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On foot, by bus and by truck, thousands of Albertans headed to the grounds of the provincial legislature in Edmonton, attracted by the Swedish 16 years old leader Greta Thunberg, who is trying to convince governments around the world, to take action on climate change.
With a turquoise parka, the environmental activist marched among the hundreds of people along several main roads in downtown Edmonton, ending in the Alberta Legislature, where hundreds of people waited to greet her cheerfully.
Once on the podium she expressed inspiring phrases and words, such as:
"Today is Friday", "And, as always, we are on a climate strike."
"Young people around the world are sacrificing their education today to draw attention to the climate and the ecological emergency."
"And we are not doing this because we want to." "We are not doing it because it is fun. We are not doing it because we have a special interest in the weather or because we want to be politicians when we grow up."
"We are doing this because our future is at stake."
"We need to start treating this crisis as a crisis," she said: "Because you can't solve an emergency without treating it as such."
"And if you think we should be in school, we suggest you take our place in the streets. Or better yet, join us so we can speed up the process."
It should be noted that the event convened in front of the emblematic building included prayers, passionate speeches by indigenous and non-indigenous youth, and a performance by Chubby Cree, an indigenous group of hand drums.
Thunberg made a special thanks to the young and indigenous leaders at the demonstration, saying "you are the hope".
Her speech touched on many of the issues for which her cause has become known, such as: the need to pay attention to science, the need for developed countries, such as Sweden and Canada, to lead the way to reduce their emissions and allow developing countries to have the opportunity to increase their standard of living and the desperate need to do things quickly.
While the young environmental activist has become the global face in the fight against climate change, and despite the popularity that her cause represents, unfortunately the representatives of the Alberta government were totally absent of her rally.
In fact, while the march and protest was taking place in Edmonton city center, Prime Minister Jason Kenney appeared at the Keephills power plant, to mark the completion of a 120-kilometer pipe that will begin to provide natural gas to replace coal power generators.
After this shocking difference in the perception of the world, I cannot help wondering, if it will be possible for these two opposite visions to reach an agreement, because unfortunately for the moment it seems like Alberta will continue to pursue the production and exploitation of fossil and non-renewable fuels.