The Global Climate Marches have commenced with over 60,000 people marching for action in Melbourne, Australia today - the largest climate event of its kind held in that country. Over the weekend, hundreds of thousands of others around the world will take to the streets in more than 2300 events in 150 countries to turn up the heat on leaders heading to the Paris Climate Summit on Monday.
Frontline community representatives, unionists, faith leaders, and families will call on politicians to forge an ambitious new global climate agreement this December that speeds up the just transition from fossil fuels to 100% renewable energy and protects vulnerable people from worsening climate impacts. The people’s call for leadership will be harder and harder to ignore.
With the major march in Paris cancelled due to security concerns following the horrific terrorist attacks which occurred there on November 13, French activists are calling for people around the world to march in their name, in solidarity with them.
No matter what, citizens’ voices will be heard throughout the Paris Climate Summit which runs from November 30 to December 11, 2015 - including in the streets of the French capital as activists explore creative ways forward. The Summit is set to deliver a comprehensive climate agreement which should scale up the transition to 100% renewable energy.
The Global Climate Marches happening around the world will be a symbol of the unshakeable resolve of the movement working for a safer, fairer and cleaner world.
Highlights include:
Schoolchildren will be joined by singer songwriter and activist Charlotte Church, fashion designer and campaigner Vivienne Westwood, actor and political activist Vanessa Redgrave, poet, spoken word artist and playwright Kate Tempest, singer-songwriter, musician and activist Peter Gabriel, and the band Massive Attack in the London march
In India, Global Climate Walks are planned in seven cities featuring yoga, biking, and marching. The main activity will be in New Delhi, where on Sunday morning, people from across society will join together for the climate.
In Kampala, Uganda, 500,000 people are expected progress through the city led by popular local leaders and celebrities and topped off with a concert, all while Pope Francis is in town.
Across The Philippines, over 20 events, marches, and rallies are planned. In Manila, 20,000 people are expected to converge in Quezon City as part of a broad march with six contingents: climate-impacted communities, faith organization, youth, labor, anti-coal and renewable energy.
More than 60 events are planned across China with students coming together for a series of events including round table discussions, bike rides, screenings and more. While in Hong Kong, Taipei and Seoul hundreds are taking to the streets to demand a just transition to 100% renewable energy. And in Vietnam, a big climate music festival is planned, bringing together more than 1500 youth.
In Japan, major actions will happen in both Kyoto and Tokyo. Each march will feature several live performances, as well as a mass photo action where people will come together as individuals to form one collective image.
Across the United States, marches will take place across the country -- from Los Angeles to Austin, to Washington, DC up to New York City, thousands will gather in creative, art-filled actions in the name of climate justice!
Events are planned in Egypt’s two largest cities (Cairo and Alexandria) where thousands will be running to raise awareness on climate impacts and call for urgent climate action.
In Ottawa more than 10,000 will be marching for climate solutions and justice, while in Vancouver indigenous leaders will be heading a march joining the global call for climate action.
Sâo Paulo, Brazil will see a huge gathering on Paulista Avenue where the representatives of different movements will bring forward their climate solutions. The congregation will start marching towards one of the city´s iconic parks where speeches and music will cap off the day.
In Germany, the streets of Berlin will throng with people calling for a 100% clean, renewable future and a quick phase-out of coal.
Global spokespeople and media contacts:
To hear more about the Global Climate Marches as they develop, please feel free to connect with the following spokespeople and their media contacts. We can also connect you with the contact points for activities in your local area, or check this spreadsheet for more.
Kumi Naidoo, Executive Director, Greenpeace International
After the attacks in Paris, in Beirut, Bamako and so many other places, the hope must be that the world will come together at the UN climate talks and express its belief in our shared humanity. Before every climate summit it is our great desire that nations work together in a spirit of human cooperation, and Paris is no different. Greenpeace has been committed to peace since its birth. Real meaningful action on climate change would make our world a safer place.
Contact: Tina Loeffelbein, [email protected], +49 151 167 209 15
Rachit Sharma, India Coordinator, Action/2015
Addressing climate change, and ending poverty and inequalities are two sides of the same coin. We cannot deliver sustainable development without tackling climate change, and we cannot tackle climate change without addressing the root causes of poverty, inequality and unsustainable development patterns. If leaders want to fully implement the newly adopted Global Goals, tackling inequality and ending poverty within a generation, they will need to fairly transition their economies from fossil fuels to 100% renewable energy.
Contact: Priyal Pillay, [email protected], +27 (0)73 354 2813
Wael Hmaidan, Director, Climate Action Network International
Unprecedented numbers of people are coming on to the streets because they know that we have solution to this crisis - we've kickstarted the move away from fossil fuels in cities, communities and businesses around the world. Now it’s time for leaders at the Paris Climate Summit to agree to speed up the fair, funded transition to 100% renewable energy for all.
Contact: Ria Voorhaar, [email protected], +49 157 317 35568
Nicholas Haeringer, Campaigner, 350.org
We can think of few better responses to violence and terror than this movement’s push for peace and hope. There couldn’t be a more important time to work for climate justice, and the peace it can help bring.
Contact: Hoda Baraka, [email protected], +20 100 1840990
Emma Ruby-Sachs, Deputy Director, Avaaz
"It's even more important for people everywhere to march on the weekend of November 29th on behalf of those who can’t, and show that we are more determined than ever to meet the challenges facing humanity with hope, not fear.”
Contact: Bert Wander, [email protected] +44 796 801 7731
Alix Mazounie, International Political Lead, RAC France
We call on people across the world to join in and march for us in solidarity, to express our demands and echo our voices.
Contact: Ria Voorhaar, [email protected], +49 157 317 35568
Juliette Rousseau, Coordinator, Coalition Climat 21
We realize the gravity of the situation in Paris, but now more than ever, we need to find creative ideas to call on people to unite around climate action. If we don’t act, who will?
Contact: Meryl Sotty, [email protected], +33 (0) 6 33 15 0493
Visuals
Creative commons high resolution photo and video assets of the Global Climate Marches will be collected throughout the weekend and will be available at:
· Photo feed (best of): http://bit.ly/1NsWhqa
· Photo feed (all marches): https://www.flickr.com/photos/138237908@N08/sets/72157659347712914
· Photo & video feed: www.avaaz.org/climatephotos
· Video feed: http://bit.ly/1OgCNUA
You can also track the Global Climate Marches online via the hashtag: #climatemarch
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