Hundreds rally for Calgary Climate Action March

CALGARY – In the midst of a provincial election campaign, activists say they want party leaders to address the issues of accelerating climate change.

Hundreds gathered at City Hall Sunday afternoon for the Calgary Climate Action March, then walked to Eau Claire Plaza.

Louis Koutis from the Calgary Climate Action Network said it wasn’t a protest but rather a march to show support for a transition to clean renewable energy.

“Alberta can step forward and be a world leader in the development of wind, solar and geothermal energy,” Koutis said. “Alberta can also be a leader in the significant reduction of fossil fuel extraction.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Alberta can step forward and be a world leader in the development of wind, solar and geothermal energy," Koutis said. "Alberta can also be a leader in the significant reduction of fossil fuel extraction."

Koutis says there’s been silence from most candidates in the provincial election campaign on climate change.

Liberal Leader David Swann attended the march to show his support for the issue. He says it’s the reason he joined politics.

“This is the most important issue of the century. This government has been neglecting it for 40 years. This is the issue that people need to care about and change this government over. Put a real price on carbon. Phase out coal in our province and get serious about alternative energy and conservation,” Swann said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "This is the most important issue of the century. This government has been neglecting it for 40 years. This is the issue that people need to care about and change this government over. Put a real price on carbon. Phase out coal in our province and get serious about alternative energy and conservation," Swann said.