Photo Credit: iStock/FilippoBacci
The start of March announces the biggest event in the climate activism calendar. Environmental advocates from around the world gather up and hold climate action rallies worldwide. Thousands take up to the streets where protests are held to raise awareness about climate change, gather support, and influence politicians and world leaders to take radical action.
But it was not always the case.
Though climate activism was always a substantive movement, it shot to its current levels of global consciousness through the efforts of a lone Swedish student a few years back.
In 2018, Greta Thurnberg, then a 15-year-old student, skipped school and sat on the steps of the Swedish parliament asking for significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Her activism as a young person, representing the first generation that will be most impacted by the catastrophes of climate change, roused millions of students worldwide.
It gave new life to climate change debates, galvanized the masses, and most importantly, inspired the youth who are now leading the climate change movement on the streets and in the schools.
But they, and the rest of us who are passionately trying to save the planet, have a long fight to fight, and things get heated sometimes — like our dear planet.
Climate-change naysayers are one reason. Climate change myths like how plastic is a recyclable material are another. But those in the leadership positions are the worst kind of roadblocks to fight. Not only these industry and political leaders are slow to take action, but the action they do take always leaves a lot to be desired.
To keep the spirits up in the face of all these delays, denials, and dormancy, humor is the shield that climate activists arm themselves with.
Witty one-liners, catchy memes, and funny warcries come to the rescue.
As we celebrate March as the climate activism month, we dedicate this post to saving the planet one joke at a time.
Below you will find placards, slogans, and signs from climate action rallies from around the world that are fun, funny, and creative. They show you that the fight to save our planet is still on, and we’re coming at it with laughter in our hearts and jokes on our lips.
So many creative signs at Climate Strike Toronto today, here are some of my favorite… #climatestrikesigns pic.twitter.com/2QoBMBCm8N
— John Maiorano (@John_Maiorano) September 27, 2019
Great Global Climate Strike signs from yesterday’s protests around the world! Thank you all! 💪🏽#ClimateStrike pic.twitter.com/KWm8iZcIXM
— inna shevchenko (@femeninna) September 21, 2019
Reporting from SF Youth Climate Strike. Signs speak for themselves. Amazing young people. pic.twitter.com/yGPrYyMhYA
— Zarina Zabrisky 🇺🇦 (@ZarinaZabrisky) March 16, 2019
Stand up for what’s right #ClimateStrike pic.twitter.com/6FJ5zrXEVd
— Jessica Oswald (@jessicaoswaldd) September 20, 2019
The wrong amazon is burning #ClimateStrike pic.twitter.com/AGgRxZD6q4
— Ken Loach & Sixteen Films (@KenLoachSixteen) September 20, 2019
“Climate, not profit! Woodside, get off it!” 🔥✊
📷 Global #ClimateStrike rallies from across the country today, including Gadigal land (Sydney) and Boorloo (Perth) pic.twitter.com/labPbsm9n3
— Greenpeace Australia Pacific (@GreenpeaceAP) March 3, 2023
Volunteering for #ClimateAction in the #FarmBill 😁 https://t.co/IMEPsyR0Cb pic.twitter.com/GYdNe6uRLf
— Spunky LEAF (@SpunkyLEAF) March 7, 2023
Ready to start the #ClimateMarch with @sciforfuture_NL @ScientistsX in Rotterdam. Lab coats on to represent the scientific community! #ClimateEmergency #ClimateAction pic.twitter.com/RfflJUHYLZ
— Sylvana Harmsen (@SylvanaHarmsen) June 19, 2022
BECAUSE I LOVE YOU. Ces moments qui me confortent dans notre engagement. #ClimateMarch #COP26 pic.twitter.com/Sd1haVrj8y
— Pierre Cannet (@pierrecannet) November 6, 2021
The new eco-feminists have a message:👇#MarcheClimat #ClimateMarch pic.twitter.com/WUPrvSkcPR
— Prof. Jean-Pascal van Ypersele (@Mastodon.World) (@JPvanYpersele) October 23, 2022
It can, or often does, feel sh*t, so to march with 20,000+ people in London today, all fighting for climate & nature justice, was a mood booster.🤘🏻🌍#GlobalDayofAction #ClimateMarch #COP26 pic.twitter.com/6mmHhmN14C
— Ryan ‘eco-freak’ Dalton (@MrRyanJDalton) November 6, 2021
Preparing for the first climate march with both kids. 💥🌏💪🏻Since I can remember I am marching.First on the shoulders of my Dad, now with my kids.Almost 40 years later!I am done with this politicians destroying my future and sending us to climate hell. #klimaatmars #climatemarch pic.twitter.com/Ly0UtJGU71
— Anna Handschuh (@anna_handschuh) November 5, 2021
It’s #COP25. It’s Friday. Thousands of people are on the streets in Madrid to demand massive #ClimateActionNow.
Two of them are us.
In 8 years the CO2 Budget for 1.5°C is used up.#HowDareYou? #Kletterkinder #FridaysForFuture #ClimateStrike #ClimateMarch https://t.co/s7Z6D25I3X pic.twitter.com/sCQhLtUw0B
— Kletterkinder @Kletterkinder@climatejustice.social (@kletterkinder) December 6, 2019
Possibly the wettest part of the #ClimateMarch yesterday but great to catch up with @carla_denyer @ClareBaileyGPNI and @EllieChowns#COP26Glasgow #COP26 pic.twitter.com/MV8gfEgzlS
— Natalie Bennett (@natalieben) November 7, 2021
🪧 We are ready for Sunday. Come and join us for the #ClimateMarch in Brussels.
📅 13:00 – Brussels-North Station#ClimateEmergency #WalkForYourFuture pic.twitter.com/CB8RM64IhF
— WWF EU (@WWFEU) October 20, 2022
Week 219 #climatestrike Finally back in Ireland but I am quite ill so not able to strike outside the dail 💔! Only a few more weeks to go before the global climate strike! #peoplenotprofit #climatestrike #schoolstrike4climate @GretaThunberg @Fridays4future @SchoolStrikesIE pic.twitter.com/rUjS4IEJKy
— flossieandthebeachcleaners (@flossiebeachcl1) February 17, 2023
“We are the most important generation because we are the most impacted by climate change,” said Yoshi Futai, 16. #ClimateStrike pic.twitter.com/EZ2ZdAZ2Na
— riley robinson (@rirob111) September 20, 2019
Some Sydney #ClimateStrike signs!
“Kinda thought my death would be cooler than this.” pic.twitter.com/6eCdlBYDZJ
— Mehreen Faruqi (@MehreenFaruqi) September 20, 2019
Hands down best sign #ClimateStrike pic.twitter.com/rsNdhhZjCY
— Nathalie Gordon (@awlilnatty) September 20, 2019
Here are the three winners of our slogan contest #USYDSoc #GlobalClimateStrike pic.twitter.com/VEUgDuB9sr
— susan banki (@susanbanki) September 20, 2019
— Emma 🗡 (@edjenko) September 20, 2019
Our #ClimateStrike pictures reposted with alt text. pic.twitter.com/3BgiutGkXY
— PWD Australia (PWDA) (@PWDAustralia) September 20, 2019
The kids are alright. #ClimateStrike pic.twitter.com/pnDkeKmwXe
— J Λ M Ξ S (@jamesglynn) September 20, 2019
Hands down the best sign I’ve seen at the Carlisle #ClimateStrike today! 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/mZbg1jzrIm
— Rachel Owen 🍄 📷 (@rachelowenmedia) September 20, 2019
The climate crisis is a serious issue but the way we deal with it can be made fun. Lightheartedness is something that prevents activists from suffering the gravest bouts of burnout, making activism a positive and healing experience.
As you prepare for this year’s climate action rallies, use jokes on your protest signs to bring people closer, point out the absurdities in opposing argument, and make your climate messaging easier and fun to remember.
Kelly Sampson is a writer, blogger, and environmental enthusiast. She has strong opinions about climate change, the dogs vs. cats debate, and Oxford commas. She has lent Hummingbird International her engaging and spirited voice and turned our blog into a great place to find valuable information about e-waste, e-waste recycling, and the ITAD industry. Explore our blog to read more of her work.
