Medfield Families Participate in Boston Youth Climate Strike

It's estimated that more than 4 million people participated in the Sept. 20 Youth Climate Strikes around the world, with a number of Medfield residents among them -- whether in Boston or other locations.

A group of parishioners from First Parish Unitarian Universalist of Medfield was among the estimated 10,000 Boston Youth Climate Strike demonstrators at Government Center. Medfield mom Jessica Razza and her children were part of the First Parish UU group.

"I brought my three kids to the Strike, and the event impacted them for sure, especially the older two. I believe it made the issue real to them, and not just something they hear grown ups talking about," Razza shared.

Medfield members of the Charles River Green Coalition also participated in a Climate Strike-related family demonstration on Gay and High Streets in Westwood the morning of Sept. 20. A number of Medfield High School graduates also participated in Youth Climate Strikes near their college campuses or where they live.

It's no surprise that environmental and gun reform issues have been especially galvanizing for teens worldwide. School shootings and gun violence have inspired thousands of students to participate in rallies and marches, and recent statements by Swedish teen Greta Thunberg helped to mobilize youth around the world to advocate for climate change out of fear for their own future on the planet, as well as future generations.

Studies show that adults across the country share the concerns of youth. A 2019 Washington Post-Kaiser Family Foundation survey indicated that 76% of Americans consider climate change a major crisis or problem.

And in a separate effort, the issue of guns was cited as the second most important to teens (behind immigration) based on a recently released study by Stanford Graduate School of Education in which it analyzed more than 11,000 letters written by youth prior to the 2016 presidential election.

And here in Medfield? While not nearly as scientific as the Post and Stanford research, an informal Facebook student poll so far reflects national studies with environment/climate change and gun control currently noted as students' top two concerns.

For anyone who wants to learn more about gun reform and violence prevention efforts, the Medfield Democratic Town Committee will be addressing the topic on Wednesday, Oct. 16 with a guest speaker from Moms Demand Action. The event kicks off at 7:15 p.m. at Ice House Restaurant at Kingsbury and is open to the public -- Medfield students included!