Millions march for climate and galvanize a social movement
The climate strike in Sherbrooke on September 27 was the largest protest in the city’s history. More than 5,000 people walked from the University of Sherbrooke to hear speeches in Jacques-cartier Park and continue to the city hall. Free bus transport to the university was provided by the city. What a walk it was! School pupils carrying colourful placards marched with representatives of unions and political organisations, teachers and musicians, and students from Sherbrooke’s two universities. There were people of all ages from babies to octogenarians. We all chanted climate change demands: no fossil fuels, don’t fly, no meat, and more deep green actions and biodiversity protections by government.
An estimated 6 million people worldwide took part in climate strikes during the week ending September 27. Half a million joined Montréal’s strike to walk with Greta Thunberg, the Swedish climate activist, who has been protesting each Friday for the last year. Greta came to Montréal from a youth climate summit at the UN in New York. Her chastisement of world leaders’ lack of action to prevent climate chaos was delivered in a no-nonsense manner. In the past, being overly polite hasn’t helped overcome their inertia, so why not tell it as it is? “Tell the truth” about climate justice, first voiced by Extinction Rebellion, has become the mainstay of this burgeoning movement. Greta always says the same thing: “Listen to the science” — not to the lobbyists. And she tells the older generations, “We are the change and the change has arrived.” Justin Trudeau, the prime minister, came out to speak to her as he waved his way through the crowd. Do more, much more, or else my generation won’t survive, she admonished him.
In contrast to the expected no-show of the climate-change-denying Conservatives, the other political parties were well represented, aware of the power of the thousands of young people poised to vote this month who were taking part in climate strike protests throughout Québec and the rest of Canada.
On a warm note, the environmental activist David Suzuki chatted with Greta and praised her work, and the mayor of Montréal gave her the keys to the city. The Montréal area has suffered numerous climate-change-induced catastrophes in the last few years, ranging from massive floods to heatwaves that have taken numerous lives. In common with many other cities, including New York, the people of Montréal know that they must themselves act to combat climate chaos and not wait for ineffectual federal or provincial leadership.
This brings us to our own motivations and responsibilities. Were the climate strikes an inspiration and a tipping point for massive individual action, or were they a way to simply assuage a gnawing sense of guilt? How many came out on a sunny day for a great party with friends? Many adults believe that and won’t endorse the right for students to leave their classrooms. Having attended both the March 15 and September 27 protests I don’t think that’s fair or helpful; in fact, for many adults the reluctance to encourage young people to participate in the Fridays for Future student strikes may just be a reflection of their own biased, defeatist and apathetic view of the world. But the big question is where we go from here, and hopefully these historic marches will be the impetus for immediate action on climate. Watch what happens next week when Extinction Rebellion activists take to the streets around the world and disrupt the status quo.
In the meantime, ask yourself what personal changes you are committed to if Greta and her generation are to get through this century.
Please give these questions serious consideration: are you ready to stop flying or going on a cruise, knowing that one return flight to Cuba causes havoc to a person’s ecological footprint? Will you walk or cycle instead of using a car, and take a bus or train for longer journeys, realizing that transportation choices affect climate and pollution levels? Becoming a vegan or vegetarian has huge ramifications for land use and forests. Are you ready? Especially in the west, given our overconsumption, will you pledge to have one fewer child, or speak to your children about giving you one fewer grandchild? Research clearly shows that this may be the single biggest contribution to slowing down climate change and biodiversity loss. Is your family ready to grow an organic garden and buy local organic food, thus contributing to better soil, biodiversity and community? Finally, can we make peace with this Earth and embrace inclusiveness with Nature?