'We can't wait anymore': Halifax climate rally calls for immediate action

A climate action rally held Friday in Halifax — one of the thousands taking place around the world — called for immediate measures to combat severe weather changes affecting the earth and all its species.

More than 200 people of all ages gathered for the event in Grand Parade, kicking off a week of activities designed to draw attention to the issue.

Young people worldwide joined marches and climate strikes Friday. They were joined by labour and humanitarian groups and environmental organizations.

Willa Fisher, a Grade 12 student who lives in Halifax, summed up the anxiety felt by today's young people and their frustration at the lack of action on the part of adult leaders.

"I think that the youth are scared," she said. "The climate comes first and our futures come first."

Fear of economic change and political pushback are "little technicalities that don't matter. We just need to overcome them and we need to find a way no matter what. And we can't wait anymore," she said.

Among the events planned for Friday was a "die-in," part of national strategy to bring attention to the climate crisis message. Typically protesters lie down on the ground in a visible public space, disrupting the flow of pedestrians and daily business activity to draw attention to their cause.

Fisher said she and her friend, Julia Sampson, first got involved in the fight to stop the deterioration of the planet due to climate change about five or six months ago, posting a page on Instagram to inform others about the issue and to plan events.

"It's a national thing really," she said. "We're drawing a line because we want for everyone to care about climate change."

One of the rally's organizers, Tynette Deveaux, said she's pleased with the number of people who turned out.

"We're really pleased and there's so much more planned this week," she said following the rally.

"We'll  be holding the climate strike one week from today. I think the momentum is just going to continue to grow through the week. It's really special because it allows all to come together and see what each other is doing and to stand together. "

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