Around 40 people came out for the Global Climate Strike event in downtown Red Deer on Friday. (rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

climate crisis

Global Climate Strike sweeps into Red Deer

Sep 27, 2019 | 5:13 PM

Inspired by the worldwide movement spearheaded by Swedish teenager Greta Thunberg, around 40 people participated in Red Deer’s version of the Global Climate Strike on Friday in the city’s downtown.

Thunberg was in Montreal where an estimated 500,000 people marched in the streets; the teen, who received the key to the city from Mayor Valerie Plante, told Justin Trudeau in a private meeting that he needs to do more to combat climate change and protect the Earth.

Maddy Koch, 18, said Thunberg’s speech to the United Nations last week is what motivated her to attend the climate strike in Red Deer.

“Its true, people who should be in school working for their future and the future for everybody — what’s the point of going if we can’t even guarantee that thirty years down the line, the things we’re going to school for are even going to matter? It really does show that anybody can lead and make a change, no matter how old or young,” remarked Koch, who added that she tries to purchase items that are sustainable, including bamboo toothbrushes.

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“No matter how rich you are, whether you’re in the oilfields or not, you can’t outrun climate change, and no one is safe.”

11-year-old Penhold boy Tristan Adams was on hand with a sign that read ‘You’ll die of old age. We’ll die of climate change.’

Maddy Koch and Kendra Humphrey participated in Friday’s Global Climate Strike event in Red Deer. Humphrey says people young and old need to come together for climate justice, and that it’s frustrating there are people who deny what’s happening. (rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

“I’m really some kind of a nature kid; I really love nature. (This cause) is very important for my future and the kids of the future. It makes me feel pretty proud that Greta (is doing this),” he said.

Tristan’s father, Troy, expressed happiness for his son’s awareness of what’s happening to the planet, and applauded the work of those at the forefront of the Global Climate Strike movement.

“His mother is Aboriginal, so we take natural resources very seriously. It’s a big part of his life,” the elder Adams said. “I think re-training people into different sectors of energy (would be good) … All the bad flak (Thunberg gets) is actually a compliment. That means what she’s doing is working.”

Friday’s event in Red Deer was facilitated by the Red Deer branch of The Council of Canadians, whose chair is Christopher D’Lima. He acknowledges governments do need to take stronger action, but urges Canadians to look to what they can do as individuals.

Eleven-year-old Tristan Adams took part in the event Friday, saying he cares about the planet and other kids his age should too. (rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

“Justin (Trudeau) can legislate a lot of things in terms of stricter environmental laws and controls, but I want to stress that it’s not up to the leaders, it’s up to each one of us,” he said.

“There is a climate crisis and a climate emergency … and it has accelerated. Scientific evidence shows glaciers are melting twice as fast as they thought, the seas are getting more acidic, and there’s more environmental pollution.”