Oklahoma student warns: 'Our planet is dying. This is time to panic'

1/ An estimated 1 million young people in 128 countries skipped school Friday to demand stronger climate policies in what may be one of the largest environmental protests in history. https://t.co/d05RCAplaf #ClimateStrike pic.twitter.com/njSwAWsg1i

— Vox (@voxdotcom) March 15, 2019

"It is very important that strikes and marches take place in fossil-fuel producing areas of the country, like Oklahoma," says Oklahoma high school senior Luke Kerr. "We are showing the rest of the country that we can fight for climate."

“This is not a rally,” says student Max Salcido. “This is a strike.” As The Oklahoman reports ("Students gather at Oklahoma State Capitol to plead for action on climate change"):

Part of an international movement of students, Salcido addressed the crowd demanding they speak up about the impacts of climate change. ... Across the nation, thousands of students left their classrooms on Friday to call for swift action to prevent or mitigate the effects of human-caused global warming and climate change. ... 

“It’s important to me because the deadline is approaching where things become catastrophic,” said Salcido, 18, who helped organize the event in Oklahoma. “Experts think in 11 to 15 years, things will be irreparable. I won’t even be 45 years old. That barely gives me the time to have a family, get a home or live the life that others have been privileged to (do).” ... 

At the demonstration, speakers gave action plans for how best to combat climate change and demands they wanted of the government in a possible “New Green Deal.” ... Fellow organizer Rebecca Yanez, 19, believes addressing climate change with progressive, sweeping ideas could help stem the tide and prevent potential disaster. “I’ve been raised with the mentality that if you see something wrong you have to do something about it,” Yanez said. “I’m a first-generation American, and I believe that the youth is going to be able to change the country for the better.” 

Salcido was cheered on as she urged middle school, high school, and college students to get proactive. Telling them to call their representatives and demand action. “Normal can only go on if we act normal,” she told the crowd. “Our planet is dying. This is time to panic.”

In other news, here are some other hysterical environmentalist claims that didn't pan out.