“What kind of ancestors are we willing to be?”- by Director of Peace House, Elizabeth Hallett
The Peace House Mission:
To promote nonviolent conflict resolution, socio-economic justice, protection of our natural resources and the inherent dignity of all people.
On August 28, 2019, sixteen-year old Swedish student Greta Thunberg and her devoted father arrived in the New York harbor, sailing past the Statue of Liberty, after having crossed the Atlantic Ocean in a one-of-a-kind solar powered sailboat. It took two weeks and was Greta’s way of refusing to burn up costly oil by flying to get here. She and her genius crew also proved that solar power can be a viable replacement for diesel fuel.
Greta has taken on the entire international corporate world, and more, challenging us all not to leave a global environmental mess for her generation. Watching the delighted, excited faces of the thousands of teens who greeted her and her crew in New York made me cry. What will they face in another five, ten or fifteen years?
While she and her father seemed a bit overwhelmed, with salt sprayed hair and straight off the boat, their enthusiastic reception by Greta’s peers included a sign: “You are our hero!” She is mine too. A possible modern-day Joan of Arc. No one else has delivered such keen analysis, with such clarity and justifiable impatience to world leaders at the United Nations, the Davos World Climate Summit.
Greta has hit on an effective form of nonviolent resistance. Her solitary, long-time Friday School Strikes from class, outside the Swedish Parliament, has ignited the imagination of hundreds of thousands, as she questions what the point of school is with the demise of the planet at the hands of less intelligent beings. She calls for the protection of nature, the home that has sustained us thus far. She calls for us to pull together despite our differences before it is too late.
Buddhist teacher Larry Ward recently said:
“The arctic isn’t supposed to melt! Nebraska is not supposed to be under water!
Children aren’t supposed to tell adults what to do…”
He asks: “What kind of ancestors are we willing to be?”
That the children are leaving school on Fridays to demonstrate for the Planet should tell us all that they have discovered a new form of nonviolent resistance; that being in resistance is the only possible way to save themselves for the years that will soon come, when we older ones are gone, leaving them with whatever legacy we can muster.
What will they say about us? That we took action? Or that we were too busy? Too uninformed? Too complacent?
It is a choice we are called to make. What kind of ancestors are we willing to be?
As part of our mission to encourage the protection of our natural resources and a culture of nonviolence, Peace House proudly supports the Global Climate Strike set for September 20, 2019.
Southern Oregon Youth and Adults to Join in Global Climate Strike on Friday, September 20
Worldwide September 20 Global Climate Strike will demand climate action now
On September 20th, millions of people will walk out of their classes, jobs, and homes as part of a Global Climate Strike. It’s destined to be the largest worldwide action ever, followed by activities throughout the week of September 20-27. Learn more at https://strikewithus.org/
Ashland-area residents can be a part of this landmark event.
Youth members of the Rogue Climate Action Team are planning a 10:30am walkout from Ashland Middle and High Schools, marching to Ashland Plaza for a Climate Action Rally. Join them at the Plaza at 11am to support their courage.
Immediately following the rally, the strike migrates to Butler Bandshell in Lithia Park to Unite for Climate Action-an all-ages community climate action picnic and performing arts program. Under the creative direction of Barret O’Brien, enjoy music, uplifting presentations, poetry, group art, spiritual centering for climate healing, and info on opportunities for personal and collective action. Food trucks available, or BYO picnic with your own plates, cups, and utensils. Our goal is zero-waste!
You Can Help! Calling all local climate change movers and shakers, faith and other community leaders, parents, science nerds, the social media savvy, and more: We need you! Volunteer, be a partner organization, host a table, or help us spread the word and build the momentum. For info, contact Lorrie Kaplan or Kathy Conway. Performers of all ilks wishing to be part of the event contact Barret O’Brien at artistscollective@live.com.
Southern Oregon Climate Strike Coalition partners to date include Southern Oregon Climate Action Now (SOCAN), Rogue Climate, Pachamama Alliance and The Geos Institute. Other partners welcome–come join us! More info at https://socan.eco/global-
Published on Thursday, August 29, 2019 by Common Dreams
Calling for End of “War Against Nature,” Greta Thunberg’s Arrival in US Brings Swell of Attention to Global Climate Strike
“Something that’s really common among young people is we just aren’t given that platform. Now, Greta and millions of other kids are showing that we don’t need it handed to us. We can fight for the platform.”
Children and adults wait for the arrival of teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg into New York City after crossing the Atlantic in a sailboat on on August 28, 2019 in New York City. (Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
After two weeks of sailing, 16-year-old Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg arrived in New York on Wednesday with an urgent call to action.
“The climate and ecological crisis is a global crisis, and the biggest crisis humanity has ever faced. And if we don’t manage to work together to cooperate… despite our differences, then we will fail. So we need to stand together,” Thunberg told a crowd of supporters who gathered to celebrate her arrival. “Let’s not wait any longer. Let’s do it now.”
Thunberg’s lonely protest outside the Swedish parliament building last August, and her persistent activism in the months since, sparked a wave of youth-led climate demonstrations across the world and inspired the global climate strikes set to kick off in over a 150 countries next month.
Organizers expect the strikes, scheduled to begin Sept. 20, to be the largest climate demonstration since the “Fridays for Future” movement launched-and maybe ever. “Sea levels are rising, and so are we!” activists chanted as the emissions-free boat that carried Thunberg across the Atlantic approached New York.
Thunberg’s journey by boat, which stemmed from her refusal to fly due to the carbon emissions spouted by planes, garnered significant coverage from America’s major television networks, bringing more attention to the forthcoming week of global climate action.
Upon reaching shore, Thunberg said it is “insane that a 16-year-old has to cross the Atlantic Ocean to make a stand.” But in doing so, the Swedish environmentalist galvanized young people who are eager to take to the streets and force political leaders to act on the existential threat posed by the climate crisis.
“Something that’s really common among young people is a lot of time we just aren’t given that platform,” Shiv, a college sophomore, told Earther. “Now, Greta and millions of other kids are showing that we don’t need it handed to us. We can fight for the platform that we deserve and that our voices need to be heard.”
“On the 20th, we have three main demands as part of our coalition, which is no more fossil fuels, a just transition for frontline communities and for everybody in general, as well as holding fossil fuel executives accountable,” said Shiv. “I think a really big contribution [Thunberg] had is really making young people realize that we do have power, that we have the ability to change the conversation.”
Not wasting time following her arrival in the United States, Thunberg said she is planning to take part in a climate strike outside of the United Nations headquarters in New York City on Friday.On Twitter, U.N. secretary-general António Guterres welcomed Thunberg to New York and applauded her commitment to confronting the planetary emergency. “The determination and perseverance shown during your journey should embolden all of us taking part in next month’s Climate Action Summit,” said Guterres, referring to the U.N. event in New York on Sept. 23, which will come as people across the world strike for a livable future and pressure world leaders to take action in line with the urgent recommendations of the scientific community.
“We must deliver on the demands of people around the world,” Guterres said, “and address the global climate crisis.”
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