The purpose of
this event is to raise awareness about climate change and to demand
environmental justice and equality. The march was broken up into contingents to
represent the different issues and publics affected by climate change. These
themed contingents were organized based on identity, location and issues.
University and college students were grouped with the “We Build the Future”
group.
Also part of
this group were elders, parents, kids and families. I thought it was interesting
that the old and young were placed in the same group titled “We Build the
Future.” All too often, the old and young are pit against each other. The older
generations turn their noses up at our “apathetic” ways. And sometimes our
generation’s access to unlimited information prevents us from seeing how we can
learn from our seniors. By placing the old and young in the same group, the
organizers of The People’s Climate March, made a powerful statement: Addressing
climate change will be a joint effort that will require all generations to work
together to create a greener, cleaner world for future generations.
What I liked
most about The People’s Climate March is its acknowledgement of the complexity
of climate change. It is an issue that affects countries, socio-economic
classes, economies, etc. in different ways. With this said, I’m glad the march
visually depict the complexity of climate change through the themed contingents
and the diversity of its participants.
The People’
Climate March was strategically planned to fall on the Sunday before the U.N.
gathered for a Climate Summit in New York City. This summit will occur on
Tuesday, Sept. 23rd. World leaders will gather to work out an
agreement to reduce global warming pollution.
Tweeting or
posting about climate change on our cyber walls is nice, but actions speak
louder than words. Midterm elections are coming up, and if you are 18 or older,
you have the opportunity to make your voice heard. Learn what political
candidates’ stances are on environmental issues and what their plan of action
is to address these issues. And if you could make it to the People’s Climate
Change march on Sept. 21st, you had the opportunity to be a part of
this historic moment.
For
information about the march, visit http://peoplesclimate.org/march/
For more
information about the Climate Summit, visit http://www.un.org/climatechange/summit/
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