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She’s spent years demanding climate action in the streets. Now, she’s taking that fight to the courtroom.
For Shirley Barnea, joining Montreal’s massive 2019 climate march was a turning point. What began with joining her school’s Green Team years earlier became organizing weekly strikes, helping plan major climate marches, and discovering just how powerful people can be when they act together.
Now, Shirley is bringing that same determination into an entirely different arena: the courts.
She’s one of three young litigants suing the Canadian federal government, arguing that it's failed to meet the requirements of its own climate accountability law. Their goal isn’t compensation. It’s accountability – and a credible plan to meet Canada’s climate target.
Her story is also a reminder that movements don’t rely on just one kind of action.
People organize. Laws get passed. And when those laws aren’t followed, people can use them to demand more.
Shirley wants others to see that their own role can look different too – whether that means organizing, pushing for change locally, taking legal action, or simply refusing to stop showing up.
Meet Shirley and read his full story at the link in our bio!
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Meeting the Moment is our 20th anniversary spotlight series celebrating 20 Climate Reality Leaders around the world and the many ways they’re turning awareness into action.
