BY VICTORIA SKAPER
Grade 11 Leadership student

Monday, April 21
Parade starts 11:00 am at Commercial-Broadway Skytrain station
Festivities at Grandview Park 12:00-3:00 pm

Windermere Secondary’s Leadership program is throwing their fourth annual Earth Day Extravaganza. Earth Day is a youth-led event run by grade 8 to 12 Leadership students from Windermere Secondary. This event seeks to spread awareness about climate change, the impacts of pipelines and tankers in our own province and a wide variety of environmental problems youth will inherit, as well connecting youth from across the Lower Mainland.

A recent NASA study concluded “Industrial civilization heading for irreversible collapse” as climate change continues to increase temperatures 1.5 degrees from before the Industrial Revolution.  We may be passing the point of no return and youth need to take action for a brighter future. Earth Day is a great opportunity to stand up for what youth believe in and support our environment.

The first Earth Day Parade was back in April 2011, and it keeps getting better! The Leadership program is planning to host its best Earth Day yet! This event is supported by well-known organizations including Wilderness committee and Forest Ethics. The hype is rising and more people are taking notice of this incredible event.

World-renowned environmental scientist David Suzuki has taken notice and will be speaking at this year’s event! Along with other amazing speakers, there will be musicians, performers, fun workshops and plenty of NGO tents. Hundreds of fellow high school students, elementary school students and citizens will be attending this years event.

This is a family fun-filled event, so come out and support one of your community’s very own high schools! Bring your friends and family down to the fourth annual Earth Day Parade Extravaganza! Last year almost 2,000 people turned out; let’s raise the bar and bring even more out this year!

Don’t miss out on the great opportunity of hearing the one and only, David Suzuki, as well as coming out to support your community. The event will kick off with a parade at 11:00 am, starting at the Commercial-Broadway Skytrain station. Then the festivities will commence at  Grandview Park from 12:00 to 3:00 pm on Monday, April 21st!

You won’t want to miss out on this amazing opportunity! For more information, please visit earthdayparade.ca/ and click attending on the Facebook page event: Earth Day Parade and Celebration 2014

Like and follow the YOUTH FOR CLIMATE JUSTICE NOW page on Facebook. Follow on twitter and instagram for the latest scoops @Y4CJN