A Look Into Other Climate Action Orgs: Earth Uprising

by Samara Haynes: Earth Uprising City Coordinator Montclair, New Jersey

Climate change is one of the most prominent threats to human life today. Taking action is not a question of if, as some politicians and leaders might have a person believe, but when. If immediate changes are not made, everyday life could look drastically different. The effects of climate change are already being seen today, with increased flooding, hotter temperatures, loss of wildlife, and so much more. The frontlines communities that face the worst effects of climate change are engaged in a struggle for survival. This is all because of human activity that includes fossil fuel emissions, deforestation, and pollution. Climate justice has intense parallels to racial justice and economic equality. Many activists and organizations have demanded change from elected officials around the globe, but not much progress has been made. There are groups of people who deny that climate change exists, even as it ravages populations in every country. Without urgent change, this crisis will only persist.

When I was in fifth grade, I had a teacher tell me that climate change was “too controversial” to talk about in the classroom. I am now a sophomore in high school, and I still have not had a single lesson about the threat that climate change poses to future generations. This is part of the reason that I joined Earth Uprising. Through digital campaigns, global communication, and more, Earth Uprising has been fighting to promote climate education in schools and among youth around the world. As an organization that has members from many countries, Earth Uprising has been using its platform to highlight the voices of its activists and the issues that their countries face.

Generation Z has been the driving force in tackling climate change. The youth climate movement has been growing, with millions of people showing up for strikes. Recently, due to COVID-19, strikes have moved online, the most far-reaching having been on Earth Day. Many organizations have been involved in planning these strikes, and the focus of the movement has shifted from mobilization to legitimate demands. Global strikes and calls to action have led to real changes being made. However, these changes alone are not enough, and there is more work to be done. This starts with climate education being integrated into schools’ curriculums. It was only recently that New Jersey, my home state, became the first to add climate change to its education standards. By providing students and adults with the resources they need to understand the scope of this issue, opinions will be formulated based on real facts. The more that is taught about climate change, the more action will be taken.