TRURO, N.S. — Clem Werner may have been the youngest person at Truro’s global climate strike, but he wasn’t short on commitment.
“I feel it’s not right that there’s not more action on climate change,” said the nine-year-old École acadienne de Truro. “We only have 11 years left before there’s so much damage the risk of drought and floods will be much worse. We have to act now, and I feel like one of the best ways to do that would be for everyone to go vegan.”
Clem and his mother adopted a vegan diet in September 17 for health reasons and have now recognized the environmental benefits of their diet.
About 50 people showed up at the Civic Square for the climate strike on Friday, March 15, speaking out in solidarity with young people around the world.
“I’m really passionate about the environment and do everything I can to try to spread awareness,” said Cameryn Mattie, a Cobequid Educational Centre student and one of the organizers of the strike. “These strikes are taking part because of the lack of action on climate change. I hope the global movement will wake up corporations and others about the need for change.”
Cameryn is one of four students, from the CEC and École acadienne de Truro, who got together to organize the Truro gathering.
She said some people questioned having the event during school hours, but one of the messages of the strike is that if action isn’t taken to protect the environment, education – along with everything else – won’t matter.
“I believe climate change is a global responsibility,” said Kirsty Stevenson, another CEC student. “It’s up to us to make sure governments are doing a better job and we should all take steps to help. If everyone makes small steps it adds up to something massive.”
Students around the world gathered in public places on Friday to speak out about the environment.
