A group of environmentally-conscious Storm King students and faculty recently traveled to New York City to make their voices heard about climate change. Members of the SKS Green Team and others participated in a Global Climate Strike, led by Fridays for Future NYC, in the borough of Brooklyn, on Friday, March 25. Senior Theresa G. ’22 organized the trip along with faculty member Gerard Prunzion.
“Climate change and environmentalism are things I have always been passionate about,” explained Theresa. My chemistry teacher, Mr. Prunizion, is also very active in matters relating to the environment. We worked together to gather 20 volunteers from SKS to join in the march among more than 1,000 participants in the event.”
“The idea behind the strike was to have students from all over the New York City area protest against environmentally-harmful systems and demand policy changes. Multiple high school-aged speakers talked about how climate change disproportionately affects minority groups, specifically that of Black, Indigenous, and Hispanic communities, and cited their own experiences of how environmental issues have affected their personal lives. It was amazing to witness the sheer amount of support for the strike and its cause, from drivers honking their horns in rhythm to our chants, and people banging pots and pans through the windows of their apartment buildings,” continued Theresa.
Junior Nina G. ’23 also participated in the march and shared her experience: “We met in front of the Brooklyn Borough Hall. Guest speakers and students voiced their issues with decisions made by the New York City government. Their main critique was the construction of the North Brooklyn pipeline. I learned that its construction caused poor neighborhoods to relocate due to the increasing rates of asthma in their younger populations. To confront this issue, we decided to join the strike across the Brooklyn Bridge, not only for the protection of our Earth but to stand up for the people who were affected,” explained Nina.
“To be on the Brooklyn Bridge with so many people my age in support of the same movement was exhilarating. I made friends with students, speakers, influencers, and photographers who all shared the same interests as me. The atmosphere was full of excitement, demand, and purpose,” Nina continued.
“I am very concerned about the repercussions of climate change and how it will affect our youths’ future. I am also aware that many young people are anxious about this subject and feel helpless,” explained Mr. Prunzion following the event. “Some of our students were engaged by making t-shirts and posters, while some brought props. Otto (Schweppe ’22) even brought a clock to represent the fact that the time to act is running out. One of the main points raised was the need for a change in public policy as well as individual behavior. I think what the students got most out of the experience was learning that they are not alone in their concerns. Otto summed it up best when he was called back after getting ahead of the SKS group and replied, “I need to be with my people.”
A special thanks to Theresa, the SKS Green Team, and Mr. Prunzion for organizing the trip, the SKS Photo Club for taking photos, and all of the SKS volunteers who participated!