In 2015 the term Extinction Rebellion did not exist, nor had anyone heard of a Swedish girl named Greta Thunberg. But this year there will be a global youth Climate Strike from September 20-27, ignited by Thunberg.
“You say you love your children above all else, and yet you are stealing their future in front of their very eyes,” says the now-16-year-old Thunberg to world leaders and all adults who will listen. “I don’t want your hope. I want you to panic…and act as if the house was on fire!”
Meanwhile, Canada’s Changing Climate Report, published by the Federal government in April of this year, states: “Both past and future warming in Canada is, on average, about double the magnitude of global warming. Northern Canada has warmed and will continue to warm at even more than double the global rate.”
Where do local candidates in the Oct. 21 Federal Election stand on the climate crisis, UN Sustainability goals and the human right to a healthy environment? Who are these people who are bravely stepping into the political arena at an uneasy time in the history of this country?
Sustainable Cobourg, Blue Dot Northumberland and the Council of Canadians are hosting an All-Candidates Forum on Wednesday, Oct. 9 at the Cobourg Community Centre, 750 D’Arcy St., 6:30-9:00pm. Come and hear what Liberal MP Kim Rudd, Green candidate Jeff Wheeldon, Conservative candidate Philip Lawrence and People’s Party candidate Frank Vaughan have to say about these critical issues. (Note: The NDP will announce its candidate on Sept. 20). It will be a civil forum, not a debate, an opportunity to gather information as you think about whom you would like to govern this country for the next four years. Bring your questions!