For Our Grandchildren, Future Generations & All Life
Greta Thunberg calls COP26 as a 'failure' at youth protest in Glasgow
Today Friday is Day 6 at COP 26, and before I get into to the highlights of the happenings at the Climate Summit in Glasgow, here is what some of us are doing locally.
Shortly before noon today I looked out my window at a gray cloudy sky. With a promise of rain in the forecast, I grabbed my well-worn sign, facemask, lightweight rain jacket, scarf, a warm pair of gloves and joined my Mendocino Coast climate activist friends in front of Fort Bragg’s Town Hall. Every Friday from noon to 1 p.m. we gather there, part of a non-partisan movement of “Elders Climate Action.” I try to show up more often now than not.
Our colorful signs have a message that is loud and clear-- our planet’s changing climate is an emergency and is affecting all of us and we are taking action.
This part of coastal Highway 1 that runs through Fort Bragg’s central downtown has a steady stream of traffic at 25mph; and right where we stand is a stoplight. So, this is a perfect perch to get the attention of folks out on their lunch break or doing errands; and there are tourists cruising through town — delivery trucks, pick-up trucks, trucks of all sorts and sizes, and even logging trucks.
Then there are some pick-up trucks who belch black smoke, a form of conservative protest. These jacked-up diesel pick-up trucks are customized to intentionally emit giant plumes of toxic smoke when they rev their engines. They call it “rollin’ coal,” and it’s something that is not fun to see or experience. Not a way to treat your elders!
We do get quite a few thumbs up, peace signs and folks honking their horns in solidarity.
WATCH US IN ACTION
You Tube: Elders Climate Action- Mendocino Coast (https://youtube.com/shorts/_-oNannjiaE?feature=share)
You just can’t stop Elders who are mobilizing to amplify the message of climate action!
Elders Climate Action members understand that our generation has a moral obligation to take responsibility for the climate crisis and help to preserve a livable planet for future generations. We are not just carrying signs, we are changing our own behaviors to reduce our carbon footprint, we are educating ourselves on climate issues, solutions and policy, and we are working to influence change in our local community and at the federal level.
Today Friday, 5 November 2021, It’s Nature Day at COP 26 “ Protecting and restoring nature for the benefit of people and climate.” https://ukcop26.org/nature/
BBC: Young people have taken to the streets of Glasgow to call for action at the COP26 climate change conference. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-59179181
From The Guardian, U.K. “At Cop26, I’ve found I have more in common with protesters than politicians”https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/nov/06/cop26-protesters-politicians-action-not-words
CNN: Greta Thunberg slams COP26 as a 'failure' at youth protest in Glasgow https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/05/europe/cop26-youth-protests-friday-intl/index.html
Photo Credit: CNN Fri November 5, 2021
Want to take action?
Elders Climate Action is Joining Our Voices with All Generations https://www.eldersclimateaction.org/
350.org is building a future that's just, prosperous, equitable and safe from the effects of the climate crisis. https://350.org/
The Sunrise Movement is a youth movement to stop climate change and create millions of good jobs in the process. https://www.sunrisemovement.org/about/