‘Biggest ever’ climate change demo

A coordinated worldwide protest on climate change this weekend will be the biggest ever event of its kind, according to organisers. Marches and demonstrations will take place in more than thirty countries to coincide with the ongoing UN climate change conference in Montreal. While some 15,000 protesters are expected at the main event in Montreal on Saturday, campaigners will also take to the streets of a host of other cities on the day including London, New York, Sydney, Seoul and Moscow.

The key objective of the protest, supported gloablly by a wide collection of environmental and humanitarian organisations, is to urge the US and Australia to ratify the Kyoto Protocol, and for international governments to develop workable emissions reduction programmes and policies.

The London event will involve a march past the ExxonMobil offices, the Australian Embassy, Downing Street and will culminate in a rally and series of speeches at the US Embassy. Former UK Environment Minister Michael Meacher, Green MEP Dr. Caroline Lucas and the journalist and campaigner George Monbiot will be among the speakers.

“US obstructionism has come at a price that future generations, all around the world, will pay and the price tag for the failure of world leaders to take effective action at Montreal could ultimately be measured in billions of lives,” said Phil Thornhill, National Co-ordinator of the Campaign against Climate Change.

“Given the US position, the role of the UK in pushing forward the Kyoto process has been critical and Tony Blair’s apparent reversal of 15 years of British support for an effective treaty with binding targets has caused deep despondency and alarm. In all this gloom the beacon of hope represented by the emergence of a global movement to push for urgent action on climate shines all the brighter. Never has there been a greater need for such a movement.”

For more information on the campaign, including a full list of cities where events are taking place,  click here