A Liberal Arts and Sciences major from Burlington joined tens of thousands of people who gathered in Midtown Manhattan on Sept. 17 to demand that world leaders quickly pivot away from fossil fuels dangerously heating the Earth. 

Amelia Kearney joined other members of Sunrise Movement, a youth led, national organization that works on building youth power and pushing for climate policy and legislation, to travel to New York.

“As a young person, the climate crisis is something that will greatly impact my future and the future of so many others around the world. It is an issue that needs to be addressed and drastic changes must be made,” she said. 

The ire of the crowd was directed at President Joe Biden, who was in town to speak at the United Nations General Assembly session that began Sept. 19.

“We’re asking Biden to stop permitting new fossil fuels and declare a climate emergency,” said Kearney. “Being in such a large action and surrounded by so many other young people working to make the world a better place was an incredible experience.”