September 29, 2019 – Jimena CAS Journal Entry

Climate Strike 

Greta Thunberg is an inspiration to many young people all over the world, including myself. Greta Thunberg is a 16-year-old environmental activist who every Friday doesn’t go to school in order to protest over the lack of attention politicians and adults have given the climate crisis issue. This Friday, September 27th, there was a global climate change strike with approximately 170,000 protesters in New Zealand and around 4 million in Montreal, though numbers vary.

My class decided to take part in it because we all want a future, we want to keep breathing fresh air and we don’t want ecosystems to die, unlike greedy politicians we don’t want the Earth to die. Therefore, at 10:45 am on Friday we embarked on a mission to save the environment, raise awareness, and most important make our voices be heard.

Along with the 10th graders we made a series of signs protesting against climate change. All of this was planned in less than 2 hours Thursday night, where our classmates were so moved by the idea that they sent emails, asked permission, and invited others to join in. I have already went to another climate strike in Genova, Italy and knowing that I was going to do it again here in my hometown made me feel super ecstatic.

While being there and protesting in front of Agua y Sal, which we walked to and fro from school, and realizing I was making a change in this world even if it was small made me feel so proud of myself and my classmates for taking the initiative to do these type of things, where our voices definitely count. 

Learning Outcomes:

• Demonstrate how to initiate and plan a CAS experience: All of the class did this in less than 2 hours the night before, which can serve as a tool to prepare us for our CAS projects. 
• Demonstrate engagement with issues of global importance: Climate change is something that will affect the youth’s future if we don’t take action now. 

IB Learner Profiles: 

• Principled: We acted with integrity and honesty because we all stood up for something which we believe in. 
• Caring: We showed compassion towards Earth because it’s where we live and it’s important to take care of it with our lives.