Two L.V. Rogers students plan to demand climate action from the Canadian government, and they want to do it in-person. Linn Murray and Alyssa Taburiaux are currently crowd-funding to make the trip possible.
“Right now in Canada we find ourselves at a critical tipping point — a cross-roads in our collective story — and I would like to show that our generation can take positive action on the issue,” said Linn.
The pair of Grade 12 students have already raised half of their $2,400, which will go towards air fare and accommodations. And once they arrive in Ottawa they plan to express their concern about the future of the planet.
“I want my little sisters to grow up without having to worry about whether they will have clean air to breathe and fresh water to drink,” said Taburiaux.
She feels fortunate to have grown up in the Kootenays, and wants future generations to share her love of nature.
“I spent my summers swimming in our crystal clear lakes and rivers, and winters skiing with my family. I have always had a deep love and appreciation for nature. And that is why I am very concerned and worried about climate change.”
And she wants the government to know that.
“We’ll be partnered with other members of Citizen’s Climate Lobby and then we’ll meet individually with members of parliament,” she said.
“If we don’t change what we’re doing now we’ll continue heading down a scary, scary path.”
Murray’s been involved in the environmental movement as part of his upbringing, but one specific incident that struck him was the draught in California. He used to live in Oregon.
“We used to get a ridiculous amount of precipitation, but since the draught has picked up you can visually see that there’s way lower snow levels, way less rain. It was being able to see the effects of climate change right now, in my own backyard, that really got me.”
Murray would like to see a more progressive carbon tax than what’s currently on offer, and he wants to see certain parts of the fossil fuel economy phased out entirely. He’d like to see a commitment to support clean energies like wind and solar.
“Thank you to everyone who’s supported us so far, we really appreciate that. It makes us feel like we’re able to represent all the people in our school, and the community, so we have a voice in this debate.”
The pair will travel with environmentalist Laura Sacks, and participate in the Citizen’s Climate Lobby national conference from November 26 to 29.
Their crowd-funding site is chuffed.org/project/help-canadian-youth-fight-for-action-on-climate-change.