'Climate change has got to go': Londoners join in global climate strike - Action News
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'Climate change has got to go': Londoners join in global climate strike

Thousands of Londoners marched through downtown to demand climate action on Friday. Demonstrators taking part in the Global Climate Strike are asking the government to make 'real change' in their environmental policies.

"It's high time that we do this," say protesters in downtown London.

16 year-old Genevieve Langille was one of the event's co-organizers. She led the way as strikers marched downtown. (Jordan Heuvelmans/CBC News)

"Climate change is not a lie, do not let our planet die."

That was the chant shouted bydemonstrators Friday afternoon, as more than a thousandpeople demanded government action in response to global climate change.

More than 1500 people met at City Hall in downtown London to participate in climate strikes happening around the world. Theymarched down Richmond Street, looping backto City Hall via WharncliffeRd.and Dundas St.

The Climate Strike is part of a global strike to demand climate action from governments around the world. The youth-led movement had over 170 countries participate on Friday. (Jordan Heuvelmans/CBC News)
Participants marched down Richmond to Oxford, before turning down Wharncliffe. They came back to Richmond via Dundas Street and ended at city hall. (Jordan Heuvelmans/CBC News)

It's action that Carla Kuijpers feels is overdue.

"It's time that people take charge. We've been waiting for 30, 40 years and we should've taken charge. They did not, and it's high time that we do this," she said.

Carla Kuijpers holds up her sign. She says that by changing diets, it can make a huge environmental impact. (Jordan Heuvelmans/CBC News)

After the march, participantsgathered at City Hall, where event co-organizer Genevieve Langille addressed the crowd.

"We must reach consensus that our differences are not inherent but virtually transparent. We must corporate to save our fate by reducing greenhouse gases in the air, byshowing that we care," she said in her speech.

Streets were temporarily shut down as participants marched around the city. Police monitored the strike throughout its duration.
London's Climate Strike is part of a global strike spearheaded by 16 year-old climate activist Greta Thunberg. (Jordan Heuvelmans/CBC News)

The event turnoutshows that Londoners are aware of the crisis around them, said Langille.

"I think we've shown that Londoners are already demanding climate action and we will not vote for any governments...that will not deal with climate action, and will not put forward policies that deal with the climate crisis," she said.

Participants say they want the government to take accountability for the climate emergency and instill 'real change'. (Jordan Heuvelmans/CBC News)
Demonstrators at city hall in london
London was one of the first cities in Canada to declare a climate emergency back in April. Demonstrators want the city to continue leading the way by implementing real action for the climate crisis. (Jordan Heuvelmans/CBC News)