Seniors for Climate Action Now (SCAN) held a protest outside a Royal Bank of Canada branch in Kingston, Ontario for the second year in a row, targeting the bank’s investments in fossil fuels. Collaborating with other local climate action groups, SCAN managed to divest over $3 million from RBC in the past year. The group’s efforts have led RBC to announce that they will bring forward a motion in their annual general meeting to uphold prior informed consent, a key issue in the battle against the Coastal Gaslink pipeline by the Wet’suwet’en people in British Columbia. SCAN’s mission is to inspire seniors to take action, and they credit the support of younger activists from Queen’s University and local high schools for their successful protest.
Nancy Nicol, a member of SCAN, acknowledged the invaluable contribution of younger activists in organizing the protest, bringing energy, skills, knowledge, and abilities to the campaign against RBC’s fossil fuel investments. Local high school student Abbie Miolee, founder of the LaSalle Secondary School Earth Club, highlighted the importance of multi-generational efforts in the fight for climate justice. She emphasized the need for older generations to support and guide younger activists, noting that while the climate crisis is often seen as a young person’s problem, it requires collective action across all age groups. Miolee expressed her desire to live sustainably but fears that without significant action on climate change, this goal may become increasingly difficult to achieve.
The protesters are advocating for a shift towards renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power, advocating for “panels instead of pipelines.” They believe that the fossil fuel industry, while profitable, is detrimental to the environment and will not provide a sustainable future. The protest in Kingston was part of a larger movement, with approximately 40 similar events taking place across the country. RBC’s annual general meeting is scheduled for April 11 in Toronto, where SCAN and other climate action groups will continue to push for divestment from fossil fuels and a transition towards clean energy.
The collaboration between SCAN and other climate action groups, as well as the involvement of younger activists, highlights the importance of collective action in addressing the climate crisis. By divesting from fossil fuels and advocating for renewable energy sources, the protesters are pushing for a sustainable future and demonstrating their commitment to combating climate change. The support and guidance provided by older generations to younger activists is crucial in fostering intergenerational cooperation and ensuring a united front in the fight for climate justice. The protest in Kingston and other actions across the country reflect a growing momentum in the climate movement and a determination to hold institutions like RBC accountable for their environmental impact.
As part of their ongoing efforts, SCAN and other activists are calling for a transition to renewable power sources like wind and solar energy, emphasizing the urgency of moving away from fossil fuels. By engaging in protests and divestment campaigns, they are applying pressure on institutions like RBC to prioritize sustainability and address the harmful effects of their investments in fossil fuels. The protest in Kingston serves as a microcosm of a larger movement for climate action, demonstrating the power of grassroots activism and the potential for change when individuals come together to advocate for a more sustainable future. The upcoming annual general meeting of RBC presents an opportunity for activists to further their demands for divestment and renewable energy, showcasing the ongoing commitment to combatting climate change and promoting environmental stewardship.
