On November 29, 2015, people of all ages
marched along Spring Garden Road in support of the 2015 United Nations Climate
Change Conference in Paris. They gathered in Victoria Park by the statue of
Robert Burns to hear speeches by, among others, Tom Dock, professor of
atmospheric science, and Jade Tynes, head of Dalhousie University’s Energy
Action team.
“We have set eight global records for
warmth this year,” said Dock. “The seas are rising. These events are no
coincidence (…) Real change means real emissions targets. Real change means a
real price on carbon.”
The march was an occasion for several
different political conflicts to combine. “Climate change is an issue that
dangerously intersects with race and class,” said Tynes, who is involved in the
African-Nova Scotian community. “It amplifies all existing inequalities.
Climate justice is common justice.”
“Energy East Violates Indigenous Rights,”
read a sign. It refers to a pipeline project intended to carry oil from Alberta
to New Brunswick, crossing 180 First Nations territories along the way.
“Divest Dal,” read another sign, referring
to a group aimed at convincing Dalhousie’s Board of Governors to give up
endowment funds from Shell Oil and other carbon-producing companies. In
November 2014, the Board refused this request.
“Say no to Alberta tar sands,” sang the
crowd, to the tune of “We Shall Overcome”, and “This solar power of ours” to
the tune of “This Little Light of Mine”.
Phyllis Essex-Fraser, who has been
campaigning for the environment for 30 years, heard about the event on Facebook
and Twitter and took part with enthusiasm: “Even though we have a new federal
government now, we need to show them that the people want action, not just
words.”
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