Climate Strike,

Friday Sept 20, 2019

We have just lived through a remarkable event that is likely the first and only world-wide undertaking inspired by a child. The event was organized and attended by millions of activists around the world. I know because I was one of them. Just in case you missed news of the event, here is my report.

The event was a one-day Friday Strike and demonstration, organized to promote and provoke action on behalf of our planet that is in dire peril. Climate experts around the world agree that our planet and all life thereupon are in great danger as a consequence of man-made air pollution. The first and most recent Climate Strike occurred on Friday, September 20 to reflect the rising tide of public opinion that our climate is changing and temperatures are warming as a result of the huge increase in carbon dioxide that is poisoning our atmosphere from burning fossil fuels.


The Friday event was inspired by Greta Thunberg, a sixteen-year-old child from Sweden who left her school to sit alone on the doorstep of the Swedish Parliament with a hand lettered sign concerning climate change. Her message and determination were so compelling that she was invited inside to address the parliamentarians. The resulting publicity from her speech created a ripple across her nation that ultimately became a tidal wave of public opinion around the world. Her initial single-person demonstration became known as The Climate Strike, sending citizens to the streets of most major cities in the United States and around the world. The US hosted 1000 Climate Strike events. Similar events were held in 137 nations in all seven continents. The events attracted huge crowds everywhere. The New York City event drew 220,000 marchers and photos from the Dublin, Ireland event hint at a crowd as least as large. The Sierra Club estimated that as many as 4 million people attended events around the world.


The event in Montreal was as large as any, hosting an estimated ½ million demonstrators. Events in South America, Europe and other nations were equally impressive with movies of the events showing parading masses of humans striking for change.

Montreal Climate Change Demonstration

 I attended the Sept. 20 Climate Strike held in Traverse City Michigan. Our event was not so large as those in any of the large cities, but it seemed to have just as much enthusiasm among the 200 plus citizens who attended, including a number of school-age youngsters scattered among those of us from the senior set. Ours was a demonstration with marchers congregating next to a busy street, hoisting hand-made signs for passing motorists to see. Most motorists signaled their sympathy with our efforts by honking their horns, waving, and shouting their agreement as they passed by.


Marching with others of a similar persuasion was a heady experience. I appreciated the sentiments offered by the hand-lettered signs and the solidarity of marching with a wide swath of local citizenry; mothers with children and grandparents with canes, youngsters absent from school (as was Gretta who remained in New York) a host of ‘ordinary Joe’s and Josettes.’ Here are a few of them who showed that they care passionately about convincing our political leaders of the need for change to improve our atmosphere.

Public opinion polls now show that most people are supporters of the need to implement laws that will protect our atmosphere. Depending upon the nation polled and the survey questions, supporters’ number in the realm of 80% and higher. Among climate scientists, the number of supporters is a whopping 97%. These trends are world-wide. In fact, the United States stands alone as the only major industrialized nation with a leader who refuses to recognize climate change and a political party that follows his lead. Fortunately, that is of little consequence since the support for climate change action in the US is strong and cities and state governments are proceeding to implement climate changes steps despite the ignorance of our President.