On Friday, September 20, 2019, I participated in a climate strike with about 150 students and teachers (both from Northern Vermont University and local schools), as well as community members in Lyndonville, Vermont. We were joining an estimated 6 million others, worldwide. Our house is on fire. The climate crisis is an emergency but we’re not acting like it. People everywhere are at risk if we let oil, coal and gas companies continue to pour more fuel on the fire. Our hotter planet is already hurting millions of people. If we don’t act now to transition fairly and swiftly away from fossil fuels to 100% renewable energy access for all, the injustice of the climate crisis will only get worse. We need to act right now to stop burning fossil fuels and ensure a rapid energy revolution with equity, reparations and climate justice at its heart.
We began walking down the road from the NVU-Lyndon campus, chanting along the way, “Tell me what democracy looks like. This is what democracy looks like!” and “Hey hey, ho ho, fossil fuels have got to go!”
After walking down main street, we convened at a green in the center of town. Several speakers took to the megaphone to address the crowd. I was one of them. This is what I said:
I’m so glad to see so many people joining us in the street today to rally for immediate action on the climate crisis.
When you leave here, what actions are you going to take? I encourage you to simply talk about climate change with your friends and family at every opportunity. Find common values and talk about how climate change is going to — if it hasn’t already — affect those things you mutually care about. Do you love snowmobiling, skiing or snowboarding? How about Vermont maple syrup? Does your family go on vacation at the ocean? Do you grow your own food, or know someone who does? Do you or those in your family know that’s it’s possible to shift retirement accounts and other investments into socially responsible, fossil-fuel-free portfolios? For the adults here – are you registered to vote? Are your friends registered to vote? Did you know if you’re a college student in Vermont, you can register to vote in Vermont, even if you’re from out of state? Learn who’s on the ballot, and what positions they hold. It’s your duty as a citizen to vote.
I’ll leave you with these wise words from Dr. Alan Betts, a climate researcher in Vermont: “Climate change presents humanity with many difficult choices. If we first recognize the truth and choose hope over despair, this frees us to work together to do whatever needs to be done.
Remember, we are active participants in the creation of the future – it is not a given. There is great strength and joy when we act with moral integrity – doing what is right simply because it is right. What uplifts the human spirit also uplifts the Earth.”
What difference will it make?
These Climate Strikes won’t solve the climate crisis alone. What this moment can do is demonstrate that people are no longer willing to continue with business as usual. The urgency of the climate crisis requires a new approach and a just response centered on human rights, equity, and justice. Greta Thunberg’s lone protest caught the world’s attention last year, and has spread to millions of school children who are sounding the alarm. Now it’s everyone’s turn to stand with young people and show world leaders the people power demanding climate justice. September’s climate strikes will kickstart a huge wave of action and renewed ambition all over the world.
It’s easy to march for one hour…
…it’s challenging to adopt a net-zero greenhouse gas emission lifestyle. Next Sunday, I’ll share with you one step I am taking to do so in my own life. And it may surprise you!
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