A group in Thunder Bay was just one of many across the country lending their voice to speak out against climate change.
More than 50 people gathered in Hillcrest Park on Saturday afternoon as part of the national Defend Our Climate, Defend Our Communities protests that oppose oil sands development and the use of pipelines.
Local protest organizer Natalie Gerum was encouraged by the support, and said the day of action is timely.
“A number of decisions are coming down the pipe in the next few weeks and months that are going to affect our country,” Gerum explained.
“The governments of Alberta, BC, Ontario and the federal government are really making significant decisions about our country’s economy and environmental record. I think the hope is that the Canadian government wakes up and recognizes our path of putting us on a carbon economy is going to turn us into fossil fools.”
The Canada-wide initiative held demonstrations in at least 130 communities.
Among those in attendance at the local rally were Thunder Bay—Superior North MP Bruce Hyer and Current River Coun. Andrew Foulds.
Fellow organizer Paul Berger said awareness for the cause seems to be growing locally.
“We want this to grow, and it’s bigger than the last time we had it,” Berger said. “We want Thunder Bay to be on the map and stand up and say we’re not doing nothing. It’s really gratifying to see a lot of people here.”
The rally occurs at a time when issues surrounding fossil fuels dominate national headlines.
Berger said off-shore drilling, fracking, oil sands and pipelines are all correlated, and they increase the dependency on harmful energy sources.
The impacts upon climate are already becoming apparent, he added.
“Right now we’re in act one of climate change,” Berger said.
“We have storms, droughts, fires and heat waves and people are starting to realize we’ve got problems but they’re not aware this is just act one and we’re heading for worse things.”
