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Collingwood students join global climate strike

The group stopped traffic on Hurontario St. by standing on a crosswalk for about three to five minutes

Students from Collingwood Collegiate Institute led a climate strike and march from the school to town hall today to call for action against climate change. 

The strike was part of a global day of action with the Fridays for Future movement, which was inspired by the actions of Greta Thunberg and other youth activists who started climate strikes in front of the Swedish parliament. 

Grade 9 to 12 students marched on Sept. 23 at 11 a.m., many of whom are members of the schools environmental and youth action groups. They were joined by members of Pivot 2 Peace and Collingwood Climate Action Team. 

The group stood on the crosswalk in front of the town hall for about three to five minutes blocking traffic on Hurontario Street as part of their demonstration. There was little protest from the drivers of the vehicles who had to stop. Most turned around and took a different route.

Fridays for Future lists three goals for the climate strikes: 

  • Keep the global temperature rise below 1.5 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels
  • Ensure climate justice and equity 
  • Listen to the best, united science currently available. 

Some of the protesters referred specifically to Collingwood's recent council discussion around targets for greenhouse gas emission targets. Council agreed to have staff work on an action plan for reducing emissions, but has asked for the report back to include cost analysis for various emission reduction targets beginning with a 20 per cent reduction and including options going up from there. 

Collingwood Climate Action Team has been critical of this starting point, suggesting it's setting the bar too low. 

 


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Erika Engel

About the Author: Erika Engel

Erika regularly covers all things news in Collingwood as a reporter and editor. She has 15 years of experience as a local journalist
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