'There's simply no planet B'

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KNYSNA NEWS - With millions of people from an estimated 185 countries taking part in the #GlobalClimateStrike on Friday 20 September, about 50 Knysna residents took to the streets for a protest of their own.

A little over a year ago, a 12-year-old Swedish pupil by the name of Gretha Thunberg took a stand against climate change and the pollution of our environment by encouraging young people to make their voices heard.

Her movement gained global popularity and carried enough water that 12 months later, millions of young individuals dragged their parents and other adults out into the streets to take part in one of the largest global climate-change strikes in recent memory.

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Knysna's own contingent and participants in the worldwide movement were brought together by Chris Auret, an artist and activist who organised the protest after hearing there was nothing happening in Knysna related to the movement.

"I read about the global plans and looked for the nearest strike to us and realised the nearest one is only in Plettenberg Bay, and I couldn't have that," said Auret, who works part-time at the Pachamama Forest Restoration Retreat. "I knew that if no one else was going to organise something, I definitely had to."

Passers-by were encouraged by protesters to start caring.

Thus, on Friday 15 September, Auret signed up to the global movement and began spreading the word of the protest planned for Knysna, to begin at 12:30 at the intersection of Long Street and Waterfront Drive, and right on time, people began gathering for an hour of protesting.

"I was surprised to see how many people pitched up considering how late we began organising the protest, it really is great to see how many people care," Auret said.

The protesters received large-scale support from motorists driving past, hooting and waving at the activists who kept up the vibe thanks to a group of drummers.

The group dispersed an hour later, hopefully planting the seeds and spreading some awareness about the looming global threat.

A group of about 50 people took part in Knysna's version of the Global Climate Strike. Photos: Blake Linder