Message from Lopez Youth

Submitted by Isara Greacen

On Friday, Sept. 20, Lopez youth and adults joined the historic youth-led global climate strike. Likely the largest climate protest in world history, an estimated 4 million people worldwide mobilized to demand climate action.

“We all share concerns for the state of the earth and what that means for our future,” said Isara Greacen, a 10th-grade student at Lopez School who helped organize the event, addressing the crowd that gathered at Blossom Grocery.

“We have already passed the tipping point for stopping climate change but that doesn’t mean that we should just give up and stop trying. Because hope is doing the right thing regardless of the outcome. We need everyone’s help to ensure that our generation and the next to come will have a liveable future,” said Greacen.

“When my friends and I marched for the climate last year, we had only nine people. This time, we have over 150 people!” added Naima Garcia, a seventh-grader at Lopez School.

The youth then led the adults in the march around the village, singing and chanting songs for the planet while holding colorful signs, flags and earth-themed artworks.

After the march, they gathered at Grace Hall for a follow-up climate action workshop. As part of the workshop, youth (all girls!) came up with a letter to adults:

Dear Adults,

In order to ensure that we and generations to come have a chance at a liveable future, please:

• Help animals.

• Don’t waste paper.

• Ride in electric vehicles, not gas ones.

• Tell other people about climate change and how to help.

• Don’t buy things with lots of packaging.

• Use compostable toilets.

• Plant more flowers, vegetables and trees.

• Reuse clothing.

• Don’t make kids do so much homework.

• Don’t litter and help pick up trash.

• Use reusable bags and items over other options if possible.

• Eat locally.

• Give kids less screen time.

• Think about your decisions.

• Let us buy horses.

• Be better people.

• Listen to kids.

• Vote for people who will protect the Earth.

Students joined the climate strike on Sept. 20. <em>(Heather Harrison/contributed photo)</em>

Students joined the climate strike on Sept. 20. (Heather Harrison/contributed photo)

<em>(Heather Harrison/contributed photo)</em>

(Heather Harrison/contributed photo)

<em>(Heather Harrison/contributed photo)</em>

(Heather Harrison/contributed photo)

<em>(Heather Harrison/contributed photo)</em>

(Heather Harrison/contributed photo)

<em>(Heather Harrison/contributed photo)</em>

(Heather Harrison/contributed photo)

<em>(Heather Harrison/contributed photo)</em>

(Heather Harrison/contributed photo)

<em>(Heather Harrison/contributed photo)</em>

(Heather Harrison/contributed photo)

<em>(Heather Harrison/contributed photo)</em>

(Heather Harrison/contributed photo)