Danielle Scruggs | Vox Our world has too much noise and too little context. Vox helps you understand what matters. 2020-03-06T19:53:41+00:00 https://www.vox.com/authors/danielle-scruggs/rss https://platform.vox.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/08/vox_logo_rss_light_mode.png?w=150&h=100&crop=1 Danielle Scruggs Umair Irfan <![CDATA[The eerie emptiness of cities responding to coronavirus, in photos]]> https://www.vox.com/2020/3/6/21166210/coronavirus-us-china-france-germany-italy-iran 2020-03-06T14:53:41-05:00 2020-03-06T13:00:00-05:00
The Kaaba, inside Mecca’s Grand Mosque, was emptied by Saudi Arabia on March 5, 2020, over fears of the new coronavirus, an unprecedented move after the country suspended the year-round umrah pilgrimage. | Abdel Ghani Bashir /AFP via Getty Images

The Covid-19 coronavirus disease has now spread to 84 countries, infected at least 100,000 people, and killed more than 3,400.

World Health Organization Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus is instructing countries to “to pull out all the stops” to mobilize their response. He and other officials are urging a focus on protecting the highest-risk groups: older people, people with preexisting health conditions, and health care workers.

This requires a coordinated, society-wide effort to spread the word about measures like hand-washing, avoiding large gatherings in areas where the virus is transmitting, seeking care if you have Covid-19 symptoms, and isolating the sick.

The emergency has forced governments to shut down schools, organizers to cancel conferences, and the ordinarily teeming metropolis of Wuhan, China, the epicenter of the outbreak, to fall eerily silent. The social and economic costs of the outbreak have been immense and will only grow larger.

Here are scenes from the response to the outbreak around the world:

China

Czech Republic

France

Germany

Indonesia

Iran

Iraq

Italy

Japan

Lebanon

Singapore

South Korea

Spain

United Kingdom

United States

]]> Brian Resnick Danielle Scruggs <![CDATA[Greta Thunberg, the UN summit, and a gridlocked DC: Another day of dramatic climate action, in photos]]> https://www.vox.com/2019/9/23/20880297/greta-thunberg-un-climate-summit-dc-protesters-photos 2019-09-30T15:08:35-04:00 2019-09-23T17:10:00-04:00
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres speaks at the Climate Action Summit on September 23, 2019 in New York City. | Stephanie Keith/Getty Images

This story is part of Covering Climate Now, a global collaboration of more than 250 news outlets to strengthen coverage of the climate story.

The global youth climate strike on Friday, September 20, drew millions to the streets in more than 150 countries to protest weak corporate and government action on climate change. On Monday, activists kept up the pressure by blocking intersections in Washington, DC, and demonstrating in New York as the United Nations met for the Climate Action Summit.

UN Secretary General António Guterres called the summit to prod member countries to make more ambitious commitments to cut carbon emissions in line with the recommendations from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change to limit global warming to 2 degrees Celsius. Early reports suggest the commitments so far are mixed.

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg gave a dramatic speech at the summit, scolding heads of state in particularly harsh terms. “You have stolen my dreams and my childhood with your empty words,” Thunberg said. “We are in the beginning of a mass extinction, and all you can talk about are your fairy tales of money and eternal economic growth.”

Thunberg and President Donald Trump were also briefly in a room together at the UN, leading to this stunning scene:

Also today: Thunberg joined a group of 15 young people from around the world suing five countries — Germany, France, Brazil, Argentina, and Turkey — for not taking enough action on climate change and violating their human rights.

There was action elsewhere. In DC, protesters with Extinction Rebellion, Black Lives Matter DMV, and other groups in Washington, DC, blocked off several intersections during the morning rush hour commute, disrupting traffic.

In all, it’s another dramatic day for the climate movement. More people than ever before see climate change as a threat. Meanwhile, global greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise. It’s no surprise people are demanding action. Here are some scenes from today’s climate action and protest.

A man does a split in a traffic intersection while a crowd behind him holds a sign that reads “Stop Pipelines Now.”
President Trump in the audience at the UN Climate Summit. President Trump is seen in the audience at the UN Climate Action Summit.
A woman holding a child at a climate protest also holds a sign that reads, “Just another shit-scared mother.”German Chancellor Angela Merkel, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and French President Emmanuel Macron sit with others around a meeting table at the UN Climate Summit.
French President Emmanuel Macron onstage at the UN Climate Summit holds up his fist. German Chancellor Angela Merkel onstage speaking from the podium at the UN Climate Summit.
Climate protesters seeking to block traffic on Massachusetts Avenue in Washington, DC, hold up a puppet skull with hands that read “Oil kills.”
The General Assembly Hall during the UN Climate Action Summit showing a firefighter watching a blaze on the huge video screen. The General Assembly Hall during the UN Climate Action Summit showing a man’s face on the huge video screen.
A climate change protester holds up a sign showing nuclear reactors and the word, “Resist.”Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley speaking onstage at the UN Climate Action Summit.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres speaking from behind the podium at the Climate Action Summit. Chinese State Councilor Wang Yi on stage during the UN Climate Action Summit.
Climate protestors march down a street in Washington, DC, carrying a banner that reads, “Tell the truth.”Climate activist Greta Thunberg scolding world leaders during the UN Climate Action Summit.
Activist Greta Thunberg and 13 other children from across the world present their official human rights complaint on the climate crisis at a press conference. A boy holds a protest sign that reads, “We can do this!” beside a woman whose sign reads, “Love your mother” with a picture of the Earth.
The United Nations General Assembly Hall displays faces from around the world on its huge screens during the Climate Action Summit 2019.

Listen to Today, Explained

In just one week, she inspired global protests, mean-mugged President Trump, and chastised world leaders at the United Nations. David Wallace-Wells, editor at New York magazine, explains the rise of Greta Thunberg.

Looking for a quick way to keep up with the never-ending news cycle? Host Sean Rameswaram will guide you through the most important stories at the end of each day.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

]]> Danielle Scruggs Alexia Fernández Campbell <![CDATA[From Austin to Indianapolis: The US climate strike in photos]]> https://www.vox.com/identities/2019/9/20/20875682/youth-climate-strike-september-20-nyc-united-states 2019-09-20T17:20:44-04:00 2019-09-20T16:10:00-04:00
Activists gather in John Marshall Park for the Global Climate Strike protests in Washington, DC, on September 20, 2019. | Samuel Corum/Getty Images

This story is part of Covering Climate Now, a global collaboration of more than 250 news outlets to strengthen coverage of the climate story.

Millions of people across the world — from Pakistan to Iceland — went on strike Friday in the largest-ever global demonstration to fight climate change. Around noon, Americans began to walk out of work and school, too.

“Strike today, save tomorrow,” read one banner in the Washington, DC, march. “College debt means nothing when the world is burning,” read a sign in Indianapolis.

Inspired by Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, young people in over 150 countries organized the strikes in an effort to push world leaders to move away from fossil fuels.

Adults joined them.

More than 2,000 Amazon and Google employees walked out of work Friday in solidarity with the movement. Amazon workers, in particular, have been pressuring the company to do more to reduce its carbon footprint.

Here is what the protests looked like here in the US:

Washington, DC

At the Global Climate Strike on the mall in Washington, DC, signs read, “Keep the oil in the soil and the coal in the hole,” and, “System change not climate change.”Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez squats down to give a high five to a couple of students at the Global Climate Strike in Washington, DC

Portland, Maine

A protester holds a polar bear-shaped sign during a climate strike rally outside City Hall in Portland, Maine. The bear’s orange jacket reads, “Government-issued life vest.”

Chicago, Illinois

Protesters for the Global Climate Strike hold signs that read, “Climate change strikes hard, we stroke harder,” and, “Clean energy for all.”Protesters fill a street in downtown Chicago for the Global Climate Strike.

Indianapolis, Indiana

Protesters for the Global Climate Strike hold signs that read, “Stop climate meltdown,” “You can’t reset this clock,” and, “We are skipping our lessons to teach you one.”

San Francisco, California

Protesters for the Global Climate Strike hold signs that read, “Google do better,” and, “Climate action now.”

New York City, New York

Global Climate Strike protesters fill a New York City street with signs that read, “Your ignorance is our future,” and, “Forest rebellion now.”Global Climate Strike protesters speak into bullhorns.A Global Climate Strike protester holds up a sign that reads, “Don’t burn my future.”

Austin, Texas

A protester in a dinosaur costume at the Global Climate Strike holds a sign that reads, “Y’all bout to go extinct like me!” ]]> Danielle Scruggs Brian Resnick <![CDATA[Photos: What the youth climate strike looks like around the world]]> https://www.vox.com/energy-and-environment/2019/9/20/20875523/youth-climate-strike-fridays-future-photos-global 2019-09-30T15:09:36-04:00 2019-09-20T14:57:25-04:00
Hundreds of people marched from District six to Parliament during a Global Climate strike in Cape Town, South Africa, on September 20, 2019. | Brenton Geach/Gallo Images via Getty Images

This story is part of Covering Climate Now, a global collaboration of more than 250 news outlets to strengthen coverage of the climate story.

Friday may be remembered as the largest global demonstration ever in the fight against climate change. Inspired by Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, young people around the world have organized to skip school and protest in the street over the climate crisis and the adults who aren’t doing enough to transition off fossil fuels.

Thunberg and her group Fridays for Future aren’t alone: They’ll be joined by adult climate activists, indigenous groups, workers from companies like Amazon and Google, and really anyone who feels like the world is overdue for dramatic action on climate change.

The event is truly global: There are 2,500 events scheduled in over 150 countries.

Let’s take a look at what’s happening around the globe.

Afghanistan

Australia

Australians Rally For Climate Action As Part Of Global Climate Strike

Bangladesh

Bangladeshis Rally In Dhaka For Global Climate Strike

Belgium

Activists in Brussels Join The Global Climate Strike

Chile

Global Climate Strike - Santiago de Chile

China

El Salvador

Global Climate Strike - San Salvador

France

Germany

Global climate strike in Hamburg

Greece

Global Climate Strike In Athens

India

Indonesia

Indonesians Rally In Jakarta For Global Climate Strike

Japan

Japanese Rally In Tokyo For Global Climate Strike

Netherlands

Nigeria

Pakistan

Philippines

Filipinos Rally In Manila For Global Climate Strike

Poland

South Africa

Global Climate strike in Cape Town

South Korea

Thailand

Thais Rally In Bangkok For Global Climate Strike

Ukraine

United Kingdom

Activists In London Join The Global Climate Strike

Listen to Today, Explained

In just one week, she inspired global protests, mean-mugged President Trump, and chastised world leaders at the United Nations. David Wallace-Wells, editor at New York magazine, explains the rise of Greta Thunberg.

Looking for a quick way to keep up with the never-ending news cycle? Host Sean Rameswaram will guide you through the most important stories at the end of each day.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

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