A group of eco conscious Salmon Arm locals took advantage of a beautiful fall afternoon to encourage actions that ensure many more such days.
On Friday, Sept. 27, Shuswap Climate Action Society (SCAS) chair Julia Beatty led the annual Climate March and Rally that saw approximately 40 people gather at the Ross Street Plaza to advocate for planet health. That included two young speakers who encouraged everyone to do what they can, as even small actions make a bigger impact than one might think.
JL Jackson Secondary Grade 12 student Evje Knutson, who started an Eco Club in Grade 9, said that while her generation can feel ineffectual, they can make a difference.
"As young people, we feel we can't do a lot," she said of being too young to vote and financially limited. "So one thing I'm a huge believer in is imperfect environmentalism, just doing what you can, even if it's not necessarily perfect. Just taking small steps to do what you can personally."
Fellow Jackson student Vienne Bredick, Grade 10, agreed, adding that she notices a lot of peers turning a blind eye to the problem and don't think about how their choices now affect the future.
"I think it's time, especially youth, to take action to save what is ours, because we're not just thinking about today, we're not just thinking about ourselves," she said. "We need to think about the future, because I want the next generation... to live in a beautiful place like Salmon Arm. I want my future kids to be able to have these opportunities and this wonderful world around us.
"Climate change is not a one-man problem, and it's not a one-man solution."
Following enthusiastic applause for their impassioned speeches, retired teacher and longtime environmental activist Kim Fulton took to the stage where he let his alter ego Lorax speak for him.
"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, things are not going to get better, they're not," he quoted from the Dr. Seuss book in explanation of his costume and 'Unless' sign.
Fulton agreed with the student speakers that everyone needs to do their part, no matter how small, while encouraging those gathered to take advantage of the seedlings available there to "plant trees, they're the lungs of the earth."
To close the event, Beatty said a few words of her own and asked people to do something proactive every day and, in light of the upcoming election, encouraged everyone to do their own research in advance of the vote.
"We are in a provincial election... please don't fall for the cheesy slogans that tell you one misinformed and incomplete side of climate policies that are proven to be effective," she said.
