Kamloops was one of many communities around the world participating in a demonstration today aimed at raising awareness on climate change.
Over 100 residents came waving signs and encouraging support towards a better planet. Kate Nanson, the event's organizer in the River City, explained that the demonstration was to put the earth first when it is so often forgotten about.
"It's a coordinated effort of people in Kamloops who are passionate and concerned about the environment," said Nanson. "We're all standing together and saying not only to our government that we want to see a change but to people all across the city."
"Elections are coming up, people are going to be voting, so kind of take a moment and think who they're voting for because that's obviously going to have a huge impact on us and our future. We're really fighting for our future here."
This movement coincides with Greta Thunberg's Climate Strike which has seen cities across the world taking action. Thunberg, a 16-year-old climate activist with Asperger's, has managed to put much of the world on climate watch. Nanson mentioned the support from the residents in the city, and the Green Party, over this issue, has been "crazy."
"It's so crazy because, the first one I organized back in March, there were probably about 100 people, so it was a really good turn out. After that, there was a little bit less so it was sort of discouraging. Now it's a new school year and I feel everyone is very present... It's so great to see so many more people involved and the people I have never met before, the people I don't know, the people who have heard about it through a friend and now we're all standing for something that we all believe in."
Iain Currie, the Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo Green Party Leader, was also in attendance, though he noted his appearance wasn't political.
"The importance is we need to do something, we care about this, it's really great seeing a whole city block just covered with people who are out here adding their voices to a global movement to act," said Currie.
"So today, I'm not thinking of the prospect for the Green Party, We don't get any of the credit for this, this isn't a political thing, except to the extent that acting for the climate requires political will. We're just calling on everybody today to stand up and make their voices heard. Before today I knew that people cared about this because we have to care about our kids future."
