Article content continued

“We want to emphasize collaboration between people with all different views, because climate change is not a threat that just involves people who vote for one specific party, it’s going to affect all of us,” said Anand.

Chambers said they protest so they have a voice since they are still too young to vote in the upcoming federal election. She added that being activists in their community has made a difference in teaching friends and family about climate change. They even helped organize a community cleanup day, picking up garbage with a large group in the northeast.

The 17-year-old Rundle College High School students have been communicating with other student groups around the world, sharing and receiving advice about the movement. Anand said it’s a good reminder that the young people concerned about climate change in Calgary aren’t alone.

“It gives you hope to know you aren’t just one person or 30 people who are frustrated and scared for the future. You can look around and see thousands of people all over the world who are also feeling the same way. It gives us hope that things will change,” said Anand.

University of Calgary environmental science student Rose Jackson has been to every Fridays for Future strike since March and has played a role in organizing the demonstration with May.

To get the group’s message across, Jackson has planned a die-in. On cue, the crowd will lay on the ground and steps in front of city hall simulating death, holding signs that speak their key arguments. The die-in will make a point about the climate crisis and desire for young people to grow up without the threat of climate change.