RELATED: Nanaimo protesters join in on global climate strike
A worldwide climate strike has made its way to Lantzville and will reach Nanaimo next.
Students from Seaview Elementary School and the Thinking Garden Early Childhood Centre gathered in front of Lantzville district hall on Friday morning to wave signs and chant, calling for action to combat climate change.
“We’ve known about this for a long time but nobody has really done anything, so we need to raise awareness for climate change and [put] a stop to this,” said Sophia Higgins, a Grade 6 student.
She and classmate Jaime Sprott said passing motorists seemed to be supportive of the student protest. Sprott said she thinks the protests have helped to draw attention to the issue.
“The climate is changing and we need to [make sure] that it doesn’t go to irreversible,” she said. “It’s getting really bad and we need people to recognize that.”
The students said there are lots of things kids can do, from protesting to riding bikes to school, conserving energy, recycling and limiting use of plastics.
RELATED: Students skip school, join climate strikes across B.C.
Climate protesters in Nanaimo are expected to make their loudest cries yet at a rally and march this afternoon, Sept. 27, at Maffeo Sutton Park.
The local Global Climate Strike takes place at 4 p.m. at the park’s Lions Pavilion, and following a rally there, protesters will be invited on a short, accessible march.
“Please bring your passion, your voice, a sign, and a friend. We have some extra signs if you can’t bring your own,” noted an event press release.
According to an event Facebook page, protest organizers are demanding that governments tell the truth about the climate crisis, create targets to reach carbon neutrality by 2030 and engage citizens’ assemblies to guide climate policy decisions.
RELATED: Nanaimo high school students cut class to attend climate action rally
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