GNS Students Strike for Climate Justice

By Sonya Chwyl Grade 12 student Anastasia Castro stands in the middle of the packed dining hall at lunch, a bag of green felt circles in one hand identical to the one pinned to her uniform. She scans the crowd with determination, looking for students who will join her, handing out the green badges to anyone participating in the Global Strike for Climate Justice. This year’s Environment and Adventure Prefect, Anastasia has been involved with many GNS initiatives throughout the years, including initiatives to ban plastics, trophy hunting on grizzlies and shark finning in Canada. She’s no stranger to striving for change—and the pushback that it often entails. “Talking to politicians, at first it was kind of head-patting. Telling us, you know, ‘Good job, but…’ Now we’re actually getting meetings—people are interested in what we have to say, because they realize we want to have a say in our future. Because even though we can’t vote yet—Lisa, do you want a pin?” She pauses to distribute another green badge to a passing student. “… Even though we can’t vote yet, we are getting there soon, and we’ll be voting them out soon too if they don’t do something.” A day later, on September 27, Anastasia stands in front of a contingent of GNS Middle and Senior School students as they rally on the turf field, preparing to join the Climate Strike downtown. The atmosphere is energetic but serious, the weather unseasonably chilly. After an introduction from Anastasia, Grade 6 students Madeleine and Calla take the floor to address their peers. “We are here because our species is, in the words of [Climate Activist] Greta Thunberg, creating a ‘climate crisis,'” says Madeleine. “Animals are dying because of human actions,” adds Calla. “I know that animals suffering from our silly decisions is not fair, and knowing there’s a chance my kids, and even my grandkids will live through this is a scary thought.” The wind picks up, almost drowning out the voices of the sixth graders. In response the gathered students hush each other, listening intently. Callie and Madeleine thank the school for supporting their choice to take part in the climate change. Finally, they thank Greta Thunberg herself. “For her inspiring speeches that motivated us to come and speak today,” says Madeleine. Their audience applauds, and then they’re off to march in the streets of downtown Victoria. They bring their own signs, banding together to show their support for a cause that affects not just them, but all of humanity and life as we know it on planet earth. The Victoria event was just one of thousands across the globe. “It was really inspiring to see that that many people are ready to make change,” says Grade 8 student Isla Hunt, who took part on Friday. “If this strike happened again I would definitely do it.” For more information, Read Anastasia Castro’s letter to the GNS Community about the Climate Strike.