Young people in Oberlin demand action, join international climate strike

OBERLIN — As Oberlin College students got ready to rally in Tappan Square, about 30 students at Oberlin High School left their classes to join. As they made their way to the Climate Strike, seniors Sacha Brewer and Daria Martz led the students in a chant, letting any neighbors watching know why they were walking out. "Climate change is not a lie," Brewer said. "Do not let our planet die," the students responded. Those high school students were part of nearly 1,000 people in Tappan Square for the Oberlin Climate Strike. The strike, organized by student-group Sunrise Oberlin, was part of an international movement of young people organizing to push for action on climate issues. Similar events were staged around the world. Related: Young protesters around globe demand climate change action The local event featured a rally with speakers from both college and high school students, as well as representatives from community organizations. The common message from all was the demand for action from government at all levels. "We've been demanding action from our governments for years,'' said Sunrise Oberlin member Faith Ward. "But it seems like they don't care." Ward grew up in South Florida, where she said her family's home is being endangered by rising sea levels. She said the fight against climate change can't be won by just individuals, saying it will take large companies and governments taking action. "For too long, they've put profit over people, and numbered our days for us," she said Brewer said it is the young people's obligation to stand for action on climate change. She said students walking out of high school today was a testament to that. "You (the students) are setting an example of empowering younger generations to use your voice," Brewer said. "Young people are not OK with this issue being pushed away." Martz said the rally was setting an example, showing elected officials that they are demanding action. "I'm really glad that this is something we're doing together," Martz said. We are choosing to do what so many politicians won't." One of the demands at the rally was passing the Green New Deal, both at the national and local levels. Sunrise Oberlin member Anna Silverman said the deal may be ambitious, transitioning the country to green renewable energy by 2030, but needed to affect climate change. "For a problem this large, we need to use solutions just as big," she said. Oberlin Councilwoman Kristin Peterson, who attended the rally, said she was happy to see the energy and commitment from the students. Peterson pointed to some of the recent actions Oberlin City Council has taken, an example being the Climate Action Plan it passed over the summer. She also didn't come empty handed, bringing voter registration forms along with her. She said to push for change, students being registered to vote "is absolutely critical." At 65, climate activist David Ashenhurst was the oldest speaker at the rally. He said as a member of the baby-boomer generation, he felt conflicted speaking on stage. "Permit me to apologize for what we're leaving you," he said to the young crowd. Ashenhurst said the environment belongs to all generations, but he said he won't be here to see the aftermath of climate change's damage. He said part of the students' action has to be voting. "I applaud their hope, but I think there's a lot in the system that (fights) against it," he said. "I hope they're successful, I really do." Many of the speakers spoke about climate hope and how there isn't a lot of time left. Sunrise member Mitch Mitchell-Israel said it's easy to lose hope when each summer sets a new heat record and when the Amazon RainForest is burning. "We are running out of resources," he said. "We are running out of options and out of time." He said fixing climate change "some day" isn't an option anymore. He said while just rallying won't find the solution, neither will "sitting behind a desk" and waiting for one. "This strike doesn't mark a solution, but God dammit it marks the start," he said. Sunrise Press Lead Pearse Anderson said it was also great to have older activists at the rally. They can help the younger generation learn, he said. He said he was surprised to see children as young as 10 come to the event. He said he didn't want to make them afraid of what climate change can do, but he was glad they were involved. "You (the children) have the most moral authority to act," he said. "It's your world." Contact Sean McDonnell at (440) 329-7148 or smcdonnell@chroniclet.com