On Sunday, September 21 over 400,000 people migrated to New York City for the People’s Climate March, making it the largest recorded demonstration calling for a response to climate change. I was among those groups traveling from Central Park West to 11th and 44th Street, and it was an awe-inspiring experience for a cause that many in positions of political power appear to overlook.
This month, across the globe, at 2,700 events in over 150 countries, individuals are mobilizing to demand action, not words, from those who have the power to make change. It is something we know to be within our reach: a world safe from the ravages of climate change where the economy works for the people as well as the planet; a world with clean water, healthy communities and an eco-friendly livelihood.
There are many aspects of living an eco-friendly lifestyle and reducing the effects of global warming that those in attendance wanted to bring awareness to. One of which I am particularly passionate about is the damage induced by hydro-fracking.
Fracking is the process of injecting liquid at high pressures into the Earth to force open existing fissures and to extract oil and gas. Marchers certainly had a lot to say about the subject, raising signs that read “Frack is Wack,” “No Frickin’ Frackin’,” and “Don’t Frack with my Future.”
Marching shoulder-to-shoulder down blocked streets of New York City was certainly a sight to see. One moment in particular was truly epic in demonstrating the passion those in attendance had: at 12:58 p.m., a mass alert was sent to the cell phones of marchers advising them to remain completely silent while holding each other’s hands in the air. The silence was bone chilling; imagine a completely quiet New York City. Then from the distance cheers rose and noise flooded the streets like a tidal wave.
It’s in moments like this that make you feel like a powerful voice in a movement you hold dear to your heart. With that, I encourage you to identify a social cause you are passionate about and rather than silently believe in it, make your voice heard and attend events of mass migration like the People’s Climate March. I promise it will be a fulfilling experience.