Local high school students produce climate mural at CDDHS

October 1, 2020 · 0 Comments

Written By PAULA BROWN

LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER

A Centre Dufferin District High School (CDDHS) student has taken the initiative locally in the climate crisis discussion, joining in the global climate strike by producing a chalk mural drawing.

“I wanted to raise up the voice of CDDHS students and let them join the global climate strike that was happening on Friday, all over the world,” said Annie Cameron.

Annie Cameron is a Grade 12 student at CDDHS and was the initiator behind the drawing of the mural. She along with three other students, created the mural as part of the Fridays for Future (FFF) movement, started by Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg in 2018. The mural was part of a global climate strike that took place on Sept. 25, with 3,374 strikes taking place in 134 countries.

“This was a way that we can show hope, show that we can help and communicate that there are people in Shelburne, students in Shelburne that believe that this is our future we’re fighting for – we need a system change, not climate change,” said Cameron.

The mural, which was drawn on the sidewalks outside of CDDHS, addressed the Fridays for Future mantra of system change not climate change.

“The Fridays for Future organization is asking large companies and governments to re-examine and follow through,” said Cameron. “They’re asking for a system change of large corporations all the way down to the single person to become more environmentally conscientious and do things that will stop the ever growing climate change crisis.”

MAPA, or Most Affected People and Areas was another aspect of the mural that Cameron wanted to highlight awareness to in the climate strike.

“These are the people that are already fighting for their future due to climate change,” said Cameron. “Natural disasters are happening in their area or somethings affecting them and they don’t have the voice.”

“Usually these MAPA or most affected people and areas are the ones that have produced or contributed the lead to climate change and they are being affected most.”

The next global strike of Friday for Future will happen on October 2, for more information go to www.fridaysforfuture.org.