ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — Jasmine Paul hopes to take over her parents’ fishing enterprise one day, yet with the world’s climate crisis threatening the future like an oncoming swell threatens a boat, she wonders if there will be a fishery to take part in by then.
Paul, 31, is one of an expected huge crowd to take part today in the climate-crisis strike and march in St. John’s.
“I love the fishery and that’s a big reason why I’m so interested in climate change,” said Paul, who fishes with her parents out of Arnold’s Cove.
“I do see the effects first hand of how things have changed in our natural environment, since I was a little kid. Being connected with that career and living that kind of lifestyle really makes you more aware, and you can see it for yourself, what’s happening.
“I do hope to take over my parents’ fishing enterprise maybe in a dozen years, so I want to make sure there’s not only a job for me in the future, but there’s food for people to eat as well, that we can still go on the water. And have fun and spend time with our families, and not scrimp and scrape to get something to eat, and feel safe.”
As the clock strikes 11 a.m. today at the Memorial University (MUN) clock tower on the St. John’s campus, a huge crowd is expected to amass to take part in a climate-crisis strike — one of many being held throughout the country and world, and heightened in importance this year after a movement started by 16-year-old Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg.
"I want to make sure there’s not only a job for me in the future, but there’s food for people to eat as well, that we can still go on the water." — Jasmine Paul
People of all ages are expected to attend the event, which will include a march from the clock tower to the Confederation Building, where speeches and activities will run to 2 p.m.
Social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook have been filled with comments by people who plan to attend the march. MUN, colleges and high schools have relaxed rules to allow students — and in some cases staff — to attend the march. A number of businesses have also indicated their intention to allow staff time off to attend the march.
Paul, who is also an artist and writer, hopes all the candidates and parties in the federal election will pay attention to the climate-crisis strikes occurring today.
“I think about what effect our behaviour is having on the environment, especially animals and plants, and what kind of future and opportunity we are going to be leaving for our children,” Paul said. “I grew up spending my time outside, very connected to nature. So, I think if children don’t have that opportunity in the future, that would be really unfair to them.
“I think a lot more people are realizing what danger we are in from climate change, the rising sea and temperatures. I think a lot of people are ready now to say something about it and to show, too, that they’ve had enough. And really put the numbers out there that we are not satisfied to keep going on this way, we do want to see change and we are ready for people to take some leadership. And to do what must be done.”
Supporting youth
Peg Norman, owner of The Travel Bug and Bees Knees in St. John’s, said it will take an action shift and the way people think to change behaviours that have brought on the climate crisis.
The focus of her business, she noted, is already one of being more responsible.
“I am essentially paying my staff to go to the march,” Norman said. “There has to be better engagement, more people taking this seriously. I want every adult to support the young people who are fighting (against) climate change. Young people are the ones that will have to move mountains.”
Norman said she is optimistic that change will come, particularly if the issue is made an important one during the federal election. She said people who are in positions to make a decision on greenhouse gas emissions and the environment are falling behind.
“It is a trickle up effect, not trickle down as we speak to our leaders about this,” she said. “We have to demand better of our leadership.
“Collectively, we can change our minds on how we live. Instead of jumping in your car and driving to the store, perhaps you could walk, or you could put a bag in your car for when you go to the store for something. (You look at) single-use plastic bags — they are just a drop in the bucket of what plastics we use, that we put back into the environment.”
Urgent situation
Millions of students and supporters worldwide are expected to participate in the Global Climate Strike. During a similar strike last Friday, more than four million people took part around the globe in the strike for action against climate change.
St. John’s lawyer Kirsten Morry said she became involved in the movement because the climate crisis has developed faster and is far more serious than predicted.
“Decision-makers — all of us really — have to take this seriously and take the steps that are necessary,’’ Morry said. “I feel unsure about my long-term future, the future for my friends and family. To show up at this march illustrates to people I know that I am willing to stand and take action on this issue. It is a priority.”
Morry will march with her boyfriend and several coworkers in support of action against climate change. She said the group is excited about being part of something that should make a difference. She said Newfoundland and Labrador is not immune to the climate crisis. Whatever happens globally, she noted, will affect the province.
“It is upsetting it took so long (for this type of movement),” she said. “It is incumbent on us to ask the powerful people to make a change and for ordinary people to illustrate the urgency of this.”
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