SALISBURY — Fifteen Catawba College Environmental and Sustainability students supported the “Fridays for the Environment Movement” in Charlotte recently with Greta Thunberg as speaker.

The Swedish student began a worldwide movement in support of more conscientious governance and critical decision-making in response to the climate changes with her Friday strikes. She seated herself outside of the Swedish Parliament building each Friday instead of attending school to show the importance of the issue.

Elementary, middle, high school and college students joined the Friday school strikes, with Sept. 20-27 becoming Global Climate Strike Week. Universities, local government officials, non-profits, for-profit entities, and community members from many diverse regions participated.

Dr. Mercedes Quesada-Embid, associate professor of environmental policy and advocacy, and Kelly Flanigan, department coordinator and adjunct ENV instructor, facilitated and organized the Catawba students’ participation on Nov. 8.

Catawba students who attended included Grace Brennen, Kyle Donnely, Lauren Stevens, Nina MacKinnon, Eleanor King, Chance Ratliff, Paula Ernst, Sandra Abbey, Amira Carter-Cyrus, Simone Trentin, Joel Hildebrandt, Andrea Garrido-Lecca, Audrey Schuler and Taylor Fair.

More than 1,200 people participated in the multicultural, multiethnic, multigenerational and multidisciplinary event, showcasing the overlapping intersections among social, economic and environmental issues. The Catawba group wore Catawba College ENV clothing, produced and manufactured in climate-friendly organic cotton and eco-inks.