Climate Strike

I traveled back from Paris on a Saturday, did a lot of nothing on Sunday, then spent Mon-Weds catching up on work generated by my Paris meetings. Friday I had a coffee with Jenny, my friend from the Green Party, then we went to the Climate Strike. The young people stirred to action by Greta Thunberg have been having Youth Strikes on Fridays--refiusing to go to school in protest over inaction on climate change. Today they invited adults to join. Extinction Rebellion organized a 'die in' at Cornmarket Square. I wasn't going to participate as my visa makes me nervous. However when I saw that we just sat down for a few minutes, I joined in. Seemed harmless enough.

This is the main drag in Belfast. One of the youth leaders said they expected 300 people and got more than 4,000. Are the political leaders listening? The largest party in Northern Ireland, the DUP, doesn't believe in climate change. It's 'going for growth' economic strategy is to double down on intensive agriculture--because the amount of cow/pig/chicken shit pouring into our waterways isn't enough.

My employer, the Principles for Responsible Investment, encouraged us to join the strike--on paid time. Climate is central to our work so it makes sense. Here are my London colleagues after their morning of sign-making, prior to going to the London march.

Notice the average age of 18. LOL. I like the sign: "What do we want? Carbon Tax. When do we want it? Now" A bit of policy never hurt any march.

I went home after the march to do a bit of work and walk Paddy, then back into town for Culture Night, an annual evening of music and entertainment all over the city. The first place I went was Seamen's Church--a place full of lighthouses and ship memorabilia. It is in what used to be Sailortown, before the surrounding area was torn down to build an overpass and a lot of car parks. There were a group of musicians performing to honour a songwriter who died in the past year. I didn't know the songwriters' work but I liked the idea of artists gathering to honour one of their own. Kind of like a Seamen's church dedicated to its own tribe. Here's one of many stained glass windows in the church that honour the courage of sailors.

Sept. 20