Local solutions to global problems were the focus of Saturday’s Climate Change March, which began at the campus of HSU and ended at the gold rush era plaza that centers this Humboldt County, California university town.
Protesters settled down in the sunny lawn to watch a line-up of speakers present ways that the area, famous for it’s ancient redwood forests and marijuana-fueled economy, could become a world leader in reducing carbon emissions.
Home to the ecologically managed Arcata Community Forest, a world famous waste-water treatment facility that uses the local marsh system to naturally filter sewage and cutting edge parking lots that allow rainwater to soak into the underlying soil instead of running off into the bay, Arcata is already the little city that can when it comes to ecological solutions to pressing environmental issues.
The line-up at Saturday’s protest included talks about veganism, which could drastically reduce the carbon footprint of humans and is doable on a daily basis and a breakdown on confronting the 1 percent who owns the redwood forests locally. Humboldt County is home to some of the last remaining stands of old growth redwoods on earth, a forest system that dramatically counters global warming by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen.
Other silent protesters held up signs with the flag of the Marshall Islands displayed. This island nation risks completely disappearing under rising sea levels if global warming is not stopped soon.
For Fhyre Phoenix, a long-time Humboldt County resident, activist and homeless advocate, a new flag that would represent the rising ecologically awareness and the worldwide community devoted to it is an important issue. He displayed several versions of a multi-colored flag based on a star design to the crowd.
“The star is a universal symbol to cultures all over the world.” he told Digital Journal.
For many in attendance, the Climate Change March and gathering was a chance to show solidarity with other citizens of the world that share the same concerns.
Meanwhile in Paris, the climate change talks continue, although the U.S – one of the largest producers of greenhouse gasses – is still divided on how serious of a problem climate change really is.
Aerial photography in this article was provided by Douglas Thron, an expert drone pilot and real estate cinematographer.
