Anyone driving past the main branch of the Bethlehem Area Public Library Friday afternoon would have been taken aback by the crowd that had assembled at Payrow Plaza. Many of the approximately 150 people were holding signs addressing the issue of climate change. In addition to local climate activists, there were some parents and their children. There was also a sizeable group of students from Lehigh University who were representing multiple clubs on campus concerned about climate change.

Anita Forester, a Northampton Community College professor, arranged the demonstration and other groups got on board.

Multiple speakers addressed the crowd. Ashley Barasso, a student at NCC and president of the Climate Action Network at the college’s Bethlehem campus, articulated the demands of climate change activists. She wrapped up her presentation with the observation that “together we have the power to make change, and it all starts here today.”

Tara Zrinski, a faculty member at NCC, is also a member of the Northampton County Council. Her interest in climate change is reflected in the fact that she has been appointed to serve as council liaison on recycling and solid waste.

Several speakers urged the audience to take action against climate change. Among the suggestions were “go vegan,” or at least cut back on meat consumption, control the human impulse to be wasteful, stop using fossil fuels, move toward 100 percent renewable energy, post on social media about the climate situation, plant your own food and call your elected officials.

Some speakers led the crowd in chants, such as “What do we want! Climate justice. When do we want it? Now!”

All in all, it was a spirited event attended by people of all ages who are quite concerned about our planet and its inhabitants.