The youth climate movement is calling for a global general strike. We, the undersigned scientists and academics, support them wholeheartedly. We pledge to support their strike in our country’s main day of action (20th and/or 27th September), and encourage people from other professions and walks of life to support the strike and this movement.

Inspired by Greta Thunberg, the youth climate movement represents the hopes and fears of the coming generation. They demand more ambitious climate action and the prevention of ecocide and biodiversity loss. As scientists, we confirm that the youth movement’s concerns are well-founded and rest on solid, incontrovertible evidence. The current level of action and ambition falls far short of what is needed to secure a safe future for this and all other generations.

The 2015 Paris Agreement on Climate Change binds states to keep warming well below 2°C, and to pursue efforts to limit warming to 1.5°C. We are already witnessing the serious ecosystem and human impacts of around 1°C warming.

We must urgently reduce the emissions of CO2 and other greenhouse gases, and reduce them to (net) zero at the latest worldwide between 2040 and 2050. The more rapidly we cut fossil fuel use and other sources of greenhouse gas emissions, the more likely our chances of limiting warming to 1.5 °C. Taking global justice into account, this change should be even faster in industrialised countries such as the UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Democratic decision-making, including youth, through citizen assemblies and juries, is necessary. This must accompany unprecedented rapid and ambitious action, including introducing renewable energy at the necessary speed and scale; consistently implementing energy-saving measures; and altering our patterns of nutrition, mobility, and consumption.

Many social, economic and technological alternatives exist that can enhance human well-being without destroying our planetary life-support systems. Despite this, no industrialised English speaking country has adopted policies anywhere near the level of ambition required.

Our politicians have a responsibility to act in a timely manner; with sufficient ambition; and ensuring a socially balanced distribution of the costs and benefits, through the principles of a just transition.

The enormous mobilisation of the Climate Strike and Fridays 4 Future movement shows that young people have understood the situation. As scientists and academic experts in other fields, we strongly support their demand for rapid and forceful action, and consider it our social responsibility to point out the consequences of inadequate action.

Only if we act quickly and consistently can we limit global warming, halt the mass extinction of animal and plant species, preserve the natural basis for life and create a future worth living for present and future generations. This is exactly what the young people of Climate Strike are calling for. They deserve our respect and full support, we are proud to join them in September, and encourage people of all ages, professions and walks of life to join them as well.

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