On Friday, April 19, K College students participated in a Fridays for Future event – the Kalamazoo Climate Rally! Fridays for Future began when Greta Thunberg began a school strike every Friday – now, it’s a global movement with thousands of people taking action each week (Fridays for Future, 2024).
This past Friday’s action event was a special one. Hosted by Western Michigan University’s Climate Change Working Group and the Ardea Youth Climate Coalition, students and community members came together to peacefully protest for our right to a healthy future. K students began marching from Red Square; they soon joined forces with WMU students near Michigan Avenue, and continued walking and demonstrating all the way to Bronson Park.
Once at the park, the students were joined by community groups like Citizen’s Climate Lobby (who advocate for policy-based climate solutions and political accountability), and the Kalamazoo Climate Crisis Coalition (composed of people and organizations from all around the city who are working to fight the rise of greenhouse gas emissions). K students tabled to talk about the Environmental Stewardship Center and ECO Club, and even had the chance to give speeches.
The Climate Rally was a great way for K students to show up for an important cause, to make our voices heard, and to be in community with other folks who are actively making sustainable change in our city. However, our work isn’t done now that the strike is over! Click on the drop-down below to find info about how to get involved with the groups behind the Rally.
Get involved with climate action in Kalamazoo!
Calendar of Fridays for Future events in Kalamazoo – join the Kalamazoo Climate Crisis Coalition for virtual and in-person FFF events every week!
Kalamazoo Climate Crisis Coalition – learn about who the Coalition is, and how to get involved with events like climate change bookclubs, policy advocacy, and more.
Citizens Climate Lobby – interested in the connection between carbon emissions, climate change, and politics? Learn more about the CCL chapter in Kzoo!
Environmental Stewardship Center – get involved with the Kalamazoo College Environmental Stewardship Center, where you can work on climate action projects, get outdoors, and help make our campus more sustainable!
ECO at K College – learn more about one of our campus’s student orgs, join them for weekly meetings and work hours, and join the student movement for sustainability.