Protesters gathered along Highway 19A to call on the government to do more to mitigate the effects of climate change. || Photo by Kevin Forsyth Protesters gathered along Highway 19A to call on the government to do more to mitigate the effects of climate change. || Photo by Kevin Forsyth Protesters gathered along Highway 19A to call on the government to do more to mitigate the effects of climate change. || Photo by Kevin Forsyth Protesters gathered along Highway 19A to call on the government to do more to mitigate the effects of climate change. || Photo by Kevin Forsyth Protesters gathered along Highway 19A to call on the government to do more to mitigate the effects of climate change. || Photo by Kevin Forsyth
Dozens of protesters gathered to demand more government action on climate change today (Sept. 8) in Parksville.
The demonstrators waved signs along Highway 19A, near NDP MP Gord Johns’ office, as passing drivers honked their horns.
The protest was organized by 350, an international movement dedicated to a transition to 100 per cent clean energy and bringing an end to new fossil fuel projects, according to its website.
“Despite the promises that have been made, our emissions continue to rise, which is the absolute opposite of what we need,” said Lorraine McAteer, who helped organize the Parksville protest, part of simultaneous demonstrations across the country, including many Island communities, such as Port Alberni, Duncan and Victoria.
“This is touching everybody on the planet. We’re doing this for everybody, we’re not doing it just for us or this community, we’re doing this for the world,” McAteer said. She added Johns attended the Port Alberni event and would not be addressing the Parksville protesters.
The protests were scheduled the day before the English federal election leaders debate to ensure the climate emergency is a top issue in the election, according to 350.org.
