The three major post-secondary institutions in Victoria have shown similar degrees of support for students and staff who wish to participate in Friday’s nation-wide climate strike events.
While millions of people around the world took to the streets to kick off Global Climate Strike week on September 20th, the largest national climate mobilization in Canada is slated to happen this coming Friday.
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A statement from Camosun College acknowledged the existence of the Victoria iteration of this rally at the Parliament Buildings, and stated that students who plan to attend should let their instructors know ahead of time as the institution will remain open on September 27th.
University of Victoria President Jamie Cassels took a slightly more enthusiastic tone in expressing support for the movement, encouraging faculty and instructors to be understanding and discuss academic concessions for students who wish to participate in the climate strike.
Again, students are expected to let their instructors know if they plan to attend the rally, and UVic staff must speak to their supervisors before taking the afternoon off as well.
See also: Victoria takes U.N. pledge to plant 5,000 trees by the end of 2020
Nearly 700 UVic students have expressed interest in a ‘Campus Walk Out‘ event on Friday at 11 a.m. during which they plan to leave school and join young climate strikers at the Legislature to “demand an end to the age of fossil fuels”.
Finally, President Philip Steenkamp of Royal Roads University describes the student-led climate strike movement as “inspiring” and has asked academic teams to shift all exams or significant in-class activities scheduled for September 27th in order to allow students and staff to participate.
“I’m proud of our community’s commitment to addressing difficult challenges,” he adds to the statement.
Global movement
Victoria is not alone in their efforts to accommodate events on the last day of Global Climate Strike week. Thousands of people across the country are expected to march in demand for climate action on September 27th.
In Victoria, the rally will take place between 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. at the Legislature Buildings and feature music, speeches, and mural painting.
The movement, spearheaded by teenage Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, invites everyone to join the protests which so far have seen millions of people worldwide leaving work and school in a mass exodus of support for the cause.
Among other things, youth strikers are demanding that governments immediately legislate net greenhouse gas emission reductions of 75% over 2005 levels by 2030, in addition to committing to UNDRIP (United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples) in full.
The week-long climate strike protests are timed to coincide with a UN General Assembly meeting in which countries vow to increase their efforts to reduce greenhouse gases in ratification of the 2015 Paris Agreement.
Global Climate Strike: March and Street Party
- When: Friday, September 27th, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
- Where: Parliament Buildings, 501 Belleville Street
