Students take to the streets for climate action

Students from primary and secondary schools across Barbados filled the streets of Bridgetown on Thursday morning, their voices echoing through the city: “Beyond talk! More action!”

The Student Climate March, held under the theme Beyond Talk, More Action, formed part of Day 2 of the Barbados Youth Climate Action Summit, organised by the Ashley Lashley Foundation.

The march began at Queen’s Park and saw students carrying hand-painted placards with messages like “Rising Temperatures Rising Action” and “The climate is changing, why aren’t we?” calling for greater awareness and commitment to protecting the environment.

Founder of the Ashley Lashley Foundation, Ashley Lashley, visibly energised by the turnout, shared her excitement before the march began.

“I’m so excited,” she said. “This is the second time the foundation is hosting a student climate march, and I think what I’m most looking forward to is seeing the students come out with their climate messages for more climate action.”

She noted that the initiative aims to encourage youth involvement in climate advocacy: “It’s just to cultivate the necessary sensitisation and awareness amongst our youth – for them to understand that they have a voice in protecting the environment and shaping the actions of tomorrow.”

Students from several schools, including Grantley Adams Memorial Secondary, Lester Vaughan School, St Giles Primary, St Ambrose Primary and West Terrace Primary, joined in the march. Along the route, they chanted together: “Climate action, who’s it for? For we future, that’s for sure!”

Lashley also highlighted the growing concern among students about rising temperatures and their impact on learning. “Many of them have recognised that classrooms are becoming extremely hot as a result of the increase in heat,” she explained. “So what we really want to do is just spread that awareness message, that climate change is here and it affects all of us.”

At the closing of the march, participants were thanked for their involvement and treated to refreshments. As the music truck rolled away and students headed to their buses, one chant lingered in the air: “This is our future, we gotta act now!”

(LE)