On Oct. 19, the San Mateo Citizens’ Climate Lobby hosted its annual Youth Climate Rally. They marched through Central Park and downtown San Mateo, advocating for reducing carbon emissions and preventing climate change. The theme, “Make it Real,” emphasized that climate change will affect us in the near future.
About 50 to 70 people attended the rally, with an assortment of teenagers, adults and families. They passed through San Mateo with several chants such as, “Climate change is not a lie, do not let our planet die.” Many people joined the rally, picking up the chant.
As the rally marched through San Mateo, many people honked their horns in time with the chant and gave encouragement. Afterward, participants returned to Central Park for presentations by the youth co-chairs, members of the Citizens Climate Lobby, County Supervisor Noelia Corzo and many other passionate climate change advocates.
“All of you are inspiring to me: the fact that you care about our climate, about our Earth, the fact that you make room for these conversations, the fact that you are committed to educating yourself,” Corzo said during her speech. “I really believe in respecting our Earth, and I think the way that we see climate change impacting our world is evidence that we haven’t been doing [enough] … We have to act now.”
Organizers of the event hope to continue to encourage discussions about climate change.
“Our hope for Make It Real is that we’re not just spreading awareness, but spreading new or better emotions surrounding the climate conversation,” said co-chair Kayla Ling.
Junior Brody Freideberg, member of the Citizens’ Climate Lobby, participated in the Youth Climate Rally and helped lead the march and chants.
“I decided to participate in the rally because I’m passionate about enacting new climate policy,” Freideberg said. “[By] getting a community rallied together, we can show our power as one united community for climate reform to the politicians in attendance.”
There are more people in our Aragon community who are strong climate change advocates. Greg Moretti teaches Advanced Placement Environmental Science, which has an entire unit covering climate change and climate science.
“I think one of the things that students struggle with right now is what they can do about climate change. It seems like such a big issue, and it’s overwhelming,” Moretti said.
Climate Change Lobby member Elaine Selinger, who helped plan the rally, believes students hold much power in advocating for climate change.
“[You can] go to town halls to talk with legislators … [and] speak at city council meetings in support of climate [bills],” Selinger said. “20% of childhood asthma is caused by gas appliances in your home — you can talk to your parents and get rid of gas appliances.”
Senator Josh Becker was at the rally, where he bore a sign during the march and gave a speech. He echoed Selinger’s belief in the youth to make a difference.
“Start with your own school: sustainability [with] school recycling [and phasing] out plastics,” Becker said. “[And] show up at the city council meetings [to] advocate for climate policies.”
A large part of the rally was to encourage passing bills and propositions regarding climate change. This includes the upcoming Proposition 4, which would authorize 10 billion dollars for use on climate projects. Almost 2 billion of that would be for drinking water improvements, prioritizing low-income communities.
The next rally will be held in 2025, and will also be led by both youth and adult members of the Citizens’ Climate Lobby.
