The student strike and demonstration to protest the failure of world leaders to tackle global warming surpassed expectations, an organizer of Greater Victoria’s event said Sunday.
“Wow, it was absolutely incredible,” said Antonia Paquin, a 21-year-old second-year student at the University of Victoria. “The energy was just astounding,” said Paquin who is enrolled in environmental studies.
On Friday, students and teachers from high schools and post-secondary institutions in Greater Victoria walked out of classes and gathered at the B.C. legislature to demand action.
Organizers expected 1,000 people would attend, but the actual number was closer to double that, Paquin said.
The Victoria event was one of about 1,000 worldwide.
The protests were inspired by 16-year-old Swedish student Greta Thunberg, who first led her school in a walkout last year. Thunberg has been nominated for a Nobel Prize.
Paquin said the protest was a tonic and a boost for people like her.
She said she and so many of her peers often feel helpless and isolated as the world continues to warm and politicians, business people and leaders of all kind refuse to take action.
That lack action is causing depression among young people, she said. She herself, as an environmental studies major, has on occasions been forced to leave class to deal with her emotions.
She cited the latest report from the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change which gives the world 12 years before climate will have changed catastrophically for the planet.
“Most people are worried but especially young folk who are facing the idea they might not even have a future,” said Paquin. “It’s quite terrifying.”
“But we have every kind of policy idea and we have all the technology we need to do something,” she said. “All we need now is political will and leadership.”
