The city has implemented it’s first climate action plan, which will aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the board, and see the city become carbon neutral by 2040.
But students at Saint John High are worried that may not be soon enough.
“It’s a concern that it’s too little, too late,” said Bradley Comeau, a student, and member of the school’s climate action society.
New data from the UN says the planet only has 12 years left until the damages of climate changes become irreversible.
Jessica LeBlanc at Saint John High, says youth are feeling the pressure.
“I think it could be probably sped up a little bit, especially with the kids and stuff, they have a future here too,” she said.
The group is worried that not enough is being done in order to make a difference.
Zoe Furlotte says climate change will have a big impact on their future.
“It’s not something that we created, we’re just inheriting these problems, and we’re now just trying to fix them.”
High school students gather in front of Saint John City Hall on May 2, 2019, for a climate strike. (Brad Perry/CHSJ News)
She says change is easy, and can start at home.
“Not using single use plastics straws or plastic bags, get more sustainable energy sources. There’s a lot of things you can do in your own household to help combat climate change,” she said.
Comeau thinks too much focus in on the individual, when in fact larger corporations need to be forced to change.
“It’s not on us. Such a big part of the pollution is being caused directly by the big corporations. We can only do so much before we can’t do anymore, but they’re not going to change unless they’re forced to,” he said.
The teens plan on meeting with Mayor Don Darling to voice their concerns over the plan, and address speeding up the timeline.
They will also be holding another climate action rally on May 24th outside City Hall.
