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Fighting for the Future: Climate change activists protest outside Fredericton Legislature

Mary Gannon , , ,

On March 15th, teenagers and children flooded the front of the New Brunswick legislature. Despite the rain there was a large turn-out, with protesters cheering and chanting for change.

A protester in the crowd begins a chant on rising CO2 levels. (Mary Gannon/STU Journalism)

Green Party leader David Coon rallied the crowd by celebrating three Members of Parliament from the Green Party in New Brunswick and strides the government is taking to improve sustainability and better the environment.

David Coon addressed the responsibility of the Higgs government to take action. (Mary Gannon/STU Journalism)

A poster-making session was held before the protest, where participants created signs targeting environment induced animal suffering and the overproduction and overuse of oil, with many saying “I’m with Greta”, referring to Greta Thunberg, a 16-year-old climate change activist from Sweden, currently nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize.

Greta Thunberg is the recent face of climate change, spurring protests throughout the world. (Mary Gannon/STU Journalism)

Many pickets also addressed rising CO2 levels and the dire need to reduce Carbon emissions in the near future.

Signs stood atop a hill to ensure all would see the messages. (Mary Gannon/STU Journalism)

Former St.Thomas University Professor, Nadine Ives, has a PhD in Biology and 30 years experience in the field of Plant ecology.

“Young people and students around the world are fed up with adults who have not been taking this seriously. We have these adults coming with uninformed opinions that just have some conspiracy theories that aren’t based on science,” said Ives.

Skeptical anti-protesters argue with activists over the validity of climate change. (Mary Gannon/STU Journalism)

Ives  said the younger generation will be the ones dealing with the effects of this problem and she is there as an ally.

“I was learning the science before climate change was an issue. I was measuring gas exchange on plants in the 1980’s. Every day I would have to measure ambient CO2 to calibrate my instruments, so I know what it used to be. When you see the reported measures its like, whoa, that’s different than it was when I was doing my graduate research,” said Ives.

A boy yelled, “climate change is real,” while the girl said, “action is needed now.” (Mary Gannon/STU Journalism)

Following Coon’s address, protesters were welcomed to the stage to spread their message saying, “say no to straws, shop locally, bike don’t drive.” Even children grabbed the megaphone to cheer on change and incite action.

The protest was filled with English and French signs showing support from the entire community. (Mary Gannon/STU Journalism)

Though the event was predominantly held for the younger generation, many allies attended in support of the cause. One man cheered while sporting a sign that read, “Arrêtons L’arrosage”, referencing the spraying of pesticides on forests in New Brunswick.

Chants condemned the government for their inaction. Protesters cheered, “The time is now” and “It’s our future.” (Mary Gannon/STU Journalism)

Hundreds filed into the front of the legislative building to show the Higgs government that inaction and denial will not work. Protesters in New Brunswick are tired of its government avoiding climate change and unanimously agree change must happen now.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mary Gannon

My name is Mary Gannon. I am a student at St.Thomas University majoring in Journalism. I am originally from Toronto and interested in journalism because of the travelling opportunities and family members in the field. I love coffee, dogs and listening to music.