People’s Climate March

Take Responsibility

This is a message from Karen Dale, who is one of the ministers at the church where I attend worship:

 

I participated in the People’s Climate March last Sunday, along with Andrew LaCombe and Jim McKibbin from Beach UC, and about 3,000 other folk. The concern for the health of our earth home seemed to resonate with many different people. As we gathered in Nathan Philips Square I could see families with children who had green hearts painted on their faces. There were seasoned protesters who had probably marched for causes in the 60′s. Dotted around were those who looked slightly uncomfortable, not quite sure about joining in the chanting and clapping. It seems a wide cross section of people are taking action and calling for a reduction in our use of fossil fuels.

As we filed out onto University Ave and turned east on Dundas, I became aware of the reaction of the people around us. There were smiles of encouragement from pedestrians, even those in cars who were brought to a standstill by the march, were honking their horns in encouragement rather than frustration.

I never thought I would be part of a spiral dance led by First Nations drummers in the middle of the Dundas Square. Even if it was more of a shuffle than a dance, it was great to be there! As we continued to march down Yonge Street I saw a young man carrying a sign that said:

 There is no PLAN-et B!

The issue of climate change is one that is threatening the earth and needs to be taken seriously. It also needs to be approached from a sense of hope that we can make a difference. That spirit was alive and well in Toronto, in New York, and in other cities around the world. We as humans have so much to learn from the earth as this Ute prayer expresses:

Earth, teach me limitation – as the ant that crawls on the ground.

Earth, teach me acceptance – as the leaves that die each fall.

Earth, teach me renewal – as the seed that rises in the spring.

Earth teach me to forget myself – as melted snow forgets its life.

Earth, teach me to remember kindness – as dry fields weep with rain.

 Blessings, Karen

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