStrike #ClimateEmergency pic.twitter.com/WzHUuEOESm

4.32am BST

Wait no, maybe this one:

The Melbourne #ClimateStrike starts in Treasury Gardens soon. Fatima, 19: “Whatever we do in the next few months will decide what the future is going to look like.

“We can put our all in to switch to renewables and go down a greener path, or it’s going to be bad for everyone.” pic.twitter.com/JH704W6qD4

4.29am BST

Calling the winner now

Some @lizzo vibes at Sydney climate strike. #schoolstrike4climate #sydney #sign pic.twitter.com/iHmoEbCedp

4.26am BST

Meanwhile the Brisbane protest has broken its banks and people are streaming down the streets.

Queens Park can no longer hold the Brisbane #ClimateStrike pic.twitter.com/FI4hzxSuuw

Brisbane #ClimateStrike pic.twitter.com/AZdRaJkvZj

4.25am BST

There’s already a crowd at Treasury Gardens for the Melbourne school strike which kicks off at 2pm. Thea Hamilton, 16, is one of the organisers.

“I’m really excited and hopefully we’ll be able to get some really good action out of this and get more people involved in climate action and climate justice,” she says.

4.20am BST

Continuing our series. EnergyAustralia has agreed to take a question from a climate striker. Along with Queensland’s Stanwell Corporation, it is the other one of Australia’s top 10 carbon emitters to agree to take a question.

Josh O’Callaghan, 15, from Adelaide asks:

What are the future initiatives that your company plans to put in place to have 100% renewable energy production?

Thanks Josh. Designing and building a 100% renewable energy system is a huge challenge for Australia. I think Australians are up for the challenge. Your home state of South Australia has solar and wind already providing over half of the electricity supplied to South Australians.

In planning for 100% renewables, the first 50% is easier than the second 50%. Solar and wind generation follow the sun and the wind, so when it is not sunny and windy we can’t produce power for customers.

4.12am BST

In Sydney Daisy, 17, tells the crowd their frustration has never been about people working in the fossil-fuel industry. Their demand is “about acting to halt this crisis while creating safe and meaningful work for all of us”.

INCREDIBLE pic.twitter.com/BBFoYUd76o

4.11am BST

And let’s not forget the regions.

More photos from Lismore from Frewoini Baume:

Good turn out for #ClimateStrike in #Albury pic.twitter.com/lEhazJ4Ofw

4.04am BST

The crowd in Sydney is getting so big you can really only see it from the air.

From a different angle. pic.twitter.com/onk7kVfqyH

Perth climate strike #ClimateStrike pic.twitter.com/aZO7SmBaZn

Amazing to join colleagues and friends at #schoolstrike4climate in #Canberra today - proud of a community standing for a safe climate future @EnergyEstate pic.twitter.com/bHd4PIvj3i

4.03am BST

This is the third nationwide climate strike in Australia – after November 2018 and March 2019. They get bigger every time.

Organisers say there are some 22,000 people at Hobart’s global climate rally - they say this is the biggest strike action Tasmania has ever seen @abchobart pic.twitter.com/CUGpg85V46

The crowd is reportedly over 22,000. Bob Brown at this count has said it is larger then the Franklin River rally. Making this the largest rally in Tasmania held to date.

3.58am BST

It’s all happening.

Brisbane. #ClimateStrike pic.twitter.com/KrJzLNtzfA

Lots of babies at this protest. They don’t even have jobs! #ClimateStrike pic.twitter.com/q3J3MwFYPz

Big turnout at Gosford #ClimateStrike (pic via my dad) pic.twitter.com/06ekkdErkR

The largest street protest in Hobart since the FRANKLIN River - 22,000 people demanding Climate Action Now #politas #ClimateStrike pic.twitter.com/xqjSlwN7Ci

3.53am BST

Another must-watch, exclusive to Guardian Australia:

Harriet O'Shea Carre is one of the original school strikers from Castlemaine. She is in New York for the UN Climate Summit. Harriet is also seeking a meeting with @AIGinsurance to voice her concern over their involvement with the Adani coal mine. #ClimateStrike pic.twitter.com/VSnPKCcwKs

Incredible pictures as Australia’s gathering for the #climatestrike
This is the huge crowd building up in Sydney.
Australia is setting the standard!
Its bedtime in New York...so please share as many pictures as you can as the strikes move across Asia to Europe and Africa! pic.twitter.com/7eAPUQPq5C

3.51am BST

If you are Gen X or above, then you can laugh at the latest from First Dog on the Moon instead*:

3.43am BST

I’m a millennial / Gen Z so I understand these signs. If you don’t, rest assured they are very funny.

pic.twitter.com/adDN1uioJb

3.41am BST

In Brisbane, here’s Parker with his message to the government – and a great poem.

How cool is Parker #climatestrike pic.twitter.com/1OqOAOMqTs

3.38am BST

The award for best sign is getting more competitive every minute. Here is Matilda (3).

3.35am BST

Sydney’s strikes have started but aren’t even at full swing, Melbourne’s starts in 1.5 hours, and preparations have begun in Perth.

Earlier today we saw huge turnouts in regional areas, including Alice Springs and Byron Bay.

Protesters have already started gathering in #Perth for today’s #ClimateStrike !!! pic.twitter.com/8bOlPSI31B

3.29am BST

Angus Taylor has also agreed to take a question.

From Josh O’Callaghan, 15, from Adelaide:

It is said that ‘if those who believe in climate change are wrong, we will have needlessly created a cleaner world, but if those who don’t believe in climate change are wrong, we will die’. Do you agree? If so, how should we act on this?

The federal government is taking strong action to reduce global emissions and respond to the serious challenge of climate change.

The government’s $3.5bn climate solutions package sets out how we will meet our 2030 Paris target, down to the last tonne.

3.25am BST

Reporter Helen Davidson is on the ground in Sydney:

Clover Moore on the way to the Sydney #climatestrike“it’s so inspiring to see so many people heading towards the domain.” pic.twitter.com/LVifb0FG0z

Rose from Glenmore Rd Paddington public school #climatestrike“the government has to stop doing nothing about climate change” pic.twitter.com/DeJctJAjd1

3.23am BST

Our first dispatches from Amelia Neylon in Hobart:

Photos and great signs from the Hobart #climatestrike from Amelia Neylon (16) pic.twitter.com/l4Q2c5DMmC

My son is in the Domain for the #ClimateStrike today. Here’s his first video pic.twitter.com/PhEPD61lG2

3.17am BST

Esther in Byron Bay has interviewed her fellow strikers. Must-watch.

Esther Plummer (13 years old) interviews fellow climate strikerJasper (15 years old) about why he is attending the #ClimateStrike in Byron Bay. pic.twitter.com/YTrFpOJrC3

3.11am BST

First images in from Hobart:

A huge crowd has gathered on Hobart’s Parliament Lawns for the #ClimateStrike #politas pic.twitter.com/ySfzAD2TCR

1000s here in Hobart #ClimateStrike pic.twitter.com/L8aM36LRrR

3.05am BST

Sydney’s strike is scheduled to start at noon.

Huge crowds are still making their way to the city. This could take some time and is looking immense.

Massive crowds heading to Sydney Domain for the #climatestrike #schoolsstrike4climate pic.twitter.com/NoEdvBq5KU

Massive crowds building in #Sydney #ClimateStrike @SBSNews pic.twitter.com/Vhy1PI6d40

3.04am BST

Some footage from Thailand:

#FridaysForFuture #ClimateStrikeThailand #ClimateStrike #ClimateEmergency pic.twitter.com/MC7dB0wLnc

3.02am BST

Continuing our Q&A series is Labor’s spokesman on climate change and energy, Mark Butler.

Frewoini Baume, 18, from Lismore asks:

Permanent destruction for temporary economic gain is not a sustainable or stable economy. Why are you supporting the coal industry when it has been scientifically proven to be unsustainable? Yes, the economy may temporarily suffer but the longer you wait the more severe the impact. So why not act now?

The Labor party remains deeply committed to taking climate action to make sure that we comply with the commitments to future generations in the Paris agreement – to keep global warming way below 2 degrees and to pursue efforts around 1.5 degrees to make sure that we are at net zero emissions by the middle of the century.

There is no denying that Australia needs to drastically reduce its carbon emissions, but after coming down by more than 10% when Labor was last in office, emissions have been rising ever since the election of Tony Abbott, and the government’s own data shows they will keep rising all the way to 2030.

2.54am BST

Some more charts, this time Australia-specific from our data editor, Nick Evershed:

This first shows warming in Australia, measuring how different the temperature is in a given year against the long-term average. Put simply, it demonstrates how things are getting hotter, and 2018 was the third-hottest year:

2.45am BST

And some early data from Twitter:

#EXCLUSIVE: The first #climatestrike data is in! This is how the school strike conversation has lit up across Australia over the the last 3 days to now.

Follow our #schoolstrike4climate live blog here: https://t.co/rViiPMOgWR
Data via @TwitterAU #FridaysForFuture pic.twitter.com/ljPWK4yxQN

2.44am BST

An on-the-ground sketch from First Dog on the Moon

2.38am BST

You may have noticed the arresting temperature chart at the top of our site this morning – I know I did.

https://t.co/zq9DZH3JOt pic.twitter.com/F7kd5Rj3UA

2.31am BST

In Lismore Frewoini Baume has interviewed Suhani Sheppeard, 16.

FB:“Why are you striking?”

2.28am BST

Jotham Napat, Vanuatu’s deputy prime minister, delivered his speech in English “because the people who need to hear this, the ones who are causing the problems, are not here”.

According to the Vanuatu Posts’ Dan McGarry, Napat named the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan and New Zealand as the ones who are “to blame for this threat to our survival”.

VU FM Ralph Regenvanu takes the gloves off. Describing the standoff in Tuvalu as a 'fight' with Australia, he promises to bring the nation's climate grievances to the ICJ to seek legal redress. #ClimateStrike #ClimateEmergency pic.twitter.com/tNk5HEHqcC

2.18am BST

In Albury the march will head to the office of the environment minister, Sussan Ley.

Albury #ClimateStrike. Will compile on the thread below. We will be marching to @sussanley's office #FridaysForFuture pic.twitter.com/bFcKkyPlVq

2.16am BST

Our first Q&A is in. The Stanwell Corporation is one of Australia’s biggest energy companies. EnergyAustralia and Stanwell were the only members of Australia’s top 10 carbon emitters who agreed to take a question for our live blog today.

Narii Hamill-Salmon, 15, from the Gold Coast asks:

The Stanwell Corporation was named as the nation’s third largest carbon emitter in 2017-18 [by the Clean Energy Regulator] thus making the company a significant contributor to the climate crisis.

Mr Van Breda, if you could say one thing to the future generations of this planet, the ones who are going to experience the most devastating impacts of climate change, what would you tell them?”

Thanks for your question, Narii. I think a lot about that, and here’s what I would tell future generations about the work we do at Stanwell.

The electricity industry is at a tricky time in its transition to lower carbon technologies. The proportion of low carbon energy and storage in Australia is increasing quickly, but those technologies are not yet at a point where they can function without support from fossil fuel generation.

2.08am BST

And Frewoini Baume, 18, has sent through the first few images of the Lismore strikes.

2.03am BST

If people want a last minute sign for the climate strike First Dog on the Moon says you can print this out on vegan paper and wave it about.

2.00am BST

More dispatches from Esther in Byron:

Video from Esther Plummer (13) of the Byron Bay #climatestrike pic.twitter.com/ettK3Ms785

1.56am BST

There are big contingents and great photos coming in from all across the Pacific – especially Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands right now.

'No climate peace' - Vanuatu government will announce that is prepared to take polluting 'countries and corporations' to court to safeguard the lives of the people of Vanuatu. #ClimateStrike #ClimateEmergency pic.twitter.com/tbtJwavR2b

Amazing photos coming in from the Solomon Islands where they’re kicking off the Global #ClimateStrikes. pic.twitter.com/Ul4SZ4XDWY

These young people in the Solomon Islands have done absolutely nothing to cause the climate crisis.

But as their slogan goes: they’re not drowning, they’re fighting.

Join them. #ClimateStrike pic.twitter.com/5NSliWkwtd

1.51am BST

And in Castlemaine, Victoria, where this all began (in Australia at least), there are no signs of slowing.

Some of the early Castlemaine contingent heading to the #ClimateStrike in Melbourne.

Its going to be a huge day. pic.twitter.com/BQUcVH1nSz

1.47am BST

Early signs from University of Sydney:

Here are the three winners of our slogan contest #USYDSoc #GlobalClimateStrike pic.twitter.com/VEUgDuB9sr

1.45am BST

In Gloucester New South Wales we have an early contender for best costume today (the sunflower).

Some pint-sized #climatestrike protesters in Gloucester. by Caroline Davidson pic.twitter.com/AdVDpV6qbr

1.29am BST

Absolutely huge turnout in Geelong where they’re singing and chanting.

At Geelong City Hall for the #ClimateStrike . Huge turnout pic.twitter.com/AA5Pbdo151

“No planet B” song at Geelong #ClimateStrike pic.twitter.com/5xrMAXkSzc

Townsville locals #Strike4Climate, not a single southern latte-sipper in sight. pic.twitter.com/VjAYF9qfrB

1.26am BST

First Barnesy now The Oils:

We support today’s #climatestrike - "it happens to be an emergency". Look at these average annual temps (dark red = hottest years). For everyone, especially the young, we are now at the crossroads. pic.twitter.com/k9XZoL44oE

1.23am BST

In Vanuatu:

"We're fighting, not drowning'

Climate strike gets under way in Vanuatu. #ClimateEmergency pic.twitter.com/74C5ctoMLD

1.22am BST

The Knitting Nannas are already down in Lismore.

1.17am BST

Our first student on the ground Esther Plummer (13)has sent pictures from Byron Bay.

1.15am BST

It’s early morning in the Pacific. Soon the sun will rise on September 20th 2019. Good luck Australia, The Philippines, Japan and all the Pacific islands. You go first! Now lead the way!#fridaysforfuture #climatestrike #schoolstrike4climate
(NZ + many others go next week.) pic.twitter.com/u1pji4SySN

1.10am BST

Earlier we said 1,000 businesses are supporting the strike. That number is now 2,600, with the latest figures from Not Business As Usual.

1.05am BST

And here is music legend (and all-round legend) Jimmy Barnes, with his message of support to the strikers.

“Come down and show your support for the kids”: Cold Chisel frontman Jimmy Barnes will be attending #climatestrike in Mackay, Queensland. pic.twitter.com/Dfzyp0tjmt

12.58am BST

In New Caledonia:

12.51am BST

Big turnout in Townsville. The event there started at 9am and they will be marching at 10am.

Townsville #Strike4Climate, the crowd is 3-4 time larger than last year! pic.twitter.com/ujXAtVUAbk

12.43am BST

Protesters are staging a die-in in the centre of Alice Springs.

‘Dying to save the planet’- protestors send a message in the Alice Springs Todd Mall pic.twitter.com/ONy0rv3KV6

12.33am BST

Kate Lamb in Jakarta writes:

In Indonesia the climate strikes come as the country faces an escalating environmental emergency – tens of thousands of hectares of rainforest are burning in Sumatra and Kalimantan, home to some of the largest swathes of virgin forest in the world.

12.28am BST

More from the Pacific from Kate Lyons

Climate strike events kicked off in Tonga yesterday (which held its main event – a community clean-up on Thursday because of the significant number of Seventh Day Adventists in the country who observe the Sabbath on Fridays).

Pacific countries, many of which are bearing the brunt of the effects of the climate crisis, are holding events today, though most are not holding strikes or traditional protests, instead focusing on community events such as clean-ups, barbecues and poetry performances.

As the sun rises in the pacific, we rise to sound of the wind blowing, the calling of the Matagi Mālohi. Calling us all to action! And while we cannot all strike, even our youngest of activists understands the gravity of today. #MatagiMālohi #ClimateStrike #PacificPawa #PacificClimateWarriors

12.24am BST

Things are already well under way in Alice Springs. Up to 60 local businesses have also shut their doors for today.

Big crowd in Alice Springs for the climate strike- large focus is on impact climate change is having on indigenous people in remote communities pic.twitter.com/1oTAEcVJZr

Early arrivals at the #CoffsHarbour #ClimateStrike with top rate signage. Rally kicks off at 10am we are so pumped ✊ pic.twitter.com/vxhcOvrNHi

12.17am BST

Eleanor Ainge Roy writes from Dunedin

New Zealand is pushing back its participation in the strikes to Friday 27 September so high school students can sit national exams this week. Large strikes are planned nationwide.

12.07am BST

Greta Thunberg, the 16-year old Swedish student who inspired this movement, has recorded a short film for today’s strike.

In it, she and Guardian columnist George Monbiot talk about the importance of natural solutions – low-cost, effective initiatives such as rowing trees.

12.00am BST

“In the Pacific we don’t go on strike, but we do other things,” says Patricia Mallam, a Fijian climate activist from 350.org.

Over the course of the day children and students from Fiji, Samoa, Vanuatu, Kiribati, Tuvalu, Marshall Islands, Tonga, New Caledonia, the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea will take part in poetry performances, silent protests, sporting events, barbecues and intergenerational discussions about the effects of climate change in the region.

These events rather than traditional protests and street marches make more sense for the Pacific, says Mallam, because it is such a community-driven region “and we all know that the problem is not within the community”.

#ClimateStrike events will kick off (appropriately) in the Pacific.

“It is a day for the polluters, they need to quickly understand what’s going on," says Patricia Mallam from @350Pacific. "But the Pacific is at the frontline of the impacts, it’s important for us to speak up.” pic.twitter.com/wXeYz7mKJk

12.00am BST

Preparations are under way in the Solomon Islands already.

Riding the waves of change, youth are arriving now via boat in Marovo in the Western Province of the Solomon Islands ready for their #climatestrike #MatagiMalohi event today.
.#pacificpawa pic.twitter.com/ytwnX8k7cg

11.54pm BST

Here’s everything you need to know about today’s strikes as collated by my colleague Lisa Cox.

There are more than 100 locations, and the strikes have support from 30 unions, the Australian Council of Trade Unions, and more than 1,000 businesses including Atlassian, Future Super and KeepCup.

11.47pm BST

Morning everyone. Today the global climate strikes start in Australia and the Pacific. The Guardian Australia team will follow it all.

We have a huge day of coverage planned. The Australian strikes will be in full swing from 11am or noon (local time) and before that in New Zealand and the Pacific.

11.31pm BST

For the next 24 hours, the Guardian will be reporting in real time on the wave of climate strikes as they ripple around the world, starting in the Asia-Pacific region and continuing through Europe and Africa before culminating in the Americas.

Millions of young people are expected to turn out in more than 3,000 events worldwide in this latest edition of the Fridays For Future strikes. On this occasion, adults have been invited to join in and companies, organisations, trade unions, even churches are expected to join the fray.

Our correspondents on the ground will be feeding in with live updates from the world’s major metropolises, and we’ll be pausing for breath every now and then to consider the bigger picture, the state we’re in, the scale of the challenge. The strike kicks off a big week for environmental activism with a major climate action summit at the UN next week and another round of Friday strikes on the 27th. The Guardian will be at these events too.

Global climate strike: Greta Thunberg and school students lead climate crisis protest – as it happened

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