With climate change being such a hot issue around the world, organized protests targeting the main contributors to the phenomenon are becoming more frequent. It has been said that global climate change is one of the biggest, if not the biggest, issue that plagues the globe today. That is why thousands of people in the Bay Area decided to head to San Francisco and rally together to protest the way that America is handling the issue of global climate change. The climate march took place on Saturday, Sept. 8 in metropolitan areas around the United States, and around the world. San Francisco, one of the front-running cities on progressive issues in the nation, had a massive turnout for the Global Climate March. People from all walks of life gathered together for a collective goal: to send a message to legislators that America needs to get big oil out of politics if the nation hopes to stand a chance against the repercussions of global climate change.
Upon arrival at Embarcadero Plaza, where the march began, there were people from several different ethnicities and backgrounds commingling and chattering while half-listening to the opening presenters and waiting for the march to begin. There were Buddhist monks standing alongside Indian Sikhs, waving flags next to two men holding hands, while wafting in the rich white sage smoke that Native Americans burned while wearing their traditional garb.
Many attendees carried handmade signs with powerful messages, some of which read, “Fossil fuels R 4 old farts,” “No fracking way,” “Don’t frack things up,” “Ego vs. Eco,” “Green jobs save the planet,” “Not tryna f*ck my mother,” “You can’t comb over climate change,” “Don’t be a fossil fool,” “We rise so oceans won’t,” “What if climate change is a hoax and we create a better world for nothing?,” and a nudist wrote “Trump” on his buttcheek. Even some dogs came out to show their support! Some humans made signs for their furry companions that read, “Climate change is ruff,” “It’s my planet too,” and “I am a cat – #AlternativeFacts.”
The event was extremely colorful and lively. There was a police presence, but it was rather clear that there would likely not be many, if any, opposing parties present to rile things up amongst protestors. The peaceful protest had an impactful turnout that will hopefully lead to changes in the political discourse regarding the national steps to be taken, in order to move away from the devastating effects of global climate change.
One of the best things we can do for the causes we care about is show up for them. There is power in numbers. If we show the world that we all care about this issue, it will be that much more difficult for legislators to continue to ignore the will of the masses. Showing up for our causes also means showing up for them on voting day. It means doing the research necessary to find out which candidates and proposed policies best align with our beliefs and values.
On Tuesday, Nov. 6, there will be a statewide general election, which will decide on new members of the state Congress, state Senate, state Assembly and various board members, among others. These elections could result in major impacts concerning the environment, so it is important that you contribute your vote. If you are not registered to vote, be sure to do so by Oct. 22, at least 15 days before the election. For more information on how to vote in Monterey County, please visit montereycountyelections.us.