More than 100 Lethbridge residents gathered at city hall to show their support for global rallies calling for action on climate change last Sunday, despite the cold weather.
Thousands u of people took part in rallies worldwide looking for leaders to take action for climate change during the United Nations 21st Conference of the Parties in Paris.
The rally was in coordination with 2,500 others organized across the planet, Lethbridges organized here locally by Greensense, a group of citizens focused in promoting renewable energy.
Tom Caine, one of the founding fathers of Greensense and Environment Lethbridge was one keynote speaker at the podium, and his message was clear.
“No one person can be responsible for such a huge endeavour as a world wide healthy environment, it has to be a collective responsibility,” he remarked.
According to www.peoplesclimate.org organizers say that over 500,000 took part in the rallies worldwide marking Sunday one of the biggest global marches in history.
Hester Jiskoot, a Climate Scientist and glaciologist was another local supporter who came out voicing her concerns.
“I’ve known about this problem since the 80’s” she said, with hopes the leaders in Paris are able to come together to create meaningful policy that countries can act on
“There needs to be a better mobilization of the people and also an awareness of the politicians that this Paris climate meeting actually obtains a proper result,” she continued.
Rena Woss, current chair of Greensense notes that Alberta has a bad reputation in the burning of fossil fuels and hopes that Lethbridge community can use its academic resources to initiate change.
“We’ve got a worldclass university and a college with tremendous opportunity to expand the apprentice program to include apprenticeships within the renewable energy sector,” explained Woss.
Other keynote speakers included Mayor Chris Spearman and Lethbridge-East MLA Maria Fitzpatrick.
“This shows that we do have people in our community that really have awareness and want our leaders to take action. We are here because we want to encourage leaders to do the right thing, protect the thing most that gives us life—our planet,” concluded Woss.
In a December first release from the Alberta Government, Alberta has been formally welcomed as a member of the Climate Groups States and Region Alliance.
“I am very pleased Alberta is now a member, The issue of climate change has no borders–and by working together and learning from one another, no matter what our challenges we can all work more effectively towards meaningful actions on climate change.
The partnership will position the province within an international network of subnational jurisdictions around the world taking action on climate change.
Alberta announced a Climate Leadership Plan during the month of November, which Notley hopes will lead the province to an effective alternative to lower the carbon economy.
