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- Lillian Hill, a fourteen-year-old student in the eighth grade of Johnston, is an example of this.
I am a 14-year-old student in eighth grade. I have already held several climate strikes in Iowa State Capitol. I will be doing it again Monday, Feb. 21 to amplify the voices of Iowans calling on climate action.
The climate crisis is still as severe and widespread as ever.
In 2021 The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change stated: “Human-induced climate change is already affecting many weather and climate extremes in every region across the globe.”
Climate change is already causing more extreme heatwaves, heavy precipitation and droughts, as well as tropical storms. Scientists have linked human-caused climate changes to these extreme events, as well as to harmful health impacts that disproportionately adversely affect people of color or other marginalized communities.
This is terrifying and frustrating for a 14 year old. What will climate change look like in the next few decades?
In 2011, Iowa’s climate scientists had already said that climate change was causing increasing temperatures, changes in precipitation, flooding, and conditions favorable for “unwanted pests and pathogens.”
That was 10 years ago. Why haven’t our leaders done more?
More:Editorial: Iowa celebrates its 175th birthday today.
Iowa is a place where there is not enough climate news. The media tends to focus more on the damage that is being done than the cause (climate-related changes), or the solutions (using renewable energy and restoring the land).
Despite the lackluster leadership and poor news coverage, most Iowans are aware that climate change is happening and want to find solutions. Seventy percent support more government actionClimate change must be addressed
Seventy percent should be enough for Iowa’s leaders to take action. But it is only 70%. Every person is suffering from climate change.
For our future, please get involved. This is how you can get involved: On February 21st, at 2 p.m., I will organize another Iowa Climate Strike at State Capitol to demand that climate change be addressed immediately and seriously. You can park on Finkbine Drive. I will be waiting for you on the west steps. Later, we will enter Capitol through the west-side entrances. Please be prepared for a security check.
The climate strike will take place while legislators are in session. Please contact your legislators to schedule a meeting.
If climate striking is not your style, or if you can’t attend on Feb. 21, please find another way to take action. To combat climate change, speak up with politicians and the media. Join organizations. Sponsor events in your local community. Write to your representatives at all levels of government, including the state, local, and national.
I hope that you will consider joining the Iowa Climate Strike. It’s a great way to let our leaders and the media know that you care about climate change. Invite a friend to share the article with you and your community members.
I can’t wait to see you on Feb. 21 at 2 p.m.!
Lillian Hill, a fourteen-year-old student in Johnston’s 8th grade, is one of the victims. Future climate strikes are scheduled for March 28th at 11 AM and April 19th, at 2 PM. Email: [email protected].
