DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – Friday was Global Climate Strike Day featuring worldwide protests that stretched from Melbourne, Australia to Washington, D.C. to Dawsonville, Georgia.

Three days ahead of a United Nations climate summit, millions marched to demand world leaders take action to combat climate change. Their lofty demands include zero carbon emissions by 2050 and no construction of coal-fired power plants.

In Dawsonville, the North Georgia Conservation Coalition, the Dawson County High School Go Green Club and Greening Georgia — the environmental caucus of the Democratic Party of Georgia — carried signs and passed out environmental literature in front of City Hall.

Roxie Fricton and friends strike to protect environment

Seventeen-year-old Roxie Fricton said, “This is just one of the events were doing around Dawsonville to let people know even here in Dawsonville we care about the planet.”

A senior at Dawson County High School, Fricton has become the face of conservation on campus. She started the Go Green Club last year. While she does find herself in solidarity with those calling for climate change, her approach was to start small.

“I know it’s hard to effect change on a large scale, so I decided to start at my school,” she said. “We got rid of Styrofoam cups, plates and bowls at all the district’s schools.” She also said she is working on placing recycling bins in the high school.

Fricton encourages people to stop using plastic straws at restaurants. “Plastic straws end up in the landfill and stay there until the end of time,” she said.

“I know the citizens of Dawson County really care about our future,” she said. “We’re relying on our parents and grandparents to feel the same way we do.”

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