Submitted by Fridays for the Future: Nelson
Local youth have organized a climate strike taking place in front of Nelson City Hall on Friday, to bring awareness to the massive environmental impacts of consumerism and the fast fashion industry.
“The fashion industry is responsible for more than 10 per cent of global emissions,” said Jade Osecki, 16, one of the organizers. Instead of simply bringing awareness to the issue of fast fashion the students want to also make an actual change so they will be holding a clothing swap at the strike. We are asking people to come to City Hall at 11 a.m. with any old clothing they want to exchange.”
“As we start the holiday season we want to remind people of the environmental and social impact of consumerism and that there are alternatives!” said Alyssa Taburiaux, another organizer. “The clothing swap is a good opportunity for people to get new clothes without contributing to the destruction of our earth.”
After the clothing swap, there will be a march starting at 12, followed by a series of speeches from the youth.
The first climate strike in Nelson took place in March. Since then, Nelson youth have organized seven strikes. “Some people ask us why we are still striking,” said Wa-ya Aeon. “We are still striking because we have yet to see the changes needed to keep global warming below 1.5 degrees. We have yet to see legitimate action.”
Throughout the world, the climate movement has continued to grow. Until world leaders and corporations take “legitimate climate action,” strikes across the world will continue, organizers said.