Local children took to the streets to urge elected leaders and federal candidates to address the climate crisis like the emergency it is.
Babies for Climate Action, a non-partisan group started by New West moms concerned about climate change, organized a baby/child-friendly rally in Hyack Square on Aug. 21. About a dozen families with children gathered in Hyack Square on Saturday for a playdate-protest.
“Our babies and kids are inheriting a world that’s on fire, boiling, melting, shattering and dying,” organizer and local mom Meaghan Taylor-Reid said in a news release. “Today was demanding that climate emergencies must be declared, and action plans set that decrease emissions to sustain life for future generations. If we don’t raise our voices now, we will regret not acting for generations to come.”
Saturday’s event featured bubbles, sidewalk chalk and an urgent call for federal candidates to prioritize the climate crisis.
“There is no greater time to act,” Taylor-Reid said. “Please vote, participate and learn.”
In the fall of 2019, members of Babies for Climate Action appeared before New Westminster city council to urge the city to “be bold” with its efforts to address the climate crisis. As their children played in council chambers, parents noted their futures were at stake if climate change isn’t addressed immediately.
Past events hosted by Babies for Climate Action have included a Climate Science 101 primer for activists in September 2019 and a climate change debate in October 2019 as part of that fall’s federal election campaign.
In October 2020, the group hosted an activity circle at Queen’s Park, which included a socially distanced storytime (featuring environment-themed kids’ books) and family advocacy. Interested families were able to join in a letter-writing campaign to politicians, while socializing with other families with young children.
For more information or to get involved, go to the Babies for Climate Action – New Westminster page on Facebook.
Follow Theresa McManus on Twitter @TheresaMcManus
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