On Friday, May 3 from noon to 2:30 pm, Nelson and area youth will be conducting their second school strike for the climate in front of Nelson City Hall.
The school strike is inspired by Greta Thunberg and the Fridays for Future movement. Millions of students all over the world are striking as a way to demand climate action. The first strike in Nelson, on March 4, had a turn out of over 200 students. Youth planners expect even more this time.
“The reasons for striking are clear,” said Jade Osecki, a grade 10 students at LV Rogers Secondary. “We want elected leaders at all levels of government to listen to the science and take real action towards creating a sustainable future.”
“We are asking that everything necessary is done so that we can keep global warming below 1.5 degrees,” said Daniela Sirois Ennis, a grade 10 student at WE Graham. “This means we have to cut carbon pollution by 45% by 2030. We need leaders to set valiant goals that will be put into action immediately.”
“Locally, transportation is our biggest source of emissions,” said Alyssa Taburiaux, a Selkirk College student who is involved in a task force to assess public transit. “More funding invested in the public transportation system is a way to minimize the number of vehicles on the road.”
The other main focus of the strike is to create awareness about the urgency of climate change.
“Currently, there is a lack of public education about climate change — in schools and communities,” said Michael Penner, a grade 9 student at Mount Sentinel Secondary.
In response to criticism that the school strikes are just an excuse to skip school, Ennis explained, “I am personally someone who really enjoys academics and going to school. I am not attending climate strikes to skip school. I am going because we youth need our voices to be heard, and we need our leaders to feel the sense of urgency we feel in regard to our future.”
As Greta Thunberg stated, “We live in a strange world where children must sacrifice their own education in order to protest against the destruction of their future.”
The local youth organizers agree. “Why study for the future when you don’t know if it will exist,” said Penner.
“Students are not climate scientists, and we don’t have all the answers,” continued Osecki. “But we do know that climate change needs to be addressed yesterday.”
Adult supporters are welcome to attend, but this is a youth-focused event. An open mic for youth will be available after a march. Creative and colourful signs are encouraged.
