The Global Foundation has added its voice to those of thousands of seniors involved in over 70 Seniors for Climate (SFC) events across Canada calling for more concerted action on climate change NOW.
On the October 1st International Day of Older Persons, the Global Foundation for Social Harmony and Sustainable Development (GF) hosted a special planting of tamarack trees at its Beaver County headquarters near Camrose and Tofield, Alberta, within the UN-designated Beaver Hills Biosphere (BHB).
Following a flag raising, speakers from GF, SFC and the Edmonton Chapter of the Congress of Union Retirees (CURC) provided brief introductions, while the SFC banner displayed its visible message: “Later is Too Late”
Participants wearing caps bearing the word “emissions” carried their trees along a wilderness trail to plant them amongst globally significant wetlands; highlighting the pressing need to cut CO2 emissions, everywhere.
Growing numbers of tamarack (and other species) are succumbing to insect proliferations because of climate change. Tamaracks are the only conifer to lose its needles in the Fall, and have played a unique geological role by absorbing CO2 in vast quantities.
GF President Winston Gereluk said, “Seniors vote, advocate, and care deeply. We call on our leaders to recognize the climate crisis as the defining issue of our time.
“We demand bold, decisive action now,”
CURC President Judy Lederer said seniors are increasingly impatient with the pace of decision-making by all levels of government on issues ranging from inadequate seniors care to climate change. Events on October 1st reflect our demands that governments step up with actions NOW.
SCF volunteers at the event claimed that seniors are demonstrating the power of collective action. They remarked how we face unprecedented levels of extreme heat, fires, floods, and other climate-driven disasters, all due to fossil fuel emissions.
To see events across the country: click here.
CURC-Alberta was responsible for convincing the Alberta government in 2018 to adopt October 1st as its ‘Day of Older Persons. ’ It has created a special Seniors’ Grove at GF property in the Beaverhills Biosphere, where tamaracks are being planted, and is involved with CURC-national in a program with seniors to plant trees, across Canada every Spring.