Think global, march local

Photo: Darren Handschuh

Close to 70 people marched to the steps of the Vernon courthouse, Sunday, to raise awareness of climate change and to encourage the nation's leaders to take action.

Carrying signs and banners, participants braved a cold afternoon to be part of a global protest on climate change.

“There is a huge amount of people marching in Ottawa right now,” said local co-organizer Mary Stockdale to the cheer of the crowd.

World leaders, including prime minister Justin Trudeau, are meeting in Paris to discuss the issue.

Stockdale said the Vernon march was not only to raise awareness, but to encourage the new Liberal government to take action nationally and globally.

“It's not going to be easy to make the necessary changes, so let's support out leaders,” Stockdale told the crowd.

Stockdale said Canada needs to get away from its fossil-fuel dependency by building a green infrastructure that does not rely on fossil fuels, adding the infrastructure that is built today will still be in use 40 years from now.

Stockdale said indigenous rights must be recognized and she praised First Nations people for their efforts to protect the environment.

The government and industry must also invest in clean, low-carbon jobs.

Stockdale said the goal is to have industry and nations use 100 per cent renewable energy by 2050.

According to information handed out at the rally, the worst impacts of climate change can be staved off if 80 per cent of known fossil fuels remain in the ground and emissions are cut by 80-90 per cent over the next 35 years.