Colorado teen helps organize US Youth Climate Strike

Millions of people around the world took part in a global climate change protest Friday. Young students, inspired by activists, demanded action from politicians and decision-makers.

One of the U.S. organizers, 13-year-old Haven Coleman, is from Colorado.

Every Friday — since the beginning of the year — Coleman ditches school and protests climate change in front of government buildings and other public places. Coleman is passionate about fighting climate change and says her passion started in Colorado Springs, where she lived for two years.

“This has been my work for the past three years,” she said.

Coleman helped organize the US Youth Climate Strike with two other teens to coincide with a global school strike. The demonstrations spanned four other continents in Australia, Afghanistan, Hong Kong, and Europe. There were 500 events in Germany alone.

Coleman spoke to KRDO via phone while she walked through the Denver International Airport on her way to New York.

“I’m heading to New York City to attend the UN Youth Climate Summit which is on Saturday as well as attend the New York City global climate strike,” she said.

Coleman was even invited to march with 16-year old Swedish activist, Greta Thunberg. Thunberg testified in front of Congress and was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.

She’s not shy about blaming adults and says skipping school on Fridays is her way of grabbing their attention.

“I’m hoping that the politicians will actually start acting,” she says. “So yes, I’m very young and yes you’re older than me but you can also do it too.” Coleman says she hopes this will be a turning point.

Organizers of this strike are planning another event in May.

KRDO + AP 2019