By Meg Deak
The Haldimand Press
SIMCOE—On Friday, March 25, 2022 Climate Action Haldimand Norfolk met at Toby Barrett’s office and marched to spread awareness about the importance of climate action.
The march was a humble turnout of dedicated individuals hoping to spread awareness. Former Green Party candidate Brooke Martin and Val Hickey, Chair of the Long Point Biosphere Region, both attended the march.
The group grew out of the idea of taking action to stop climate change locally, with the help of government officials.
SIMCOE—Brooke Martin holds up the megaphone, leading the group in a chant of “no more subsidies for oil and gas companies,” in protest outside Toby Barrett’s office.
“We protested before in Port Dover. We started coming out for Fridays for Future before the pandemic,” explained Cathy Salvatore, one of the groups organizers.
Fridays For Future is the youth led global climate-strike movement, started by Greta Thunberg in 2018. The protesters assert that not enough is being done to limit climate change.
Protestors started this march at MPP Toby Barrett’s office, walked to MP Leslyn Lewis’ office, and finished their march at Norfolk Municipal office. Chris Van Paassen, Norfolk Councillor, came out in a show of support at the end of the protest.
Protestors are hoping to put pressure on local government to take actions to limit climate change. “The government knows what they need to do, they just aren’t doing it,” Salvatore said.
Dave Johnston added, “It isn’t enough just to put in charging stations for cars. We have to plan ahead and see where the electricity will come from, and make sure it’s green.”
He continued, “I’m doing this for my grandkids.” This feeling was shared amongst many of the protestors.
For some protestors, showing up wasn’t easy: “I don’t normally do these kinds of things. I’m an introvert,” Karla Falk, a mother of two, explained, “but this is important.”
Her two daughters joined her at the protest and share the same passion for protecting the environment. “The planet is supporting us, it’s our home. We should support it,” said her daughter, Rory Tozer.
The group is hoping to become a non-profit. Those who would like to get involved can reach out to the Climate Action Haldimand Norfolk’s Facebook page, which should be up and running shortly.
