Climate change week, Sept. 24 – 30, challenged people around the world to stand up and protest, and demand changes be made to reduce the impact society is having on the environment.
Around the world, students in particular were inspired by 16-year-old Greta Thunberg, a climate activist from Sweden who has captured the hearts and minds of millions. In Kincardine, two women who have been involved with conservation and environmental issues in this community, quickly put out the word that they were organizing an impromptu protest in Victoria Park on Sept. 26. Organizers Katie Wilken and Chrystel Murphy, with just a few days of planning, welcomed more than 100 people interested in sharing their concerns about climate change. The group made signs, listened to 13-year-old Eden Babbitt speak about her hope for a cleaner future, and then walked as a group down Queen Street to Lambton Street, before returning to the park.

“Our goal for the evening is to raise awareness in our local community about the effect of the climate crisis,” said Wilken. “They need to be proactive with their habits and purchases to create a more sustainable environment.”