Winnipeggers call for change at climate march
Hundreds of people marched in Winnipeg Sunday afternoon to raise awareness about climate change and to call on governments to do more to invest in clean energy.
Marchers started at the St. Boniface Cathedral and made their way to Oodena Circle at The Forks.
"We are here in solidarity with all the people around the world in over a 150 countries," march organizer Janelle Delorme, regional animator with Development and Peace, told CBC News. "We wanted to be part of this global climate movement."
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The event took place a day ahead of an international climate summit in Paris.
"Our specific message to the government is to transition from our fossil fuel dependency to 100 per cent clean energy," Delorme said.
Delorme added that she was impressed with how many people took part in the rally.
"Considering that it's winter, considering that it's Grey Cup Sunday in Winnipeg, this is an absolutely amazing turn out," she said.
Paris summit
World leaders will meet Monday in Paris to discuss how to reduce green house gas emissions and global fossil fuel consumption.
Carin Crowe said she attended the march to help send a message to leaders in Paris.
"We all have to stand up for the climate. The planet is in bad shape," Crowe said. "For our future, for my grandchildren and everybody else's, we need to stand up and make some good choices."
Crowe added that while she understands change doesn't "happen overnight," she's drawn encouragement from Alberta Premier Rachel Notley's NDP government and its stance on the environment.
"If what Alberta has indicated they're going to do, the rest have to follow suit," she said. "Money talks big, but money is not going to buy our planet — it's not going to buy our earth or our water."
Danielle Sinclair brought her son to the march.
"I am here because I care about the environment and I want to teach my son the same thing," Sinclair said.
"It's his future that I have to worry about and it's my responsibility to teach him that we need to start taking care of the Earth and that there needs to be change. If I teach him from a young age, he'll grow up to know that and show others."
