Recently there has been a lot of attention on the topic of climate change and global environmental policies. With Canada’s federal election having just past and Greta Thunberg’s powerful viral video of her speech at the UN, there has been a lot of pressure on political leaders to step up to the plate and put the wellbeing of the planet above all else.

Students, parents, teachers, and concerned citizens have been participating in climate strikes all over the world, and I am grateful to have been a part of the strike that took place in Vancouver this past September.  It felt incredibly empowering to be surrounded by people who were all standing up for the planet together. Speeches were given by children who are concerned about their futures, and everyone listened intently. Signs with phrases of anger, caution, and hope for change were seen everywhere. As exciting as it was to be a part of this important event in history, it was also deeply disappointing that it has come to this.

As a young student, I know that the actions that I take now will affect my future, and that is why I chose to participate in the climate strike. Schools supported students attending the strike by cancelling classes and children stepped up to remind adults that there will be no bright future for us if we turn a blind eye towards the environment and let our planet continue to suffer.

This climate strike might be over, but there are still ways we can continue to support the planet. Eating a more plant-based diet is the most effective way to personally reduce your carbon footprint. Other sustainable practices to try out are shopping second-hand, supporting local brands and businesses, minimizing single-use plastic consumption and reusing products you already have. It can be overwhelming to move towards a more sustainable lifestyle if you try take on everything at once, so it is important to start small and work on one thing at a time. It is not about being perfect, but about everyone making a conscious effort to be better each day. 

Thanks for reading,
Maia