I went to the Climate Strike at Santa Rosa Courthouse Square because I never went to a climate protest and was curious about who else would come. But also, the climate is very important to me as my father was a Green Energy Inspector. I was surprised to see children with their teachers protesting together about the issue of climate change because I was unaware that climate change is such a serious problem that children even skip school to get their point across. People during the protest held signs and displayed art projects.
All around the world and in all 50 states, almost 1,200 strikes took place to communicate with world governments to start making changes to better the environment. The younger generation spoke about the governments’ and corporations' carelessness towards the ecosystem. Because of the lack of action against climate change, the temperature will continue to rise and worsen unless climate change is taken seriously.
As I listened to a speaker from the North Bay Organizing Project, discussing protecting Mother Nature, I thought about how we have taken advantage of the Earth just by dropping a plastic bag on the floor. I do believe the government has ignored this issue for too long and it is time to address climate issues with new policies on making more eco-friendly policies.
I have never seen a community come together and sing during a protest. I felt welcome. It made me want to make a difference when I heard people singing different songs such as Weaving Earth. Community members were encouraged to go to different booths that were set up around the Square. Sunrise Sonoma County Hub, 350 Sonoma, Daily Acts, Climate Reality Project, and many more organizations were tabling about their work fighting climate change. Not only that, but also voter registration booths were set-up for eligible voters to sign-up for the upcoming election.
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One teenage speaker, Natasha, wrote a poem about climate change, “We can't afford silence anymore...Then, is now. We are still here...We are living on borrowed time… it is going to get worse...Do your research, find the problem and solve it. Think globally, plant seeds, and give the respect Mother Nature needs.” When hearing her poem, emotions filled me about how the Earth may get worse if no one acts. I saw images flash through my mind of what the Earth may look like with garbage covering the water, trash on our homes, and the air covered in black smoke.
Over the last several years, California had experienced significant problems with climate change. In the years of 2016 to present, California experienced the worst drought in history, many wildfires occurring in both Southern and Northern California, and the Golden State experiencing a coastal threat due to Antarctica and Greenland’s ice melting. These examples are only from California. I am committed to doing small changes in my life on making the climate better. I hope for the future, people will act to push the government to create policies that address climate change.