Climate vigils in Uptown Waterloo aim to foster hope amid the crisis

As climate change continues to threaten millions of people around the world, local environmental advocates are providing a space for people to gather to process their emotions.

Every Friday, members of Divest Waterloo, 50by30WR and Faith Climate Justice WR host what they have dubbed “climate vigils” at Waterloo Public Square.

These aren’t climate change protest but rather a place for deeper reflection in solidarity with like-minded individuals.

Isaiah Ritzmann is a member of Faith and Climate Justice WR. He told The Mike Farwell Show that it’s easy to feel despair over the state of the environment.

“Towns that are burned down. Weather that destroys communities. Major Hurricanes. The climate emergency is already here. And, we know it’s going to get worse. And, we know in the future, both for ourselves and our neighbours abroad that climate change will bring immense suffering.”

He went on to say that this is the exact reason the vigils exist. With so much doom and gloom, people need a place to work through their feeling in a communal setting in an effort to renew their spirit.

“Hope is believing and holding on to the fact that even though the odds are against us, there are still things we can do. Still actions we can take on an individual and collective level and still policies we can push for and transformations in our system.”

He went on to say, “I think those of us who have participated (in the vigils), it does become a meaningful ritual, a meaningful way to be in community around these feelings and hold on to this moment together.”

The vigils take place every Friday, 8-9 p.m. until November 29, 2024. At Waterloo Public Square (on King St. south of Erb)