The climate crisis is a monumental threat to human rights, like nothing humanity has ever experienced before.
Last year, millions of people marched in climate strikes organized by youth around the world, demanding urgent action to stop the climate crisis.
The next global climate strike will take place virtually on Friday, Sept 25th and we hope you will get involved!
Here are five ways to participate in the climate strikes:
1. Youth climate justice webinar – Join our climate justice webinar on Tuesday September 22nd. More information, bios of the amazing youth climate activists who are the panelists for the event, and the registration link are all here!
2. Video project – Whether you’re planting a garden, saving energy at home, avoiding plastic, creating a sharing economy, or making sustainable investments, each of us has the power to take action in the global effort to mitigate climate change. So, tell us, what are you doing right now for climate change? We invite you to share your story in a very brief video (selfie or safely physically distanced from your videographer) of what you’re doing right now for climate change. These videos will be woven together in a collage recording for the Climate Strike. See here for more information.
3. Let us quote you! – Send us a sentence about why you care about climate justice, and we will share as many as possible via social media. Or you can post it to your own social media channels using the hashtag #climatestrike and tagging @AmnestyNow on Twitter or @amnestycanada on Instagram.
4. Poster project – Post a picture of your favourite nature spot using the hashtag #climatestrike. And/or make a creative poster for the climate strike and share that as well. Remember to use the hashtag #climatestrike and tag Amnesty Canada so that we can repost it. You could also tag your local media, your MP and MPP to let them know that you are striking for the climate. See here for more information.
5. Support youth climate strikers – Visit https://fridaysforfuture.ca/ for a map of climate strike events being organized by youth across Canada.
Governments have understandably been focused on COVID-19 lately, but the pandemic has not washed the climate emergency away. This is a vitally important moment because countries are required to set their 2030 climate targets by the end of this year (and climate scientists have raised the alarm that the world must reduce global emissions by 45% by 2030 to avoid a climate catastrophe). This is the moment to shape the future we want! Governments must continue to make maximum efforts to tackle the climate crisis. Amnesty Canada will be launching a petition to the Canadian government in early September. For more information and updates, please visit www.amnesty.ca/climate
If you want to take further action to stop the climate crisis and really roll up your sleeves, we encourage you to join Amnesty Canada’s Climate Justice and Corporate Accountability Specialized Team. To join, contact Elena at edumitru@amnesty.ca.