21 February 2019•Update: 22 February 2019
By Ata Ufuk Seker
BRUSSELS
Thousands of students marched Thursday to protest the government's climate policies.
Around 7,000 young people descended upon the city for the seventh time for calling for action on climate change.
The march started at Brussels-Nord (North) railway station finished at Brussels-Midi station -- two of the three major railway stations in Brussels.
Students chanted slogans and carried colored banners calling on the government to prioritize policies combating global warming and climate change.
They also urged Belgium to prepare a comprehensive climate plan for the future.
Climate activist Greta Thunberg, 16, also joined the march of youth.
Before joining, Thunberg made a speech in the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), an EU consultative body representing civil society organizations, with the attendance of European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker.
Thunberg, who became her generation’s voice on climate change, urged politicians take the findings of scientists seriously.
"Some people say that we are fighting for our future, but that is not true. We are not fighting for our future, we are fighting for everyone's future," Thunberg said. "Since our time is running out, we decided to take an action. We have started to clean up mess and we will not stop until we are done.”
She pushed back on criticisms by political leaders over skipping classes. “If you still say that we are wasting valuable lesson time, then let me remind you that our political leaders have wasted decades through denial and inaction.”
She said new policies, economic models and thought are needed for climate and environmental issues, adding that resources in the world should be used more fairly.
The first march of young people started in January, and each week since, the movement of climate activists has kept growing with youngsters hitting the streets of Brussels each Thursday.
Similar protests are held in various European countries including France, the Netherlands, U.K., Germany Sweden.
* Jeyhun Aliyev contributed to this story from Ankara
