Young climate heroes deserve our support
Re: “Island students join global climate rallies,” March 16.
There’s a new and exciting energy building around the world that might finally eliminate climate-destroying fossil fuels and usher in a refreshing greenhouse-gas-free way of being on this Earth.
In less than a year, the strong words of 16-year-old Swedish activist Greta Thunberg have grown into the more than 1.5-million, 200-country strong Global Students’ Strike for Climate held March 15.
“We are going to change the fate of humanity, whether you like it or not.” This is just a sample of her uncompromising words that have sparked this powerful phenomenon.
As with Greta, there was no mincing of words spoken to the huge crowd gathered at the B.C. legislature that day. Numerous school-aged speakers made it clear that the full and dire consequences of continued inaction fall directly and mercilessly upon them.
These youth are boldly stepping up to be the “adults in the room,” since “leaders” of a whole generation before them have failed to put little more than politically safe words into reducing greenhouse-gas emissions. These youth are afraid, angry, enthused and determined to save their future.
For the first time in 30 years, this senior feels hopeful about our collective ability to meet this difficult challenge. These Global Strikes for Climate are escalating — the next one is scheduled for May 3. These young heroes of our planet deserve our attention, support and, without a doubt, the right to vote. Gail Meston Victoria