Youth in Halifax participate in global rally for climate change
Youth across the world are sounding the alarm on climate change, adding their voices to a global call for action.
On Friday, millions of young people in many large cities came together in a student-led global strike on climate action.
"We're the generation that's going to be able to change this, and I think Barack Obama said something about that we are the first generation to find out the real effects of climate change, and we're the last generation to be able to do something about it," says Meghan Oliver, a university student.
Young people are worried about their future.
"We saw wildfires over the summer, we saw droughts, we saw floods. Climate change is here and we need leaders who actually step up unequivocally," says Gretchen Fitzgerald of Sierra Club Canada Foundation.
Environmental organizations say governments need to treat the climate crisis with the same seriousness as the COVID-19 pandemic.
"We all watch the vaccination rates in Nova Scotia very quickly. I want to hear the (greenhouse gas) rate reduction every single week from this government federally and provincially," says Fitzgerald.
Event organizers say hundreds of people attended a rally in Halifax on Friday. Large numbers were also present in cities around the world, like Rome and Berlin.
On Thursday, U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson told world leaders at the UN General Assembly in New York it’s time to grow up and take hold of climate change.
While it's a start, youth say the clock is ticking and governments need to seek solutions before natural disasters increase and the global temperature rises even higher.
Organizers say until they see changes from all three levels of government, they'll continue to hold events as they work to make a difference and create change.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Iran fires air defence batteries in provinces as sound of explosions heard near Isfahan
Iran fired air defence batteries early Friday morning after reports of explosions near the city of Isfahan, the state-run IRNA news agency reported.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.