Have our media and politicians conveniently forgotten why many millions of people worldwide took to the streets demanding action last fall and winter?

Youth led – since unlike most adults, they understand climate science. They see clearly the trajectory humans are on. I grieve for young people. I cannot imagine the anxiety they are feeling. I find it very hard to understand how adults are so resistant to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. New technologies are being developed every day. We have everything we need to transition off fossil fuels and nuclear energy production – except the political will.

The climate crisis will not go away by wishful thinking, or by maintaining the status quo. We have an incredible opportunity to create a healthier energy paradigm and healthier society.

It is incredibly arrogant to think that we can survive if we destroy the systems that support life on this planet. Our federal and provincial governments’ decisions to continue with fossil fuels rather than begin a serious transition to a renewable energy economy are tragic and short-sighted.

Scientists have been warning for 5 decades that Earth is precipitating toward a climate crisis. Young Greta Thunberg woke us up.

Are we destined to reach the point – in less than a decade – of no return (when we cannot control runaway climate change – when earth’s systems spiral out of control, and the planet become unliveable)?

Kudos to First Nations who may achieve more than millions of Canadian on the streets.

Our only hope – since the government doesn’t listen to a million people on the streets of our municipalities – is disruption/revolution. Everything else has been tried. I applaud our brave First Nations who are standing up to federal and provincial authorities. Locally, in solidarity with western First Nations whose lands are being trampled on by fossil fuel giants, Tyendinaga Mohawks are braving brutal winter conditions. They are creating economic pain and disrupting peoples’ plans, but perhaps that is what it takes to get real action.

How else can we convince our governments to act decisively transitioning to Canada to a fossil-free future (not to be puppets of the fossil fuel industry) and to truly respect indigenous peoples? They were elected to ensure us a safe and healthy future.

What we are observing is political expediency at the expense of transitioning to an economy that will ensure the survival of all species.

Molly Lawson Mulloy

Belleville