Hundreds of thousands of people in more than 90 countries are expected to take part in demonstrations this weekend to protest about the failure of governments to action on the global environmental crisis and climate change.
This weekend will see many thousands of environmental activists, campaigners and ordinary concerned global citizens from more than 90 countries take to the streets in protest against inaction over climate change.
Organisers say more than 800 events – from marches to street theatre, acts of civil disobedience to mini festivals – will take place in towns and cities amid growing frustration at the lack of meaningful political action over the emerging climate breakdown.
Nick Bryer from campaign group 350.org which is organising the event says: “Politicians are failing. They are still protecting the interests of the fossil fuel companies over the interests of people, despite mounting evidence of the devastation these companies and this system is causing the planet.”
He said the day of global demonstrations was about people around the world “rising up and demanding a different cause of action, a different future which puts people and a sustainable future before the interests of these huge corporations”.
One such event will take place in Auckland, from 10:30-12:30 (local time), Saturday September 8, Auckland Museum on the Domain. Organisers say coal mining will be on the agenda, questioning its need at a time when the world needs to start transitioning to clean energy.
There will also be several events taking place in Australia at the weekend. “Australia is already feeling the impacts of our changing climate. We are fighting bushfires in winter, suffering a crippling drought, and scientists fear the first-ever incidence of back-to-back of coral bleaching of the Great Barrier Reef during our next summer. Our country has so much renewable energy potential, yet we export climate change in the form of coal and gas to the rest of the world. Australians want climate action and today we are rising to demand real leadership,” says Blair Palese, CEO, 350.org Australia
One of the biggest protests is expected in Paris where up to 100,000 people are expected. Events in other European cities including Copenhagen, Brussels and Lisbon are also expected to attract tens of thousands of protesters.
The events come ahead of the Global Climate Action Summit that starts in San Fransisco next week and will see politicians and city leaders from around the world gather to discuss the climate crisis.
