Hi, I’m Bekah Vigil. I’m 24 years old and I’m here today because I’ve been looking for the people in Tampa ready to take climate change seriously. And here you are.
Three years ago I graduated from The University of Tampa with a degree in Environmental Science and an awareness that humans are killing the planet. It had became obvious how we’re distracted from seeing the damage to the natural world we cause.
I started to do what I could to help the planet. I tried to find a job where I could talk to people about climate change, and didn’t find any in Tampa. I tried to find communities of people to talk to about climate change, but there were few. I felt alone and terrified with more and more facts being released about the state of the climate.
Today, I feel different. I feel empowered and optimistic. Because of what school kids are doing to defy adults expectations of you and to demand a better future.
A few days ago, I was talking to my step dad about how impressed I am by the youth climate movement. By people like you all. I was raving about your courage, your dedication and how much of an impact your strikes are making across the planet.
He listened, and responded, “well it’s easy for them. They have nothing to lose. They have food when they get home and a bed to sleep in.” I know he means well, but he’s wrong.
We, in fact, have everything to lose. And despite that, we’re here today because we know we also have an opportunity. An opportunity to be on the right side of history.
Standing here now, I’m overwhelmed by a optimism. It’s a glow inside of me as warm as the sun and it is such a relief given the despair and depression trying to take root in my bones.
That optimism is only possible with the energy that we all brought here today. And I truly believe it has the power to keep us motivated to do whatever we have to, to get the world back on track.
Seeing all of your smiling faces is so wonderful. There’s young people here, and there are also a few older folks. This is an important moment to appreciate what every single person can bring to this movement. We will all be working together to make change in our communities, and we will realize how much we have in common when we ask each other about what motivates us.
The older folks in the crowd have wisdom, and insights that can help those of us that are eager and energetic to navigate a confusing world of politics.
That, to me is the revolution. Everyone working together. Everyone doing their part. And everyone being willing to lift up the person next to them and keep working towards our vision.
We know what we have to lose, and now we get to tell the world what we have to gain.
Good paying jobs in renewable industries, resilient communities, justice for the natural world.
You all are showing the world that it’s possible, and that you want it.
Keep your hearts open and your voices ready. We have a lot of work to do.
Onward!