It is necessary for people to come together to tell the government to stop subsidizing the pollution of BIPOC communities, end fossil fuel use and protect the planet’s ecosystems.
Sometimes it may not feel as though people have the power to create impactful change, but the recent climate march is an example of a moment where people were advocating for their futures. Marching is more than just fighting for the right to live on a healthier planet; it’s about coming together with others who care just as much as you do.
Thousands of people protested in Midtown, Manhattan demanding the end to fossil fuels on Sept. 17. Handmade cardboard signs accompanied the masses and collective cheering filled the air as people stood united in urging President Joe Biden to stop supporting fossil-fuels-related projects.
This climate march was aimed at encouraging Biden to represent the environment’s interest rather than that of corporations at the upcoming ‘Climate Ambitions Summit’ hosted by the U.N. on Sept. 20. At this event, Biden had the power to push the United States toward a better future and it is imperative for him to listen to the people’s wishes and stop the usage of fossil fuels.
As everyone goes back to their daily lives, they should all remember this special experience of advocating alongside people from all over the U.S. where the community held the government accountable for the huge environmental destruction that fossil fuels have led to.
It’s important to remember that climate change is a topic that affects all aspects of society. All 8 billion people worldwide are feeling the effects, whether it is the toxic chemicals or the influx in natural disasters overtaking family homes.
Discussions around fossil fuels often bring wars and disaster, but the United States is still the second country to consume the most fossil fuels such as oil and gas.
However, renewable energy makes up a measly 13.1% of all energy consumption in the United States even though it has the potential to lessen the impacts of global warming.
Greenhouse gas, which stems from the burning of fossil fuels emitting into the atmosphere, is what causes global natural disasters, wars and ecological destruction. The perpetrators are the same people profiting off fossil fuel use as they leave the planet in ruins.
Climate change is relevant to every community, especially BIPOC people. Indigenous people who had their land stolen, water polluted and pipeline after pipeline built, participated in the climate march.
The upcoming ‘Climate Ambitions Summit’ needs to lead the world in change rather than subsidizing factories-powered by fossil fuels, especially those built in Black and brown communities due to decades-long debates about the lack of access to clean air, water or quality food.
The climate march may have left people questioning every purchase they made and whether they should convert to veganism. While consumerism on a larger scale is an issue that leads to environmental destruction, shifting the blame to the individual people feeling the effects does nothing but distract.
Companies across the United States make bold claims of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2030 but never lead with their plan of action for achieving these goals. These companies need to be held accountable for the consequences of their failures whether it’s by the government or the people.
Officials should introduce more carbon taxes and legislation for a company’s overproduction.
The government’s priority should be to protect ecosystems instead of destroying them. For example, an ecosystem in Florida containing multiple endangered species was almost destroyed for a water park. The state of Florida and members outside the community pushed against the decision, but these are discussions that shouldn’t be had.
Infrastructure in the United States. is failing because corporations continue to build on land that wasn’t meant for skyscrapers or water parks.
As people ponder on what they want their future to look like on this beautiful planet, they should reference this recent climate march because it demonstrated the power of collective action.
Not everyone may have been there, but those who marched strided with the power of millions.
