Thousands protest in Berlin against climate change

Thousands gathered in the German capital Friday to demand more action against climate change.Defying gray skies, the crowds brought placards and banners to a mass protest by the iconic Brandenburg Gate."I basically just want to have a future," said Luise Furhop, a 19-year-old protester from Berlin."It is incredibly frustrating to see who is in power and why and how young people like us have just finished school and can't plan for the future," she continued.

Germany currently holds the six-month rotating presidency of the European Union, which together with Britain accounts for 22% of all man-made greenhouse gas emissions.Chancellor Angela Merkel has in the past lauded the youth activists for putting pressure on politicians to act against global warming.Merkel's spokeswoman, Ulrike Demmer, said in late August that the German government recently agreed to to cut emissions by up to 55% over the coming decade compared with 1990 levels.

It also backs plans for an EU Green Deal and for making Europe the first "climate neutral" continent by 2050.Students have been striking on Fridays for around two years, in a movement started by Swedish activist Greta Thunberg.This Friday, their 'Fridays For Future' movement plans thousands of protest actions across the globe.

(Image Credit: AP)