Students demand climate action from Eugene, EWEB, University of Oregon

Alan Torres, Eugene Register-Guard
·1 min read
Marina Moyce, 17, from South Eugene High School, center, joins other students from across Eugene at a rally at the Wayne Morse Free Speech Plaza in Eugene as part of a protest to end the era of fossil fuels.
Marina Moyce, 17, from South Eugene High School, center, joins other students from across Eugene at a rally at the Wayne Morse Free Speech Plaza in Eugene as part of a protest to end the era of fossil fuels.

About 150 students from high schools and middle schools around Eugene, and adult supporters, hosted a rally as part of the Global Climate Strike on Friday afternoon.

"I'm a senior. I'm supposed to be planning for my future," said Rye Butler-Corbett, a student at South Eugene High School. "When I think of the future, I think of fire. I'm scared for my family and friends and future generations. ... Listen to our planet."

The demonstration was one of five across the state in solidarity with the Global Climate Strike, a day of action organized by the youth-led Fridays for Future.

Demonstrators had several calls to action, including:

  • For Eugene City Council to encourage electrification and stay on track toward emissions goals.

  • For the Eugene Water and Electric Board to apply for Inflation Reduction Act funding to develop green energy.

  • For the University of Oregon to electrify its boiler system, and for businesses to not stand in the way of these initiatives.

High school and college students from across Eugene march to the Wayne Morse Free Speech Plaza as part of a protest to end the era of fossil fuels.
High school and college students from across Eugene march to the Wayne Morse Free Speech Plaza as part of a protest to end the era of fossil fuels.

On their way to the county administration building, the group protested in front of the Chamber of Commerce and the Funk/Levis and Associates advertising agency, for their involvement in the eventual repealing of the city's proposed ban on gas infrastructure in new homes.

Mayor Lucy Vinis spoke in support of the protesters. "If cities act on climate, we will change the world," she said. "Electrification of transportation, better appliances and housing, cleaner homes, working with commerce and industry to make those energy conservations and clean energy adjustments: that is the work before us this year."

On Wednesday, Eugene city staff will present city council with an update on the city's climate progress.

Signs lean against the trees at the Wayne Morse Free Speech Plaza in Eugene as part of a protest to end the era of fossil fuels.
Signs lean against the trees at the Wayne Morse Free Speech Plaza in Eugene as part of a protest to end the era of fossil fuels.

Alan Torres covers local government for the Register-Guard. He can be reached by email at atorres@registerguard.com or on twitter @alanfryetorres

This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Students demand climate action from Eugene, EWEB, University of Oregon