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Youth Climate Strike for Action happening in SLO 

–On Friday, students and from around San Luis Obispo will strike from school and rally outside the San Luis Obispo County Government Office to demand aggressive action on climate change.

As with the previous strikes and rally on March 15 of this year, the San Luis Obispo strikes and rally will join with youth around the United States to strike for real climate action.

Students from around the county will be coming up to San Luis Obispo. What they share is greater than a concern for their futures: it is outright alarm. What they demand are serious plans to limit global warming to 1.5 °C , which we have 12 years to achieve (per the IPCC’s Special Report on Global Warming in October 2018).

From 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., students, young people, and supporters from an variety of local organizations will rally outside the SLO County Board of Supervisors Hall, hear moving narratives from locals, sign petitions, write letters, meet with local politicians, submit comment cards, demonstrate with songs and signs, and deliver a proposed action plan. The students are demanding bold climate action for to fairly and justly decarbonize the our economy and reduce GHG emissions. Local action in the plan includes the recognition of a climate emergency, the cessation of fossil fuel extraction, action on resiliency, adaptation, and preventive measures to aid marginalized communities, and more.

“Growing up in a coastal city, I realize that my home and the landscapes I hold dear are victim to sea level rise,” said 17-year old striker from Morro Bay High School Audrey Mchlish. “The foundations of Morro Bay- the fishing industry, agriculture, and tourism- are vulnerable, and therefore our community is vulnerable. Climate change is degrading the precious ecosystems and wildlife that we are so privileged to live amongst. It is our duty as a community to be tenacious in our efforts to protect the home that we cherish.”

The rally boasts the support of a number of local organizations which share the strike’s commitment to climate justice and the living planet, including the SLO Climate Coalition, SLO Progressives, Climate Reality Project San Luis Obispo, Sierra Club, Central Coast Sunrise Movement and numerous collegiate clubs and organizations.

Fossil fuel production and infrastructure continues to spread in Central California, endangering the futures of people everywhere and undermining the state’s decarbonization efforts. According to Phill WIllon from the Los Angeles Times “​Close to 900,000 Californians live within a half-mile of an active oil or gas well, with the vast majority in Los Angeles and Kern counties, according to a study by the Environmental Defense Fund.

“Why study for a future which may not be there?” said activist Greta Thunberg. “School children are required to attend school. But with the worsening climate destruction this goal of going to school begins to be pointless.”

Those wishing to attend the rally, participate in its organization, or contact the organizers can reach the organizers via the facebook event ​https://www.facebook.com/events/1101476856720112/.​

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The news staff of the Paso Robles Daily News wrote or edited this story from local contributors and press releases. The news staff can be reached at info@pasoroblesdailynews.com.