For Immediate Release, September 12, 2019
Contact: Julia Williams, (970) 948-1439, outreach@350colorado.org
Colorado Youth Release Demands In Advance of Climate Strike
Activists of All Ages, Faith Leaders, Businesses and More Join Youth-Led Climate Strikes in Intergenerational Demand for Climate Action
DENVER – Colorado youth issued their demands to Colorado leaders in advance of the Climate Strike scheduled for Friday, September 20. They include:
- Passing a Green New Deal that halts new fossil fuel permitting and requires a transition to 100 percent renewable energy by 2030;
- Adhering to environmental justice principles to ensure that that transition is equitable for fossil fuel workers and pollution-impacted communities;
- Honoring treaties protecting Indigenous land, water, and sovereignty from the impacts of fossil fuel industrialization; and
- Protecting and restoring biodiversity through sustainable agriculture and protection of half the world’s land and oceans–including habitat and wildlife corridors in Colorado.
View the complete list of the climate demands here.
The strikes are set to take place in over a dozen cities and towns across Colorado, including a mass strike in Denver. The strikes kick off a week of events (Sept. 21-29) as part of the Global Climate Strike Week of Action.
During the week of action, those on the frontlines of protecting communities from toxic coal, oil, and gas, will come together to halt projects, strengthening multi-generational, multiracial, movements fighting for justice to stop the bad and build the new. Demonstrating that the fight for climate action is beyond one moment, hundreds will join teach-ins, rallies, and nonviolent direct action. Actions will take place every day during the week of action, varying from protests against fracking to a social justice art installation on the 16th Street Mall. People will make a stand to escalate the pressure on fossil fuel companies like Suncor to be accountable for the decades of harm they have caused Colorado communities.
Strikers are demanding that governments step up to take urgent action to prevent catastrophic climate breakdown by phasing out fossil fuels, accelerating a just and urgent transition to a 100% renewable energy powered world with climate justice and equity at its core, and holding fossil fuel billionaires most responsible accountable for their destruction.
The strike demands comes as climate scientists warn of just 11 years to implement sweeping changes to prevent climate collapse that would cause massive social upheaval and spell disaster for Colorado’s communities, forests, rivers, endangered species, and outdoor recreation industry.
The climate strikes movement inspired by teenager Greta Thunberg has spread rapidly across the world in the last 12 months. The Global Climate Strike is on track to be the largest mobilization for climate in the world with strikes set to take place in over 117 countries.
Learn more and sign up to join an event at https://climatestrikeactionweek.co/events/
Quote deck:
“I strike today to give back for the ones who walked before us, and for those who will walk after me. If it wasn’t for my ancestors fighting for me to be here today, I wouldn’t be able to fight for those who will walk after me.” – Micaela Iron Shell-Dominguez (IIYC, Womxn of Color in Solidarity)
“As a young person who will soon have to make decisions about my future, it’s terrifying to realize that any plans or ideas I have for that future will not mean anything if there is not a planet we are able to live on,” Megan Neufeld, Junior at Silver Creek High School.
“Colorado communities should not be an energy sacrifice zone. Our youth are demanding a future that protects their rights to clean air, water, and land. The truth is simple, Colorado cannot be committed to climate action while also profiting off fossil fuel development and extraction,” Julia Williams, 350 Colorado.
“The time for complacency has long gone, and young people will not be ignored. We will hold our government accountable to fight for a just and equitable future for everyone. We are the power, and we aren’t going to stop speaking out until the people are put first and the fossil fuel industry is put to rest.” Michele Weindling, Age 24, Boulder/Denver Sunrise Movement
“In Commerce City, the air we breathe contributes to learning disabilities, Cancer, Asthma, Migraines and so much more. Therefore, money is worthless if it’s destroying life. They owe us, they owe our community more than just a Boys & Girls club or a paycheck to make me compliant,” Lucy Molina, mother from Commerce City.
The Colorado Climate Strike Week of Action is supported by:
Sept 20th Climate Strike:
SEIU – 105
Sept 20 Strike & Week of Escalated Actions
11th Hour Calling
350 Colorado
500 Women Scientists
Aspen Snowmass
Be the Change USA
Boulder CAN
Boulder.Earth
Boundless in Motion and Boulder Ecodharma Sangha
Catholic Network US
Center for Biological Diversity
Clean Energy Action
Climate Courage, LLC
Climate Reality Project
Colorado Coalition for a Livable Climate
Colorado Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival
Colorado Renewable Energy Society
Colorado Rising
Denver Metro Sierra Club
Earth Focus Group
Earth Guardians – Boulder & CO Climate Strikes
Eco-Justice Ministries
Environment Colorado
Erie Protectors
Extinction Rebellion Denver
Extinction Rebellion Fort Collins
Food & Water Watch
Fort Collins Sustainability Group
Global Greengrants Fund Inc
Greenfaith
Greenpeace
Indivisible Denver
International Indigenous Youth Council – Denver
Keep Colorado Green
Lookout Alliance
Mothers Out Front- Colorado
North American Climate, Conservation and Environment (NACCE)
Patagonia – Denver & Boulder Stores
Pikes Peak Justice and Peace Commission
Protect Our Winters
Renewables Now Loveland
Rocky Mountain Peace & Justice Center
Sunrise – Boulder/Denver
Sunrise – Colorado Springs
The Climate Mobilization
The Wilderness Society
Wall of Women Colorado
What the Frack? Arapahoe
Wild Earth Guardians
Wind & Solar Denver
Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom Greeley Chapter
###