University students take up march in NYC

Image by Annette Bernhardt, courtesy of Creative Commons

Maria Lorenzino/Multimedia Editor

Last weekend, 11 University students rented two buses and made a 24-hour trip to New York City. Their goal was simple — to take part in one of the largest climate change marches in recent memory.

About 400,000 people were present Sunday, Sept. 21 at the People’s Climate March, a protest held to demand action from the United Nations on climate change and other environmental issues. The march took place before world leaders met on Tuesday to discuss coal pollution.

Members of the University’s Growth of Leadership, Academics, and Diversity in Ecological Sciences put together the trip for FIU students and other members of the community to create a coalition between the university’s environmental societies said Gabriel Benavente, an English and philosophy senior and member of GLADES.

“We’re trying to form unity between environmental groups on campus,” said Benavente. “That way when we came back from New York we’d have a group of people who are as excited as they were in the march to do something about the issue at hand which is bringing clean energy to campus.”

Benavente gave a speech on campus sustainability the day before the march at the youth convergence, an event led by the People’s Climate March organizers.

Shalimar Moreno, a junior and environmental studies major and member of GLADES, joined Benavente at the march, where both felt empowered by the movement and the people around them.

Shalimar Moreno, a junior in environmental studies, walks at The People’s Climate March in NYC on Sept. 21. Image courtesy of Natalie Reyes/FIUSM Staff

“There were people from indigenous tribes, students, and people from other countries that had flown in. Everyone came together,” said Moreno. “We all believe that something needs to be done.”

In solidarity with those in New York, about 100 people marched in downtown Miami on Sept. 21.

Sam Van Leer, founder of Urban Paradise Guild, a Miami based organization dedicated to re-creating native habitats in urban areas, said that the objective of Miami’s march was identical to New York City’s.

“It was to put climate change in front of people, politicians and make it plain that Miami cares about climate change,” said Van Leer.

“We need to change how we live and how we think. Miami is the most vulnerable city on earth.”

According to the federal government’s 2013 National Climate Assessment, Miami could see a 24 inch increase in sea level by 2060, threatening the existence of the city.

Kenneth Feeley, associate professor of biology, says Miami’s population and proximity to the ocean make it vulnerable to the rising sea level. But Miami’s biggest threat is the porous soil the city rests on.

“We’re living on top of a giant sponge,” said Feeley.

Nancy Scanlon, an associate professor at the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, whose work focuses on environmental management guidelines for hotels and resorts, also blames Florida’s limestone shelf. “The water just comes up. It’s not just rising. It’s coming up from underneath Miami.”

Human-influenced climate change has reached irreversible levels, according to a document leaked from the UN in August. But something can still be done to slow down the effects.

“We can’t stop what’s going on,” said Scanlon. “The only thing we can do is reduce the impact. We need to rebuild the infrastructure.”

Both professors agree that demonstrations like the People’s Climate March turn public opinion to political action.

For Benavente and the other students who marched in New York City, Miami’s future is uncertain.

“That’s why we decided to make that known in the march. We’re students from Miami who have a serious concern and we have a really valid reason to be there,” Benavente said.

Vincent Rives contributed to this article.

maria.lorenzino@fiusm.com