Photo: Cindy Rhyason

A rally took place on the steps of the Vernon Courthouse, Saturday, but it wasn’t the Yellow Vests (as previously advertised by that organization).

Braving cool temperatures, a small group of youths took to the steps with placards and a bullhorn, explaining that immediate action is needed to save the planet. They represent members of the group Canadian Youth for Change, a local chapter of Earth Strike.

The group’s spokesperson, Kieran Grandbois, said: “We believe that it’s important for youth to realize the issues surrounding us because it’s our future, it’s our world to inherit, and we want a world to inherit.”

At its core, they are a group of high school students united in their passion and commitment in taking action for saving Earth from climate change. The biggest obstacle Grandbois sees to attaining this is "politics.”

Grandbois explains, “The best time to take action was 50 years ago, and the only other time is right now. Youth is often viewed as being naive, but being naive is to ignore decades of research on the causes of climate change.”

A major part of the solution, as they see it, is stricter government environmental regulations and their enforcement.

The group hopes to grow its numbers with like-minded citizens, regardless of age.

Meanwhile, the planned Yellow Vest protest proved to be a no show.

The event was supposed to co-ordinate with others across the country.

A message from the group's BC Facebook moderator, Pat Raisbeck, called the no show as, “a miscommunication."

No numbers were submitted on turnout at other locations. However, Raisbeck says “…there are valiant, committed folks in almost all listed locations.”

Another cross-country rally is scheduled for Feb. 16.