Halifax HEATS Up for Climate Action

Hillary — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 20:20:34 +0000

International day of action on climate change brings out crowd

“I’m freezing, but that’s better than global warming!” said Naomi Wilson, Dalhousie international development student and concerned citizen. It was a sentiment shared by over four hundred people who rallied at the Halifax Commons Pavilion Saturday afternoon. October 24th marked the International Day of Climate Action, and despite the wet, wind, and cold, hardy Haligonians gathered to raise their voices and numbers to demand action on climate change by government and business, leading up to the Copenhagen climate talks this December.

Individuals, families, the young and old, students, community groups, and their pets arrived wearing climate change fashion, carrying banners, drums, and signs while speeches, live music, and demonstrations were presented. Guest speakers included Halifax MP Megan Leslie, District 12 Councillor Dawn Sloane and meteorologist Richard Zurawski. Both Mayor Kelly and Premier Dexter were invited, but were not in attendance.

A powerful youth demonstration was led by HEAT! (Helping the Earth by Acting Together) a Youth in Action group born from Adventure Earth Center summer programs. The youth held large photos of themselves as infants in 1995, demanding why little to no action on climate change has happened since then - when the world publicly acknowledged that humans cause climate change. HEAT demands strong and immediate climate action and refuses to accept future catastrophe due to lack of leadership by those presently in power.

“We may not be allowed to vote today, but we are all human beings!”said the HEAT group collectively. The group wrapped-up with a catchy and clever rap song and sing-along; the crowd responded with roaring applause.

Derek Gillis

Halifax HEATS Up for Climate Action