Students walk out against climate change
More than 105 students walked out of class on Sept. 20 to raise awareness of climate change.
Green Club brought the global Youth Climate Strike to Carlsbad on Sept. 20. Students walked out of their first period classes at 9 a.m. and gathered in the quad until brunch ended at 9:30 a.m.
The global walkout was created by eight youth activist groups, including Youth Climate Strike and International Youth Council. Strikes were planned by the young generation in more than 150 countries, with more than 1,000 planned across the US.
“This is happening over so many different countries, but I really wanted to bring it to Carlsbad High School because this is our future, this is what matters to us,” Green Club President Jamie Morgan said. “The people running this country won’t be running it when it really matters, so we just have to get the word out about climate change and how it’s real. Spreading education [is] one of the biggest things that we can do at this age level, and activism really works. That’s why we’re here.”
As students spoke out against climate change, a petition was passed around to make Carlsbad 100 percent renewable by 2020. By the end of the walkout, Green Club gained 105 signatures that will be presented to City Council.
“I was actually really surprised,” senior Nisha Ahmed said. “I didn’t think this many people cared. I think this is such a big statement to our community and to the world. People always say it doesn’t matter, we’re just one school, but it’s a compilation of a bunch of schools. It’s really impactful.”
While the walkout was organized by Carlsbad’s younger generation, it gained support by adults in the community as well.
“I think it’s great that it’s their rally, and they get to have their voices heard,” Todd Muilenburg, who teaches AP environmental science and marine biology, said.
Students across grade levels were willing to participate in the walkout, whether they spoke at the event, made posters or simply showed up.
“I want a future,” sophomore Jules Tatum said. “I hope that we make the people who are currently in voting power elect people who are actually going to strike a change in the government and start actually fixing this.”
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