Youth climate protests Rekindle in Victoria amid global demonstrations

Youth climate activists in Victoria, Canada, are reigniting their fight for environmental justice. Beatrice Sharpe, a Grade 12 student, organized a protest at the B.C. legislature in September, attracting 150 people. The rally coincided with global climate demonstrations ahead of the United Nations Summit of the Future, aiming to pressure leaders to act on the climate crisis.

Sharpe, passionate about sustainability since childhood, believes the climate crisis urgency remains critical. “We cannot continue to live on this planet at the current rate without considering nature,” she said. The protest aimed to highlight the need for immediate climate action, calling on local and global leaders to prioritize the environment.

The September rally was part of worldwide climate demonstrations. In Canada, protests coincided with events in Europe, the U.S., and Australia, as activists highlighted environmental issues ahead of international summits. The global protests underscored youth activists’ frustrations, like Sharpe’s, with politicians slow to address climate concerns.

Sharpe, a climate activist, criticizes the B.C. government’s stance on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and its impact on old-growth forests. She believes leaders aren’t taking youth perspectives seriously. “It’s frustrating to see the government promote LNG as a sustainable fuel when it’s just another fossil fuel,” Sharpe said.

She hopes to revive the large-scale climate marches in Victoria before COVID-19, to galvanize public support ahead of the provincial elections. Sharpe and her peers believe today’s policies will shape their future, and they want their voices heard. “Politicians should consult the youth before passing any policy,” she emphasized, pointing out how youth voices are often ignored in political decision-making.

As co-head of her school’s sustainability council and a member of Victoria’s youth council, Sharpe plans to stay involved in climate activism and politics. She’s organizing more demonstrations and hopes to hold a town hall with local candidates to address youth concerns on climate issues.

For Sharpe and other young activists, the message is clear: their fight for a sustainable future is far from over. They’re committed to pushing for policies that prioritize green energy, ban old-growth forest deforestation, and build an economy based on well-being instead of GDP. “It matters that people show up,” Sharpe said. “Every voice counts, but together we have more impact.”

With more protests planned before the elections, the youth-led climate movement in Victoria aims to bring environmental issues back to the political forefront. 

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