The UN Climate Change Conference (COP 26) felt a bit remote this week. Even though tens of thousands of people have descended up on Glasgow, the area where I live and even the center city have been fairly quiet. While out for an errand this week, I only saw one small protest, some scattered signs and a very nice mini-exhibit of nature-inspired handwork. (Okay, granted, I didn’t venture to the area near the conference itself.) I got most of my coverage on the news.
That was until yesterday. On Friday, there was a substantial protest led by youth and yesterday, many different groups descended on Glasgow (and many other cities around the world) to impress upon leaders the urgency to act now.
Organizers say that there were 100,000 of us just in Glasgow yesterday. I joined marchers in a block of people dedicated to restoring nature and biodiversity, but there were so many different groups present throughout the march – people who had traveled from areas already severely impacted by climate change, those concerned with food and agriculture, energy and even surfers concerned about the state of the oceans, among just a few.
View of the Biodiversity block 
Lovely tapestry 
My placard for the march – didn’t fare too well in the rain 
I loved these three bees! 
View of the Scottish Nationalists 
Scottish brother of Grizzly Adams? With paper butterflies in his beard. 
People along the route – clanging pots and pans in support. 
Royal Society for Preservation of Birds had their mascot in stunning puppet form, the avocet. 
The avocet was carried in high winds by this brave crew.
It was such an awesome experience to join with others to voice how important it is to protect this dear planet and its creatures. Were we heard? I don’t know. But if we each took in some inspiration to continue holding leaders accountable and for taking some further action in our own lives, we could make a difference.
P.S. If you haven’t heard Sir David Attenborough’s speech to world leaders earlier this week, I highly recommend it. I’m so glad he was named the “People’s Advocate” for the conference.