Students hold signs during a climate change rally at the Alaska State Capitol, Friday, May 3, 2019. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)

Students hold signs during a climate change rally at the Alaska State Capitol, Friday, May 3, 2019. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)

Students strike against climate change

About a hundred head to rally at Alaska State Capitol

Juneau high school students hope policy changes faster than the climate does.

About 100 students — many of them excused from class — walked out of Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Friday morning and made their way to the Alaska State Capitol to champion the cause of prioritizing a fight against climate change.

“We’re here to raise awareness about the dire condition of our environment and to put pressure on leaders everywhere, including in this building behind us,” said Katie McKenna, event co-organizer and a JDHS junior.

Students march from Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé to a climate change rally at the Alaska State Capitol, Friday, May 3, 2019. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)

Students march from Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé to a climate change rally at the Alaska State Capitol, Friday, May 3, 2019. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)

The walkout was part of a global wave of Youth Climate Strikes inspired by Greta Thunberg, a Swedish climate activist and teen who has been on a school strike every Friday for the past 37 weeks.

[High school students say they’ve seen enough shootings]

“Today, we join Greta and students from every corner of the globe to let the world know that we are fed up of carrying the burden that generations before us have created,” McKenna said.

Griffin Plush, a senior at University of Alaska Southeast, and Linnea Lentfer, a JDHS sophomore, also spoke during a short rally on the capitol’s steps.

“Here in Alaska we know climate change is not some abstract concept,” Plush said.

He, McKenna and Lentfer said the effects of climate change are particularly evident in Southeast Alaska and cited receding glaciers and ocean acidification as examples.

[Scientists say Southeast Alaska is vulterable to ocean acidification]

Lentfer said it was important for these public conversations to be taking place, and strongly advocated for moving the state economy away from dependence on fossil fuels.

Linnea Lentfer, a JDHS sophomore, speaks about the importance of prioritizing climate change and the damage a dependency on fossil fuels has on the environment during a climate change rally at the Alaska State Capitol, Friday, May 3, 2019. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)

Linnea Lentfer, a JDHS sophomore, speaks about the importance of prioritizing climate change and the damage a dependency on fossil fuels has on the environment during a climate change rally at the Alaska State Capitol, Friday, May 3, 2019. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)

The climate activists also said it was entirely appropriate for young people to lead climate change discussions and wade into politics despite many being younger than voting age. They encouraged interested and engaged teens to become involved with Alaska Youth for Environmental Action.

McKenna said it is young people who are willing to reach out and have an openness to new ideas, and her fellow young activists said it is the young who will have to live in the world shaped by current policy.

“Youth are exactly who should care about politics,” Lentfer said.


• Contact arts and culture reporter Ben Hohenstatt at (907)523-2243 or bhohenstatt@juneauempire.com. Follow him on Twitter at @BenHohenstatt.


More in News

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Aurora forecast through the week of Nov. 10

These forecasts are courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute… Continue reading

Letters of support are posted to the window of the Kachemak Bay Family Planning Clinic on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, following a shooting incident on Monday, Nov. 11 at 5:45 a.m. in Homer. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Man arrested for three shooting incidents at reproductive clinic, recovery organization in Homer

Kachemak Bay Family Planning Clinic was targeted twice Monday, suspect cites “religious beliefs.”

A sign welcomes visitors to Hoonah on Aug. 7, 2021 just outside the Icy Strait cruise ship port. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
State commission approves new Xunaa Borough government in northern Southeast Alaska

Area would include Hoonah and much of Glacier Bay National Park, exclude three nearby small towns.

Juneau Assembly Member Ella Adkison (center) helps state Sen. Jesse Kiehl load donated groceries into a van on Saturday during a food drive at Super Bear IGA Supermarket hosted by the Juneau Central Labor Council. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Nonprofits say need is high as collections for annual Thanksgiving events approach

Food bank, other agencies say number of people seeking help is rising due to cost, other factors.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Saturday, Nov. 10, 2024

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy poses with then-President Donald Trump during a refueling stop by Air Force One at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in February of 2019. (Official White House photo)
Update: Dunleavy and Dahlstrom plan, cancel live Tuesday night announcement as Trump post for governor rumored

Dunleavy being considered for Interior Secretary, Lt. Gov. Dahlstrom would take over state’s top job.

Eaglecrest Ski Area Board President Mike Satre (right) points Megan Behnke toward a checkout person during the annual Juneau Ski Sale at Centennial Hall on Saturday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Anticipation and anxieties accumulating with Eaglecrest’s scheduled opening less than a month away

Big turnout at annual ski sale despite loss of a main lift at resort; more critical crowd at public forum.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Friday, Nov. 8, 2024

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

Most Read