As I hurried across the road towards Queen's Park at 12:30 on May 24, my heart sank. Instead of the familiar sight of a crowd waving signs and the familiar sound of a voice coming through a loudspeaker, I was met with silence and emptiness. Had everyone run out of steam after that huge National Strike on May 3 (over 2,500 people)? Did they all stop caring?

Our first Climate Picnic had sun, music, flags, blankets, napping and lots of networking amongst people who are both experienced with and completely new to climate organizing. 

We have more coming up – one on June 1 in Ottawa (Climate Picnic - June 1) and one near Eglinton West Station on June 8 (Climate Picnic - June 8).

But what we really want is for EVERYONE reading this to host their own picnic – Maybe on July 1^st. So, here is a how-to guide for hosting your own climate picnic!

Toronto350
Extinction Rebellion Toronto
FridaysForFuture Toronto/GTA

Divestment and youth movements converge on Toronto office of Barclays Bank over fossil fuel finance

Friday May 24, 12:30 pm
333 Bay St, Toronto

On Friday May 24, climate activists from Toronto350, Extinction Rebellion Toronto and Fridays For Future Toronto/GTA will join a global action targeting Barclays Bank, Europe’s largest financer of fossil fuel industries. A rally outside 333 Bay Street, which houses Barclays’ Toronto business office, will be joined by youth-led Fridays For Future, who will march down Bay Street towards Union Station. The Barclays Bank rally is one of 37 taking place Friday and Saturday, in the UK, Frankfurt, Madrid and Toronto, coordinated by Momentum UK. The Fridays For Future march is one of over 1,200 school strikes in 107 countries to be held on Friday, as part of a Global Strike for Climate (photo by Orville Cummings).

On April 4th, Toronto350 teamed up with the Fossil Banks, No Thanks! campaign to lead a demonstration outside Toronto Dominion Bank’s Annual Shareholders’ Meeting. Toronto350 demanded that the bank’s lending and financing activities align with a safe climate. Independently, TD shareholders at the meeting considered a proposal to withdraw financing from greenhouse gas polluting projects. (Photo above by Milan Ilnyckyj).

Remarks delivered by Trudeau at a Liberal Climate Action Rally in Toronto on March 4th, were partly geared toward pressuring provinces that are resisting federal climate plans. Trudeau stated that climate change leaves us without any time to spare, that pollution should be paid for and that we are still waiting for a climate plan from the federal conservatives.

However, the contradiction between the existing government's climate plans and their continued support for fossil fuel extraction, prompted groups concerned about effective climate action and Indigenous rights to gather outside, in front of the Danforth Music Hall. The event was advertised for 6-8 and despite a temperature of -9 with wind chill, about two dozen protesters arrived in advance of six pm.

On November 17th, the People’s Assembly for Climate Justice held a day long event with workshops, panels and break-out sessions on topics that included Indigenous Sovereignty and Self-determination, Labour and Economics and Sustainable Alternatives. During lunch hour, in solidarity with the social movement  RiseUp Uk and Extinction Rebellion, a group led by Brian Young for Toronto350 staged a die-in. See the group, along with Jasper the dog, in the pictures below. 

On the map, at riseforclimate.org hundreds of events are filling up the continents! From the Californian coast to Papua New Guinea, from South Africa to Iceland, thousands of people are rising up to tell their local leaders they want a swift and fair transition to a fossil free world. The events include concerts, aerial photographs, sit-ins, screenings, forums and lemonade stands. They take place at community centres, libraries and public squares. This is creative, grassroots action, for the people by the people!