This Friday, March 15th, kids around the world plan to skip school to demand action on climate change. Many of them have lived with extreme conditions like wildfires, heat waves and flooding their entire lives. It seems, they say, that every year of their lives has been ‘the warmest one on record.’
The March 15th climate strike was born out of the #FridaysForFuture drive. That movement began in Sweden when a 16-year-old girl named Greta Thunberg started skipping school on Friday to protest outside Sweden’s parliament. Her actions have inspired thousands of young people around the world to cut classes as part of the Global Student Strike for Climate.
According to a 2018 UN report, world leaders have only 11 more years to avoid disastrous levels of global warming. Since many young people feel politicians are dragging their heels, they’re stepping up and demanding their voices be heard.
This Friday, a number of BC children’s writers and illustrators are marching with them. In Vancouver, CWILL members will join with young people to protest at the Vancouver Art Gallery at 1 o’clock. In Victoria, the walk-out begins at noon at the BC Legislature and proceeds to Fort and Douglas for another gathering at 1.
Students in 55 countries around the world are rallying. If you want to join them, go here to find a protest near you. https://www.fridaysforfuture.org/events/map
Hopefully, the younger generation will continue to push for awareness. The world needs them to be active and then find avenues for change. Our planet depends on them.
You’re so right, Jodie. Thanks for stopping by!