Yesterday was World Environment Day, the United Nations’ principal vehicle for encouraging awareness and action for the protection of the environment.
In these pandemic times, the local #FridaysForFuture youth group celebrated in a way that’s become familiar to many lately — through a Zoom meeting.
The Sudbury teen that helped to organize the event says she is excited a recorded version of the broadcast will be viewed around the world.
The local event, which took place Friday afternoon, has been published on the website of Youth for Environment, the official youth engagement mechanism of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
It was also broadcast as part of larger virtual World Environment Day celebrations by the group We Don't Have Time and the UN Environment Programme.
“I am utterly excited to have our broadcast go across the world so that people can see that a small city like Sudbury can make a difference,” said Sudbury climate activist Sophia Mathur.
She said the recordings of local #FridaysForFuture Zoom events only usually get about 100 views, and with the international attention, there’s a potential for the event to be seen by many more people.
The 13-year-old took part in Friday’s Zoom broadcast from Tom Davies Square, where she set up a display of parachutes that have been decorated with environmental themes by local youth.
Friday’s Zoom event was attended by many of Greater Sudbury’s politicians, including Mayor Brian Bigger, all of the city’s MPs and MPPs and Senator Josée Forest-Niesing, along with local youth and other interested citizens.
Mathur said World Environment Day is important, especially this year, as it’s crucial to continue to raise awareness of the environment during the pandemic.
