"Why should any young person be made to study for a future when no one is doing enough to save that future? What is the point of learning facts when the most important facts given by the finest scientists are ignored by our politicians?"
So said Swedish teenager Greta Thunberg. Last year, she started a personal school strike to demand climate action. Countless young people all over the world joined her in what became known as the #fridaysforfuture strikes.
Now, school strikers are asking people of all ages to join a global climate strike on September 20th. Over one million people are expected to participate globally. Locally, starting at noon you can join at Burlington City Hall for a rally with live music, poetry, public art project, free Ben & Jerry's and speakers including inspiring youth activists.
A strike, leaving work or class, is a purposeful disruption of business-as-usual, just like taking adequate action to address climate change will require. Journalist David Wallace-Wells offers a helpful frame of reference, saying that an appropriate response will require a global mobilization at the scale of World War II.
Importantly, this movement is centered on climate justice, because we are not all equals in our uncertain future. Climate change hits our most vulnerable populations first, which is why environmentalist Bill McKibben is urging, "if you have some flexibility in your life, it's time to put it to work." I hope to see you on Friday!
Sep 29, 2024, 3:45 to 5:15 PM
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