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Traffic stopped in Jasper Friday as strikers took to the streets for climate change action.
The protest was part of a global movement led by 16-year-old Swedish activist Greta Thunberg to demand action be taken to address climate change due to global warming.
Jasper striker Nancy Addison said: “I am concerned about the future.
“Greta really got me fired up and the things she says are distressing - like 200 species a day disappearing.
“If anybody is going to do something, we need to.”
This branch of the demonstration was organised by Teisha Alexander, a Calgarian who recently moved to Jasper and wanted to make a difference.
“It’s very important because things are changing and happening very rapidly. The ice caps are melting, there are all these natural disasters - it’s happening,” said Alexander.
The protesters gathered outside Jasper Municipal Library at 12 p.m. with signs and speeches.
They marched downtown along Patricia Street, holding up traffic and drawing attention from the police.
Climate strikes took place worldwide on Friday – three days before the UN’s climate emergency summit - and will continue on September 27.
David Hatto, vice-chairman of the Jasper Environmental Association, said: “As a grandfather, I believe what we do is very important but you have to follow it up.
“We are all concerned. We have a week to get way more people concerned to make a real impact next week.”
The second Jasper protest takes place Friday (September 27), meeting at Jasper Municipal Library at 12 p.m.
Alexander said: “I hope that next week there will be more people, maybe some more speeches.
“Ultimately, we want change. On a municipal level, an international level, just get it everywhere.”
