By Bill Stovin
The refrain of “What do we want? Climate justice! When do we want it? Now!” resonated through the streets of downtown Vancouver Friday as hundreds of people from students to seniors gathered to demand action by government on the climate crisis.
The Climate Strike march and rally was aimed at three goals –
- An end to oil and gas expansion in British Columbia;
- A ban on natural gas as a heating source in new buildings in Vancouver;
- The protection of people, nature and Indigenous rights.
For Chloe Fraser, a volunteer with the Climate Strike Coalition, the climate crisis is hurting those things she cares about such as housing and health.
“I see how climate change is making life more difficult and more expensive for a lot of us in Vancouver and that’s what brings me out today.”
What gives you hope?
Chloe Fraser, Climate Strike Coalition
“Honestly, the sense of community that can come out of this. It forces us to question how we’ve come here and how we’ve ended up here. It also gives us an opportunity to reflect and imagine a better world, a better society for ourselves.’
Fraser has been an environmental activist since she was 15 years old and helped to plan this year’s climate strike. She is now 23.
“I realized not long ago that I might not have access to the same privileges and comforts that my parents take for granted in their day to day life. I want to be able to live a life like my parents where I’m happy, I’m healthy and I don’t have to worry about wildfire smoke or flooding, and where I can afford to live, buy food and fresh produce. Climate change is standing in the way of all of it.”
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