‘People don’t understand how serious the situation is’
Fridays For Future climate campaign gaining attention
As more severe weather appears worldwide, the people of Antigonish want to do something about it with their weekly Fridays for Future rallies.
One of the participants, retired teacher Alison Lee, has always had a fondness for the outdoors.
“I have cared for it as long as I can remember. My parents encouraged an interest in and respect for nature,” said Lee. “I lived and worked in the arctic for 10 years before I retired and witnessed first-hand some of the damage of climate warming and have seen much loss of species over the years.”
Inspired by Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg, people were starting to demonstrate in Antigonish for the International Fridays For Future campaign before COVID-19 stopped them. Lee and her daughter Bella Lamb started the present chapter of Fridays for Future in Antigonish in October
2021.
“Bella and I were both horrified at the destruction of the Amazon forest and the impact of this on the Earth, in addition to the fact that COP 26 in Glasgow seemed to be failing. So we made some signs and drove into Antigonish. We stood for an hour outside the town hall where we attracted some attention,” said Lee.
The next week others joined them and their group has grown from there.
Angus Kennedy, a participant and St. F.X. student in the bachelor of science program with an advanced major in biology, has always paid close attention to this topic as well.
“For as long as I can remember I have been aware of global warming and climate change in some sense, or at least the negative effects of it …. these were all things I understood were a part of my future,” said Kennedy.
“This was scary for me growing up, it was hard to wrap my head around the fact that this was in store for my future. I didn't quite understand that humans were responsible for this until later, though. I think that I started identifying as an environmentalist by ninth grade,” Kennedy said.
After hearing about the strikes, Kennedy wanted to be involved.
“I often feel powerless in the fight against climate change … Collective action is the only way that we will mitigate climate change and the damage it causes in a meaningful way. Organizing is the best way for an everyday individual to make an impact on their community, however large or
small their community is.”
It's important to Lee to be involved in Fridays for Future for those living now and for generations to come.
“We are all, everywhere in the world, in the same boat, rich and poor, old and young. So many people don't understand how serious the situation is,” said Lee.
“Governments have too much pressure from big business interests to instigate the necessary changes … We, the people, must bring the necessary pressure to bear that will allow for change,” continued Lee.
As an international movement, Fridays at lunchtime wherever they are has been designated the time for their protests.
“I hope that the action … will keep reminding people that this problem won't go away until we deal with it,” said Lee. “It is a scary subject and people are understandably unwilling to look at it.
But many of the cars that pass
us on Main Street honk their horns in support; many people stop and talk to the demonstrators; some choose a sign and stand with the group.”
Kennedy also hopes it speaks to politicians.
“… it should be top of mind for them as well,” said Kennedy.
“When we started the rallies last year many people looked away. Far fewer now do that now … We can do things to bring about climate justice, with good jobs and a good life for everyone. Each step forward matters.”
Kennedy says the protests are great, but more is needed.
“While I recognize the value of these rallies to remind people of the issue, I don't believe that simply attending protests and rallies is enough. I think that specific demands need to be asked of governments. Well thought-out solutions need to be presented that will solve the issues that are causing and caused by climate change,” said Kennedy.