Global Climate Strike in California

Rain didn’t stop climate victims in California, USA

ALL PHOTOS: Steve Engelmann

They all had lost their homes and their school in the epic Los Angeles wildfires in Pacific Palisades in January 2025. They were now led by their caring environmental science teacher, Mr. Englemann. Complete with dinosaur costumes and an inflatable Earth, burning with determination, the Palisades High School students demonstrated in pouring rain at the main intersection at Santa Monica Pier, on 14 November. The rain only made their energy more buoyant and persistent. Their goal: Make the Polluters Pay. The students want this bill passed in the state government. Joining forces with other teachers, and students from Santa Monica High School, they spoke at a self-organized press conference, urging their local elected officials to endorse the Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act (AB 1243/SB 684). For many, it was their first time to demonstrate.

The teenagers presented a petition to their City Council that urges all City Councils in Los Angeles County and State Assembly members to pass resolutions to realize the Make Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act (“Make Polluters Pay” bill). This will shift financial responsibility for climate-related disasters, such as the wildfires that destroyed their homes in Pacific Palisades, from taxpayers and communities to the large corporations who are responsible for causing climate change. It would ensure that California has the resources to protect our communities from climate hazards, accelerate the renewable energy transition, and fund a better future.

In their anguish, the students want to connect with other schools to energize and grow their campaign to pass the superfund act. Could it become a national campaign? In fact, it’s up to us reading this to get ourselves, our schools, and our groups involved with this campaign, signing or rewriting this petition and clicking “Yes" in the volunteer option.

Calendar: In January 2026, some of these teen activists have been invited to go speak across the globe, on Climate Talks for Everyone, about their experiences and to give tips about their activism at a free Zoom forum sponsored by Fridays for Future and the Northern Arizona Climate Coalition. Watch for details in January’s FFF Newsletter! The link https://actionnetwork.org/events/pacific-palisades-students-have-had-enough/ will soon be operative.