On Friday, April 5, approximately 40 members of the Canton and St. Lawrence communities brought their signs, voices and convictions to the intersection at Main Street and Park Street for the second monthly climate vigil. Those in attendance hoped to spread awareness and encourage action on the ever-looming threat of climate change. Though the weather was gloomy, the protestors knew their mission was important.
The vigil seeks to promote an end to C02 emissions from man-made sources; the number one cause of climate change. Though such a goal is lofty, members of the North Country community recognize its direness and are determined to stick it out.
Ryan Heuss ’21, who protested at the event, says “It’s not just important for us to do this for our kids or grandkids—climate action is important for us. This is the world we’re living in now and the one we’ll live in tomorrow, so action is more crucial than ever.”
The movement has been spearheaded by community members from all levels, but in particular individuals from the Little River School. Alex Caulk, the 17-year-old spokesperson for the event, is a high school and also a climate leader.
For Caulk, it is important to have regular rallies and action like this. “[Events like] this need to happen everywhere—I don’t think this is an issue where only New York City people can protest or Washington. This needs to be a movement across many small towns. This needs to be a movement across the country.”
Indeed, the vigil has seen significant growth since its inception. Originally growing out of an October rally in support of the 12 youths suing the American government over climate change inaction, climate demonstrations in the North Country have only picked up speed.
The first vigil, on March 1, drew a smaller crowd mostly of older citizens. At the second one, Caulk and organizers of the event met with members of the St. Lawrence community to raise awareness. “We really got the word out and a lot of younger people came,” notes Caulk. Many student groups, including Commons College, DivestSLU and the Environmental Action Organization co-sponsored the event.
Other communities in upstate New York have drawn attention to the vigil as well. According to Caulk, towns like Plattsburgh, Saranac Lake and Lake Placid have all been paying attention to the Vigil.
In addition, media outlets like North Country Now and the Watertown Daily Times have all covered the event, spreading the message to an even wider audience.
Though this is not the beginning of climate action in the North Country, it is far from the end. Until significant governmental action is taken on climate change, protests will continue to be held from 4 to 5 p.m. on the first Friday of every month. The next Climate Action Vigil will be on Friday, May 10.