Jennifer Livingston, Nederland. Colorful and poignant signs, banners and flags waved in front of the Peace Garden last Friday, September 20, 2019  at the entrance to Boulder Canyon as Nederland joined the Global Climate Strike ignited by Swedish activist Greta Thurnburg. Last year, Thurnburg, then 15 years old, began striking from school and holding signs in front of the Swedish Parliament every Friday to demonstrate the urgent need for climate action. She then addressed the 2018 United Nations Climate Change Conference with stern words admonishing the lack of meaningful government actions on the causes of climate change. Her words went viral and climate strikes have since flamed around the globe. 

The Global Climate Strike website states that 4 million people all over the world joined the youth-led call for climate action. Nederland responded in kind as gray eminences, parents, teachers, babes in arms and local NGO leaders assembled to plead with U.S. political leaders, and Colorado neighbors, to recognize the irrefutable science of global climate change, and take action.

Jill Dreves put up a Facebook page, spread the word, and made signs at Wild Bear. When asked what Nederland can do better, Dreves said, “The town is on the right track with its commitment to 100 percent renewable energy by 2025, but our house is on fire and there’s a lot more each of us can do right now.”

Ellen Moore, a founding member of the Mountain Forum for Peace (MFP), helped organize and held signs with board member Jessie Ansari, who brought a table and sign making materials. Ansari spoke about the MFP and its 35 years in Nederland supporting the community with arts and education programming and contributions to the Nederland Food Pantry, senior groups and environmental causes.  

Students at Nederland Elementary, Middle and High School were given excused absences in order to participate in the strike. Laurie Kintezel demonstrated with students from her diversity class and believed that roughly 15-20 high school students participated at some point throughout the morning. Many middle and elementary school students participated as well. 

Fifteen year old Charlie Rowlins said, “It’s sad what’s happening,” and was inspired by his mom to participate. When asked what actions he would like to see locally he responded that getting rid of plastic straws was “just a start” and he’d like to see Nederland stop using single-use plastics completely. This conviction was shared by many participating in the strike. Almost-8-year-old Skyler was there with her mom and friend, Nora. Skyler said, “It’s now or never, we have to help save the earth.”  

Sisters-in-law Anjaneya and Nicole Kennedy were there with two-year-old Grace and three-year-old Gavin. When asked why she took the time to be there, Anjaneya took a long look at little Grace and said, “The future is upon us now in terms of our actions and we all need to take big steps toward healing the earth and changing our current trajectory.” She also said she’d like to see more programming and education out of the Library and TEENS, Inc. around climate change and sustainability. “Oh, and if you’re going to eat beef, buy it from Magnolia Beef.” 

(Originally published in the September 26, 2019, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)