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100 (or so) Oklahoma students rally at Capitol for climate change reform…

12:10 PM EDT on March 18, 2019

Let's be frank – the world is catching fire due to the lasting effects of global warming. I could spend majority of my time attempting to debate the remaining many who still believe it doesn't exist, but much like your stance on the matter, I'm going to pretend you don't exist.

Last Friday, a hundred or so students showed up to the Oklahoma State Capitol as part of the global rally for climate change reform. The crowd here was dwarfed by much larger protests throughout the world, but considering Oklahoma is the the Global Warming Denial Capital of the World, it's a start.

Here are details via The Oklahoman:

Max Salcido stood about 50 yards away from the large oil derrick on the south plaza of the Oklahoma State Capitol on Friday afternoon to deliver a plea.

Part of an international movement of students, Salcido addressed the crowd demanding they speak up about the impacts of climate change.

“This is not a rally,” Salcido said to the more than 100 gathered. “This is a strike.”

Across the nation, thousands of students left their classrooms on Friday to call for swift action to prevent or mitigate the effects of human-caused global warming and climate change.

As someone who has routinely shit on this state and most things it has to offer, I must say that I'm impressed. These younger generations that the older ones regularly shit on are the ones attempting to make a difference out here. Good job 100 Oklahoma teens (and their parents) who care about the planet.

Here's more:

“It’s important to me because the deadline is approaching where things become catastrophic,” said Salcido, 18, who helped organize the event in Oklahoma. “Experts think in 11 to 15 years, things will be irreparable. I won’t even be 45 years old. That barely gives me the time to have a family, get a home or live the life that others have been privileged to (do).”

Though the group at the state Capitol was smaller than many across the country on Friday, Deer Creek High School senior and fellow organizer Lanah Hindsale said she believes every person counts.

“Our whole future depends on action,” Hindsale said. “The environment affects the economy, politics, human health. ... It’s amazing to see a group of people come together for the same cause.”

When I was a teen, I was reading fantasy novels and acting out in theater and debate class. Meanwhile, these hundred or so students are giving the middle finger to lawmakers who don't seem to give a rat's ass. Thanks for making me feel like a schmuck who doesn't recycle.

At the end of the day, it really boils down to the education the students are receiving and how their parents view the issue. If students aren't being educated on climate change, why should they care? If their parents are the blissfully ignorant, country-bumpkin folk I've grown up with, they'll just call the rising Earth temperatures a reason to play with the front yard sprinkler.

From one person who's terrified about Earth bursting into flames to another, we salute you and the work you all are doing. Keep up the good fight and don't let the bastards on the hill get you down.

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