From their rocking chairs, United Church seniors among those who raised a clamor about climate on Parliament Hill
The Seniors' Climate Witness brought together people of faith of all ages and allies in a national climate witness caravan that culminated in Ottawa during the opening of Parliament in September. Sitting in rocking chairs that lined the walkway to the doors of Parliament, together they called on the Government of Canada to reject new fossil fuel pipelines, uphold its climate commitments, respect Indigenous rights, and invest instead in a safe, clean and livable future for future generations. It was an opportunity to live the words of A New Creed: “We are called to be the Church, to celebrate God’s presence, to Live with respect in Creation.”
Protestors affiliated with United Churches nationwide included: David Swann (Hillhurst United), Bill Darnell, Richard Dimontigny, Patricia Lane (Oak Bay United), Laura Stewart (Harmony United), Rev. Dr. Jessica Hetherington (Rothwell United), and Mary Ann Jansen. Co-organizer Darnell, also a founding member of Greenpeace, has worked to prevent climate warming for decades, and offered some thoughts about the efforts of the Seniors’ Climate Witness.
What was the instigating factor for this caravan?
My eight-year-old grandson asked his grandmother, “Do you think it is going to be a good future or a bad future?” How did we let it come to this? That question, which is on the minds of many his age, sent me on the journey. [Co-organizer] Michael Polanyi and I, and other members of faith and environmental communities, talked about using non-violent civil disobedience to pressure governments and corporations to reduce the use of fossil fuels. As seniors, we have experience organizing and being members of groups.
The idea of direct, non-violent action was like poking a hole in a balloon, it turned the frustration and despair many of us feel into action. I discussed the idea with climate colleagues at Oak Bay United Church [in Victoria] and the national office. Are we crazy? It turned out the idea is inspiring.
What would these seniors say to the children whose pictures hang around their neck, or any young adult anxious about living in this world?
I and 16 others, deeply worried about our children’s future and that of all life on earth, followed the examples of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King: we broke the law and risked arrest in order to implore Members of Parliament to vote against spending billions of taxpayers’ money on another pipeline.
When I left and returned, I got the biggest hugs from all of my grandchildren. In answering their questions, I tell them that we don’t know what the future will bring. We are doing what we can to make it a good future. The one thing they can be certain of is that they won’t be alone; we will be together, whatever comes.
Tell us about the rocking chairs.
Despite science confirming that the earth is warming and experiencing the results in more powerful weather systems, governments continue to expand the use of fossil fuels, the largest factor changing the climate. After decades of petitions, education, demonstrations, conversations and action plans, there is little leadership at the provincial, national, and international levels.
The rocking chairs show that we are seniors. We have a wise perspective honed by experience. We are not in a hurry. We are not violent. We are not going away. We love all the world, and we are here to protect it. We are not going to tolerate behaviour that endangers us all.
Where does faith fit into the climate conversation for you and your fellow protesters?
All faith traditions work to be in a respectful relationship with all we share this planet with. My faith shows me that humans in community are deeply connected to each other and to our more-than-human kin. We are in relationship with all the earth. We share the benefits and the responsibilities of these relationships. This allows me to stand against what threatens the future of those living on earth.
What does protest mean to you?
I have been arrested twice, both around climate activities. I don’t think of it as protest; it’s bearing witness to bad behaviour by governments or corporations. Their activities can’t stand the light of public scrutiny.
I keep doing it because it’s more successful than violent activities against injustice. I do it because I am more successful working with others than I am alone. It’s fun. I meet lovely people. It’s better than being alone in my room trying not to worry.
For more on the Seniors’ Climate Witness and to join their future efforts, check out their website, photos and videos of the protest, and a blog written by Rev. Dr. Jessica Hetherington (subscribe to her blog to read more). Learn more too about the on the church’s call for climate leadership.